MPs adopt villages

The SAGY (Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana) initiated by the government is good for our villages as it is free from clearances from the Cabinet for its implementation. The villagers who know the ground realities will work with the MP of their constituency in making a model village. The MP also gets an opportunity to do something on his own. It is our moral responsibility to participate in this ambitious village development project. The Prime Minister is also choosing a village in Varanasi.

RAGHU KALIA, NANGAL (Roopnagar)

Model villages

The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna (SAGY) launched by PM Modi is a good initiative towards making model villages. The idea of every MP adopting three villages of his consistuency is commendable and it will have a cascading effect on surrounding villages.

SAGAR SHARMA, Patiala

Scientists vs sadhus

Uma Bharti must leave the Ganga clean-up drive to experts and scientists and not listen to the sadhus on the matter. At a seminar recently, she said that electric crematoriums must not be used on river banks as the sadhus/relgious leaders do not approve of them because it is against our scriptures.

It is well known that half-burnt bodies are often thrown into rivers, causing bacterial pollution. The ruthless felling of crores of trees for firewood for burning dead bodies leads to emission of over seven million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

Electric or CNG crematoriums must be used. This will save trillions of trees, the most reliable guards of our environment from pollution. The concept donation of a body to medical colleges also needs to be popularised.

LJS Panesar, via email

Ganga mission

Public participation plays a pivotal role in jan andolan movements. Prime Minister Modi has diagnosed the problem by stressing the need of coordinated efforts in the implementation of cleaning the Ganga. Efforts to clean the Ganga have been on since 1985, but the time-frame of 18 years that the Modi government has given to the Supreme Court shows its commitment to the Ganga mission. In his speech in the USA recently, the PM tried to bring home this issue to NRIs. If everyone of us becomes conscious and tries to keep the surroundings neat and clean, the mission can work wonders.

Dr KD Lakhanpal, Bilaspur

Clean Ganga

I endorse the views in the editorial “Cleaning up the Ganga” (September 29). Cleaning the holy river Ganga means cleaning up the entire way of life in all the states through which the the Ganga passes. Indeed, cleaning the Ganga is a daunting task, but it is not impossible if all out efforts are made by the government with the co- operation of public. When the polio eradication mission was launched, there were many doubts about its success. Surprisingly, it achieved unbelievable and unprecedented success. The 118 towns situated on the banks of the Ganga should get a facelift to achieve the complete sanitation target. It includes the setting up of sewage treatment plants and projects to treat solid waste and agriculture refuse. Let’s join hands to make it a reality so that next generation could enjoy a clean Ganga.

RAJESH SHARMA, Jalandhar Cantt

Clean streets

The appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep our cities, towns and villages clean is praiseworthy. However, a visit to any street in our country reveals heaps of garbage strewn all over. They are supposed to be carried away by the municipal corporations and councils every day. How can citizens keep streets clean in this scenario?

The cleanliness campaign can be successful only if orders are issued to the authorities concerned to remove the heaps of garbage lying in the streets.

LD DEWAN, Ludhiana

Brave mother

Nahar Sheikh allegedly raped a seven-year-old girl in Kolkata last month. The FIR was lodged in the case by his mother Ainur Bibi. It is a rare example.

OP Garg, Patiala

Clarification

The heading “Jat land smashes polling record” (The Tribune 16 October 2014) evoked a mixed response from the readers. It used a popular expression for the people of the state and was not meant to identify the state with a particular community. The Tribune, as always, is the voice of the people of all communities.

Editor-in-Chief