‘Shagun’ shame

The government invented a way of helping poor brides by providing them Shagun. But this scheme is encouraging the dowry system, ruining many a life. The money disbursed last year proved to be hell for many girls. They lost their homes as their in-laws didn't get the promised Shagun money, many got married in their teens so that their poor parents could get relief from arranging for dowry. If the government wants to help people, it should facilitate jobs to youth without having to give bribe or having links with the powers-that-be. The parents also should understand their daughters and not impose decisions on them.

Only parents can make their children’s future by broadening their own thinking and making the children aware of right and wrong. By 2025, India is predicted to be the youngest country of the world, but with rampant drugs, unemployment, illiteracy and corruption, only a handful of persons will be left to be proud of India. Will this be our incredible India in 2025?

Neena Chawla, Aur

Mid-day meals

The Mid-Day Meals scheme was launched for improving the health of schoolchildren. The ‘Chalo School Chale Hum’ slogan showed positive results in curbing illiteracy. A few days back, BJP councillor from Chugguti Manjiender Singh Chattha complained of stale meals being served to children. Former minister and MLA of the area Manoranjan Kalia along with senior administration officers rushed to the spot. News of stale meals or those having worms or insects often make headlines.

Why is the Department of Health not taking a serious view of unhygienic meals served to schoolchildren? Who is responsible for the lapse? It should be the responsibility of the school head to ensure the quality of the meals. The kitchen should be clean and safe drinking water provided to the children. If the school heads cannot do so, the amount of mid-day meals should be transferred into the accounts of the children or the government should amend the rules and allow fruits, branded biscuits, bread and butter to be distributed to the students.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru, Jalandhar

Self-attestation good

The government decision to formalise self-attested documents for making submissions is laudable. It is a big relief to the people who had to, till now, run from pillar to post for procuring attested affidavits (“A nuisance called affidavit”, July 17). The editorial has rightly pointed out that people are often forced to buy stamp papers of higher denominations due to perennial shortage.

Babus had made affidavits a tool of avoiding decision-making and scaring away illiterate people. This dubious colonial legacy was introduced by the then rulers to guard against any fraud which they believed Indians often committed.

While Punjab and Haryana have introduced self-attestation, Himachal should follow suit without delay.

RM Ramaul, Paonta Sahib

Simplify more systems

Apropos the editorial “A nuisance called affidavit” (July 17), the practice of submitting copies of documents/affidavits attested by either Class I officers or notaries for procuring things like a gas connection, passport, telephone connection/mobile connection, ration card etc or to avail oneself of various government schemes or services provided by private or government agencies or for those intending to go abroad is indeed a cumbersome process. It taxes upon a person’s time and money, besides causing him mental stress and strain. The citizen-friendly move will obviate unnecessary tension caused to them.

I would like to bring to fore another problem faced by citizens. At the time of getting any change incorporated in original documents, like address change in a gas connection, telephone or mobile phone bill etc, bona fide citizens are required to submit photocopies of all original documents. As a result, a simple change in address at times takes months, causing unnecessary harassment. Further avenues for simplification in the system need to be considered.

Ravi Sharma, Jammu

PCS exam apprehension

This time, in the PCS mains exam being conducted at Punjabi University, Patiala, there is no provision for the signatures of invigilators on answersheets, unlike earlier times and in similar tests.

I am a candidate for the ongoing PCS mains exam. This is my third attempt. I also qualified for the IAS interview in 2008 and have given interviews of other state exams. When I brought this to the notice of PPSC representatives,they told me to write an email to commission, which I did on Saturday. The exams will end on July 30. For the sake of transparency and accountability and to allay any apprehensions, the authorities concerned must look into the matter.