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

Cleaning Ganga

The Ganga is polluted to the extent of 3,000 times the safe limit fixed by the WHO. One billion litres of raw untreated sewage per day is dropped into it. Solid garbage is thrown into the river. To reduce the pollution, the government started the Ganga Action Plan in 1986 and the Yamuna Action Plan in 1993 and spent ~901.1 crore and ~700 crore, respectively. The government failed in this mission due to many reasons. In February, 2009, the government established the National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA) and proposed to work in the entire Ganga basin instead of adopting the earlier town-centric approach. On July 10, 2014, the Prime Minister allocated ~2,037 crore for the clean-Ganga drive.

All towns along the Ganga and its tributaries should install treatment plants for sewage and industrial effluents. Nobody should be allowed to defecate along the rivers and community toilets may be developed. Dead bodies of cattle and humans should be detained at various locations along the Ganga and religious associations asked to advise people not to throw bodies in the Ganga. The banks of all rivers of the basin must be repaired. For bathing and washing, certain locations along the river may be developed. Similarly, locations for mining of sand and gravel may be marked. The time schedule for the above project may be fixed and followed strictly.

Dr DS Taneja, Ludhiana

Shahpur kandi dam

The Shahpur kandi dam project was started on March 29, 2013 after a long wait of 10 years as the project had been cleared by the Central Electricity Authority and the Planning Commission in August, 1993. But it is a pity that all of a sudden, work was stopped on August 29, 2014 by the J&K government, the main beneficiary. This only hydroelectric project of the region was to generate 205 MW of power and provide water for irrigation in Punjab and J&K. The Punjab Government has already spent about ~400 crore and is incurring penalty due to the delay. The project must be restarted soon.

Er SK Mittal, Panchkula

Science park needed

A science park is necessary to promote science among young students. Faridkot city, an educational centre, lacks such a facility. The Baba Farid Sabhyacharak Kendra, once a hub of children’s activities, today wears a deserted look. This vast area equipped with planned roads can be better utilised by setting up a science park or being developed as a regional centre of Pushpa Gujral Science City. With this, students of Ferozpur, Bathinda and Faridkot divisions will get a chance to learn science through games.

Raj Kumar Aggarwal, Kotkapura

Policy for elderly

In his article “The Science and Art of Ageing” (September 11), Suresh Rattan appears to have dwelt upon only the chronological and biological aspects of ageing and ignored the psychological side. If one is socially useful and actively involved in productive pursuits, chronological age may no tbe bothersome. Of course, with age, one's ability to work/serve declines and that is why biological aspects are equally important. A publication of Central Statistics Office entitled “Situation Analysis of Elderly in India” reveals that 90 per cent of the elderly are physically mobile up to 75 years. Therefore, to incentivise the elderly persons towards leading a more purposeful and healthy life, the government must design an appropriate policy for them.

Janak Raj Gupta, Patiala

Happy ageing

Apropos the article “The science and art of ageing” by Suresh Rattan (September 11), a majority of aged people die unattended or for want of medical aid. Only the high strata of society can plan for a healthy old age. A few old age homes can't help. The attitude of securing the future of their children even a the fag end of their age spoils healthy ageing. We need sufficient old age pension, medicare centres and general awareness for happy ageing.

AS Anand, Ludhiana

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Remembering mother

“Maan rab hai; jafar jaaldi, bachey paaldi” (mother is God, she suffers hardships and brings up children), said cleberated Punjabi poet Prof Puran Singh (VS Chaudhri's middle “Remembering mother — Once a year”, September 11). The holy Prophet declared: “Pardise lies under the feet of your mother.” Christ showed great respect to his mother and before his death, he commended her to the care of his most trusted disciple. My Persian teacher regarded his parents as divine beings. When caught in a crisis situation, most people cry “haaey maan”. There is a beautiful saying: “Ammi ki dua, jannat kee hava (mother’s blessing is like the zephyr of paradise).

Blessed are the mothers, whose children show filial devotion to them. Otherwise, quite a large number of them are abused by sons and their wives.

Bhagwan Singh, Qadian