Poll results

The BJP’s performance in Haryana and Maharashtra portends well for economic reforms. Modi has launched labour reforms and initiated diesel price deregulation and a moderate hike in gas prices. Elections are now due in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. Delhi looks easier as the image of the Aam Aadmi Party has deteriorated.

Harish Monga, Ferozepur

Murrahs in politics

The news report of the owner of a bull from Meerut (a 1400-kg Murrah named Yuvraj) refusing to sell it even for Rs 7 crore since he sells the bull’s semen for Rs 50 lakh a year is certainly an envy.

We need such Murrah Yuvrajs in our politics also. In Indian mythology, a sexually potent bull is an expression of Lord Shiva’s cosmic creative energy. The bull sits quietly at every Shiva temple, reining in his bestial instincts.

Brij B Goyal, Ludhiana

Ethics in politics

Apropos the article “Haryana elections smash a myth” by Dr DR Chaudhry (October 28), Haryana politicians need to build an ethos of people before self . Once that is done, the root cause of all problems — the all-pervasive corruption — will be checked.

The khap panchayats need to be isolated. Haryana has to improve socially and open up its mind towards women and modernity. It cannot afford to gloat in orthodoxy and ‘chaudhar’ of any one particular caste. It is an opportunity for the Khattar government to improve the social indicators. The call of the hour is ethics in politics.

Col RD Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt

Cut holidays

With reference to the report “Govt pulls out of anniversaries” (October 19), the decision of the Central Government to observe only the annivesary of Mahatama Gandhi and cut out all other such occasions, is a wise step. The government should also cut down the large number of holidays.

The Punjab Government should also follow suit and observe the anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh only. It will save money as well as time of the state and enable it to do serious business.

Hardish Kaur Sandhu, Amritsar

Too many holidays

Reference the news report “Curtail list of holidays in PSUs” (October 23), the Punjab Students Union has rightly said that schools and colleges are open for very few days in a year. Similarly, government offices are closed on 52 Sundays, 52 Saturdays and 37 holidays a year, apart from the summer and winter breaks in some institutions. As a result, very few days are left for work, causing hardships to the general public. The number of holidays should be reduced.

Paul RP, Jalandhar

Martyrs’ memorial

This is with reference to the report “HC seeks state’s reply on demand for memorial” (October 18). Numerous places, including the Muzang House, where the great sons of India planned revolutionary activities have been left behind in Pakistan. The few places available in Punjab deserve to be preserved. Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Batukeshwar Datt often stayed at a double-storeyed house in Turhi Bazar in Ferozepur. It should be converted into a memorial.

Surinderjit S Sandhu, Amritsar

Afforestation needed

The blame of the floods in Uttarakhand last year and J&K this year falls on our government/system which has done nothing for rainwater conservation in the last 60 years. The British planted huge forests in hills, but we have done criminal deforestation on a large scale, leading to these calamities. Afforestation and rainwater conservation must be taken up on a war footing.

NC Toor, Canada

King of cue sports

The king of cue sports in India Pankaj Advani (29) has added to his glorious crown by outplaying former champion Peter Gilchrist in the 150 up points format World Billiards. He became the holder of three different world titles in 2014: the IBSF World 6-Red snooker title, the World Team billiards title and now the World billiards championship (point format). Interestingly, though the government has bestowed on him the Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padma Shri, he gets very little coverage in our media, unlike cricketers. Kudos to Advani.

Bidyut K Chatterjee, Faridabad