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Retain PTU name
Having served as a teacher, including as Principal of Khalsa College, Amritsar, and Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, I deem it my duty to react to the news of changing the name of Punjab Technical University to Inder Kumar Gujral Technical University. Let us not forget that Punjab is a much bigger name than any renowned personality of the state. After the Partition in 1947, Panjab University, Lahore, went to Pakistan, but we established our own Panjab University because of emotions linked with our land. The word Punjab reflects our aspirations and emotions. Change of nomenclature amounts to burial of that sacred name of Punjab. Do we want to eliminate the name of Punjab Technical University from the list of world universities? Dr Gujral has been our distinguished Prime Minister and an illustrious son of Punjab. Having interacted with him, I know he was keen to establish a school of South East Asian studies and a school of journalism and mass communication on the pattern of Jamia Milia. I would suggest that these schools be set up and named after Gujral. Lastly, I do not find any justification or merit in establishing another technical university in the state. Prof HS Soch , ex-VC, GND varsity, Amritsar
Redefine job surety
The article “Time to redefine job surety?”
(July 27) is a comprehensive report on the implementation of the MGNREGA scheme. The main aim of the scheme is to provide 100 days’ guaranteed wage employment to the rural poor. But in villages, most of the people are not even aware of the scheme meant for them. Thousands of crores of rupees have been released by the government under this scheme, but as per the report, a major slice of funds meant for the poor has been siphoned off. Despite this, the government has again allocated ~34,000 crore in the recent Budget, which is almost the same as that in the last Budget. As regards the failure of Centrally-sponsored schemes, the main reason is that the schemes are framed by the Central Government on a uniform pattern for the whole country. The Centre and state governments should sit and decide upon a state's specific requirements. Also, funds are not received by the implementing agencies regularly, which results in delayed payment of wages and salary to the staff. It is quite disturbing that this major national programme (MGNREGA) is being implemented by temporary staff or those on contract. The government should plug the loopholes and check the malpractices. A PURA model scheme was proposed by the then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam in 2003. The idea was to provide amenities in rural areas along with employment opportunities. But the scheme was never implemented. It will be good if the the government revived this scheme. Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar
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Mode of selection The recent appointments of commissioners in Haryana for considerations other than merit is not surprising. It has been the trend not only in Haryana, but also in most states and the Centre. Haryana has not learned any lesson from the conviction of a former CM in a case of appointments not made on merit. Punjab has been doing the same for more than five years, particularly before the Assembly elections in 2012. At that time, the media remained silent as some of its clan were made to share the spoils. The same position will continue unless a law specifying the mode of appointments is enacted. Guramrit Singh, Muktsar Currying favour It is surprising that Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is in a hurry to appoint former bureaucrats and personal favourites to important posts, such as that of information commissioner. Jaiprakash Chaturvedi, via email Cleanse judiciary The extent of political interference in the judicial system is appalling. The exposure of corruption in the judiciary by Justice Katju is commendable. The judiciary is the last bastion of hope for the people when their rights are jeopardised. It is the backbone of the nation. Such instances of impropriety and doubtful integrity erode the faith of the people. The onus of cleansing the system lies on honest people serving the country at high posts. They must be strong enough to expose every single instance of impropriety and not let the system be eaten by corrupt swarms. Ayushi Sachdeva, Yamunanagar Fatal choice The report of National Health Profile 2013 indicating an upward trend in suicides in India is disturbing, more so since a majority of persons who choose death over life are below 44. Apropos the editorial “Fatal choices” (July 30), growing expectations, ambitions, stress and depression are eating into our happiness and taking away our peace. Parents, teachers, media and NGOs should try to infuse cultural values in children, specifically at the elementary education level. They should be taught that our culture does not appreciate the accumulation of wealth. It is in favour of achieving moksha through good deeds as it is believed that it is not material wealth but the wealth of good deeds that goes with us to the other world. ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar New Army Chief Apropos the news item “Grand reception awaits Gen Suhag at his native village in Jhajjar” (August 30), the appointment of Lt-Gen Dalbir Suhag as Army Chief should be a matter of cheer. I also belong to Haryana and being an Armyman, I realise how hard the general officer must have worked to reach this level. It is because of sheer merit that he has scaled to this coveted appointment, the first one from his community. It is also a fact that despite clear merit, many people from our community suffer because they are not upwardly mobile or smooth operators. Let's hope the Army restores its old glory and respect for veterans under its new dynamic Chief. Col R D Singh
(retd), Ambala Cantt
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