Etiquette missing

Our temples need the sign “Remove your shoes before entering”, ticket windows require a “Please maintain queue” sign and hospitals a “Maintain silence” board. Signs of “No spitting” are covered with red paan stains and heaps of garbage are found right below “No littering” signs. What are the people expecting the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or Members of Parliament to change? The change needs to come from within each of us. We should learn etiquette first and contribute something for society by an changing our attitude.

RC DHAND, Bathinda

Adjusting fit soldiers

The news that the Army is considering raising the age of retirement of soldiers is fraught with danger. It would weaken the cutting edge, especially in the fighting arms, which is a conglomerate of fit and fast soldiers and dashing young officers. If the Army wants that such a well-trained and disciplined human resource is not grounded well before its prime, it should do well by making assured lateral induction in the paramilitary forces, such as the BSF, ITBP, RPF, CRPF, SSB etc where they can serve till 58-60 years and fill the void that exists due to rising internal security threat by Naxals and terrorists.

As far as officers are concerned, their retirement age can be raised to 56-58 years across the board. The concept of re-employment should be done away with. It would ensure that the officer does not feel demoralised by being re-employed at a junior level appointment and is posted on non-operational or less sensitive posts.

Col Mahesh Chadha, via email

MSP hike meagre

The mere Rs 50 per quintal hike in the MSP of paddy announced by the Central Government is a cruel joke on hapless farmers. This is contrary to the BJP’s election promise of giving 50% profit on the actual cost of farming. Earlier, the Punjab CM used to raise a hue and cry when the UPA regime announced such raises. But now his silence is dubious and grievous to the poor farmers.

On the other hand, a package of ~400 crore has been given for the revival of sugar mills owned by wealthy politicians as a bailout.

Gurmit Singh Saini, Mohali

Education, not freebies

When we get food, shelter and aid from others free of cost, it makes us idle and affects our lifestyle. The best way to reduce poverty in India is to increase the literacy rate. Poverty cannot be eradicated by giving things free of cost, but with education of better quality, job assurance and good health facilities to the people. Success comes only with hard work.

Mohit Sharma, Mahilpur

Stop political wranglings

Apropos the news report “War of words goes on in Congress” (June 25), the high-pitched spat among Himachal Congress men after the party’s defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections is bursting at its seams. Instead of putting heads together to analyse their shortcomings, the leaders’indulgence in mudslinging is bound to cause an irreparable lose to the party. Both the government and the party should share the moral responsibility of the defeat. The warring politicians should appreciate that Himachal Pradesh is a poor state and cannot afford the luxury of political wranglings.

R.M.Ramaul, Paonta Sahib

Respect elders

The middle “O That Spark Of Life!” by Ramesh Luthra (June 27) touched my heart. We often witness the plight of old people. They are ousted by their children. Parents seem to be a burden for the children once they start their own families. They often forget that they could be treated in the same manner as they will also grow old one day. So‚ we should respect and love our parents. They deserve it as we can never repay the debt we owe to them.