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

Population problems

The rising population in our country is responsible for our poor standard of living. It is the cause of many other problems too, including depleting resources, water levels and forests, overcrowding, shortage of housing and employment. Spiraling fuel prices, accidents, power shortage and poor governance are also the result of the growing numbers of people. Aristotle has rightly said that a large increase in population would bring "certain poverty on the citizenry and poverty is the cause of sedition and evil."

AK Joshi, Amritsar

Show must go on

The Wagah border massacre in which 61 persons died and many were injured by a fidayeen attack on visitors to the daily beating retreat ceremony on the Indo-Pak border recently was a mindless attempt to scuttle ‘Aman ki Asha’ by fundamentalists. The incident must be an eye-opener, particularly to the sympathisers of Pakistan. While India must strengthen the visitors’ security, the evening show must go on as usual to keep alive the hope for peace.

Brij B Goyal, Ludhiana

Neutralise Pak

This bears reference to the article “Pakistan's military adventurism” by G. Parthasarathy (October 23). Instead of tackling the multiple economic and security problems it is faced with, Pakistan is bent upon escalating tension on its borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India. Even its allies such as China and the USA have expressed serious concern at Pakistan's unbridled support to cross-border terrorism unleashed by Sunni groups. Intolerant of India's new economic, diplomatic and security policies, the Pakistani army and ISI often find different ways to needle it.

It is time the Modi government took some tough measures to neutralise Pakistan's malevolence. It should ensure that the Assembly elections in J&K are not disrupted. It should use all diplomatic channels to de-escalate the tension between the two countries. Also, the government should not enter into any sustained dialogue with Pakistan unless there is an assurance that it will not sponsor terrorism against India. We must be prepared for any kind of military adventurism by Pakistan.

DS Kang, Bahadurpur (Hoshiarpur)

Hinduising society

This has reference to the article “Hinduising a secular society” by Kuldip Nayar. Nayar is well known for his outbursts against the Hindu religion and the BJP through his articles which are published regularly. It is strange that Nayar is oblivious of the hateful speeches against the Hindu religion by the likes of Owaisi. Through such articles, it seems that the newspaper is party to throwing dirt and filth on the Hindu society and religion.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Help Dalits

The article “Hinduising a secular society” (October 29) by Kuldip Nayar highlights the issues of Dalits.

The RSS chief has not reacted to the burning of Dalit houses in Mirchpur village of Hisar district or the torture of Dalits at Gohana in Sonepat, Salwan in Karnal and Harsola in Kaithal. Many Dalit families of Mirchpur are still living in tents in a farmhouse after leaving their native village. They are unable to earn livelihood or send their children to school. Those who had returned to Mirchpur are facing hardships in getting jobs in the fields for want of support from the land-owning upper caste people.

The RSS chief should take up this issue with the newly elected BJP government in Haryana. PM Modi should launch a movement for eradicating untouchability and discrimination against Dalits. This will help integrate the Hindu society.

RK Poria, Sonepat

Bias against Hindus

It seems that The Tribune is discriminating against thousands of Hindus of Punjab massacred by Sikh terrorists during the 17 years of militancy from 1978. While many reports and articles against the 1984 anti-Sikh riots have been published, there is not a line in favour of the Hindus who also lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. Even the government has huge funds for the Sikhs, but not a penny for the Hindus. It is a shame to all political parties and the media.

Ashok K Dhawan, Jalalabad

No sense of duty

The secret of all developed nations is that their people have a sense of duty. But, unfortunately, we Indians believe more in talk than work. We have so many holidays. Pope has put it aptly: "I slept and dreamt that life was beauty, I woke and found that life was duty."

Prof Vijay Sheel Jain, Ludhiana

Disability pension

It was happy news in August, 2012, when the Chandigarh Bench of the AFT ruled that the concept of broad-banding of the disability element of pension shall apply to all disabled armed forces pensioners, regardless of their manner of leaving service or completion of the mandatory period of service. For the purpose of calculating disability pension, disabilities less than 50% are to be considered as 50%, between 50-75% as 75% and above 75% as 100 per cent. This policy is known as broad-banding.

Unfortunately, the Defence Ministry has not extended this benefit but is fighting the case against its own soldiers in the Supreme Court.

H/Capt Jagdish Chand (retd), Narola (Mandi)

Hockey golds

It was a proud moment when India won the prestigious Asian Games hockey final by beating arch rival Pakistan in the penalty shootout. Congratulations to the captain, Sardar Singh, and his team, especially goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. It was India’s third gold in Asian hockey after 1966 and 1998. With this win, India get a direct entry into the Rio Olympics in 2016. In the 1966 team, nine players were from Punjab and in the present team, seven players were from Punjab and one from Haryana. The credit goes to coach Terry Walsh and assistant coach MK Kaushik. Kaushik was also the coach of the 1998 winning team.

Efforts should now be made to ensure a good performance in the Rio Olympics. India last won the Olympic gold in 1980. But it cannot be termed a good win since most of the European teams had then boycotted the Olympic Games. Before that, India won the Olympic gold in 1964 in Tokyo and the prestigious World Cup in 1975 when Ajit Pal Singh was the captain.

Pritpal Singh, Patiala