L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Cruelty to cattle

This refers to the news “28 cattle die during smuggling bid” (July 24). Nothing can be more horrifying than to jampack 36 animals in a space for four in a container meant for transporting lifeless commodities. The cattle died of suffocation. Animals are the victim of institutionalised cruelty whenever they are exploited for profit. When the cattle cease to be productive, they are put to auction in squalors of cattle mandis or fairs. After sale, they are made to trot for days on hot dusty roads until they collapse from exhaustion. They are crammed into trucks or containers. They are rarely given food, water or rest during the long journeys. Many die en route. They are slaughtered with outdated blunt knives. This is the brief account of the animals’ painful journey to slaughterhouses. Only milch and healthy draught animals can be transported as per the procedure laid in the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978.

Now when the Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Bill for the protection of cows has been passed, cruelty to animals should be prevented firmly.

Dr Soshil Rattan, Amritsar

Money abroad: Idea, FM

For quite some time, the Government of India has been making efforts to get the details of Indians who have stashed black money in banks in foreign countries so that such funds can be brought back. This process was started during the regime of the UPA government. So far, the results have been minimal.

D S Walia, Jalandhar

Bond with govt

Let the government issue five years’ interest free-infrastructure bonds in the denominations of Rs 5,000 and Rs 1,00,000. Anybody could invest in these bonds without any limit and without disclosing his/her identity or the source of money. After five years, the maturity proceeds of these bonds should be deposited only in public sector bank accounts of the holders of these bonds, again without asking any questions. This would first give the government a huge amount of money for infrastructure investment and after five years when this becomes legal tender, it would be recycled in business or the industry, giving a massive boost to the economy of the nation, create large-scale employment and generate income tax and wealth tax in large amounts. For the investors, it shall free them from any persecution and after five years, there shall be enough wealth with them for investment in business. This way, it shall be a boon for the public as well as the government.

Dr PK Mittal, Abohar

Headless varsities

New Minister for HRD Smriti Irani has said: “Judge me by from my performance.” I draw her attention to an issue vital to higher education. As many as 13 of the 40 central universities don't have regular VCs. Though the new government has been in command for the more than a month, their appointment orders have not been issued.

Prof CK Sardana, Bhopal

Exams good for students

With reference to the news “Govt to restart board exams for Class V & VIII”, this step was the need of the hour. The Punjab Government has set a milestone in education after amending the Right to Education Bill. Passing all the students up to Class VIII compulsorily was decreasing the quality of education. Students were becoming indisciplined as they lost the fear of exams. Also the teachers were running away from their prime responsibility to teach students.The government must take steps to prepare students for competitve exams and self-employment.

NAVNEET SETH, Dhuri

Restoring board exams

The Punjab Assembly deserves applause for passing a resolution recommending the restart of Classes V and VIII examinations by the PSEB (July 19). This step will open the doors for quality education. The no-detention policy of the Human Resource Ministry had resulted in chaos in the field of education and the situation was required to be reined by the authorities.

BM Rawlley, Zirakpur

Values & education

Apropos the resolution in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha recommending the restart of Classes V and VIII examinations by the PSEB (July 19), I would like to underline how devalued education has become in Punjab as per the following: 1. Habit of reading and writing: zero; 2. IQ: zero; 3. Moral character: zero; 4. Discipline: zero; 5. Humility and decency: zero; 6. Vandalism, vulgarism, obscenity, indecency abusive language, lawlessness, drug-addiction, anti-social activities etc: 90%; 7. Hostility to parents and senior citizens: 90 %.

Sunder Singh Giani, Dialpura ( Mohali)

Shun Pinglish

For the past few years, The Tribune is showing downward movement on the front of linguistics and grammar rules. For example, refer to the recent news item “Govt takes sting out of Oppn's drug attack” (July 22). It mentions: “A mockery of the law is made when any accused takes the name of a politician.” ‘Taking the name of a politician’ should have been replaced by ‘naming a politician’. Please take care that the use of Pinglish is avoided.

I remember the good old days when as students we used to rely on The Tribune for correct use of words/phrases and grammar rules.

Surinder Kumar Jindal, Samana

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com