Save forests

The forest area in the vicinity of Shah Talai is being fed to fire. Careless attitude of the villagers is leading to the destruction of forest wealth. In summers, forests are an easy prey to stray burning twigs and cigarette or bidi stubs. People must behave responsibly, rather than put all blame upon the authorities. Can we not we bring home the point “Forests are there, therefore, we are”?

Student s of 10+1, +2, GSSS, Talai

Single girl child

The male-female ratio in Punjab is skewed. In our state, it is a known fact that a family with one male child is accepted. But only a few dare to have a single girl child and they should be encouraged. The Punjab Government has issued reservation for admissions in technical courses for single girl children, but there is no such reservation in medical courses, despite demand by the people. The future of girls will brighten up with this decision. Such steps will also go a long way in eradicating the evil of female foeticide and infanticide.

MANPREET KAUR, Faridkot

HP denied berth

Though the BJP has bagged four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, not a single MP has been given a berth in the Cabinet. A senior leader of the party deserves a post in the Centre.

Sub-Maj KC Sharma, Kangra

Taxing regime

While there is a reasonably fair mechanism to assess the salary income whereby the salaried class is a tax compliant segment, there is no fair tax assessment mechanism for the professionals and self-employed and the business class. As a result, the salaried class is taxed to the last rupee, but non-salaried income-earners go more or less scot-free. This should change.

S.C  Dhall, Zirakpur

Why mention caste?

Apropos the news report “Dalit lynched in Hisar village”, I feel there is no reason to mention the caste or community in a report unless it has a direct link with the case involved.

Some selfish politicians are already busy promoting the anti-social act of spreading castism.

BAIJ NATH, Bhiwani

Warrior state

I endorse the views expressed in the article “Warrior State, Pakistan” by BG Verghese (July 1) regarding Pakistan’s war with itself and it being a menace to the others. This will end only when its elite discard outdated strategies and ideas. The Taliban are more barbarous than the Nazis as they have powerful nuclear bombs.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

More trains needed

It’s a matter of concern that despite there being double railway lines, no passenger train runs from Dasuya to Jalandhar and Pathankot for more than eight hours: from 10 am to 7 pm. With bus travel being cost-prohibitive and keeping in view the plight of the poor, at least two passenger trains should be started during these hours. Dasuya railway station is in the middle of Jalandhar and Pathankot. It serves a large part of the area surrounded by semi-hills and bet. A cantonment is also situated nearby. Thus the new trains will greatly benefit a large section of the people.

B S Nagra, Dasuya

Joblessness & crime

There is a definite relationship between crime and unemployment. Robberies, thefts, extortions, rapes, murders, drug addition and liquor consumption are the order of the day. Snatching of gold ornaments and purses has become common. Unemployed youths, though well educated, commit crimes for money.

Karnail Singh, Kharar

Cooling effect

Reference the news report “Army men to don combat T-shirts in hotter areas” (July 1), I appreciate the government decision to give cool care and support to the armymen by bringing about a change in the combat dress in the scorching heat, especially in the border areas. This will inspire the great Indian Army by making the men feel easy in the summer temperatures that soar to over 47°C in some areas.

AMIT SACHDEVA, Ferozpur

Poor hockey show

The Indian hockey team, with successive humiliating defeats, has presented a pathetic show. The players’ poor planning, strategy and stamina, inability to convert penalty corners, fumbling in striking circle holes, lack of commitment and speed and politics in sports organisations have all led to this state of the game. Merit is ignored and selections are mostly based on favouritism. The calculations of Australian coach Terry Walsh also proved wrong and India finished ninth in the recent World Cup.

Dr H Kumar Kaul, Barnala