Rank for life

It is heartening to read that Capt Vijay Kumar has been named as the flag-bearer of the Indian contigent for the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow. But it is disparaging to refer him as Mr Vijay Kumar or Vijay Kumar alone. A paragraph from the Constitution reads: "Addressing a male military officer as Mister is disparaging. An officer earns his rank for life and can be known with no other title than the rank last held." The Constitution of India in Article 18 recognises the military rank as the title. An officer never retires.

COL K S Tapia, via email

Monument revival

This is in response to the article "Monument revival" (July 18). India is known all over the world for its rich culture and ancient monuments. It is the duty every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage. The government should form committees of local people to look after the cleanliness, protection and fencing of monuments. Industries causing pollution should be strictly banned in the 5-km radius of the monuments. Revival must be included in corporate responsiblity and tax exemption should be given to those corporate houses who want to spend money in this process. Otherwise, time will come when we will show our rich heritage in books and videos only.

Deepti Rao, Mahendergarh

Abolish child labour

A child's mind is like potter's clay. It has to be shaped in the right manner. Childhood is the best time to develop spiritual, intellectual and emotional support. But this rule of nature has been crippled by child labour. Every child has a right to enjoy his childhood. But some children are forced to work. Due to poverty, some parents make their children work to supplement the family's income. With this, a nation lose creative minds. Children are deprived of education. They are made to work under dangerous conditions. They are overworked and underpaid. This practice needs to be abolished.

VISHAL CHAURASIA, Jagadhri

Stem price rise

Earlier, onions brought tears in the eyes of people and now tomatoes have multiplied their tension. The prices of most household commodities have escalated vertically during the last few months, hitting the budget of the kitchen. While green vegetables have become a forbidden treat for the common man, the prices of pulses, wheat and sugar too have gone northward. The rise in fuel prices has contributed in worsening the situation. Ballooning inflation has given a crushing blow to the aam admi. The general public is grumbling, groaning and feeling grinded as the necessities of the life are becoming "touch-me-nots".

The spiralling rise indicates flaws in government policies. Hoarders and black-marketeers must be dealt with an iron hand. The enforcement authorities must take stock of the situation before it is too late.

Rajesh Bajaj, Chandigarh

Mansarovar yatra route

The Kailash Mansarovar yatra is undertaken by thousands of Indians from June to September every year. Mansarovar, a pure water lake, is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. This lake is situated 4,590 metres (15,600 ft) above sea level and is the origin of two mighty river systems — the Sutlej and Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) flowing in two different directions. There are two routes that go to Kailash Mansarovar: one through the Kuman region of Uttarakhand and the other via Kathmandu in Nepal. The traditional route that goes through the Dharchula Shiyalekh area in Uttarakhand has been followed. Its total length is about 1,000 km (700 km in India and 300 km in the Chinese territory). The geographical conditions on this route are indeed a challenge.

Recently, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his talk with the Chinese President Xi Jin Ping took the initiative to find an alternative route, short and more secure through Kinnaur (HP) which will help devotees. This route can be developed via Kala Amb (on the border of Haryana/Himachal, Mata Bala Sundri temple at Trilokpur, the ancient temple at Paddiwala.

Then in Nahan town ancient temples of Kalisthan and Shri Jagan Nath have great attraction. Renuka Lake, Renuka Mata Temple and Parshu Ram Temple attract devotees throughout the year. Bhangyani Mata’s temple in Hari Pur Dhar is also sacred. Haatkoti Mata in the Pubber/Rohru valley area attracts devotees. From Rohru the route can be connected with Rampur Bushahr, which is on the national highway to Kinnaur-Rikong Peo, Pooh and Shipki La pass and the Chinese territory. Mansarovar Lake is only 91 km from Shipki La Pass. This route would boost the economy in the region, especially tourism.

Dr LK Manuja, Nahan

Correction

“For brutal crime, how old is young?”, a report published in the paper on August 3, stated 28,238 adolescents aged 16-18 were arrested for sex-related crimes in 2013. The figure should have read 2,838, according to NCRB statistics.