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Unsafe cars

With reference to the editorial “Making cars safe” (November 13), it is welcome that it will be mandatory for cars to undergo a frontal crash test from October, 2015. The global NCAP test has awakened our government. Aamir Khan in his TV show told the countrymen about the low cost of airbags. It is surely not more than the life of an Indian. The manufacturers could increase the car prices if it makes the drivers’ lives safer.

Bedakhal Murda, via email

Safe vehicles

Apropos the editorial “Making cars safe” (November 13), the lights of all vehicles are switched on even during day time in Norway. I was given to understand that it is due to this provision that the there are hardly any accidents there. In contrast, in India, 30 per cent of the litigation are road accident related and are lying pending in courts. Let us learn from the best practices elsewhere in the world.

The safety features in the new cars require improved road infrastructure. Let CCTV cameras play the role of a watchdog and create fear among the users. Let there be ethics more than the code of conduct for the drivers to follow.

Prof Madan Mohan, Kurukshetra

Safety devices must

This is with reference to the news piece on cars failing safety tests. The automobile companies have not brought any changes nor has the government taken any initiative to enforce the desired amendments. The companies are playing with govt policies. The length of a sedan car is decreased to minimise duty on it. Fresh pricing is introduced to woo customers and after some months, the price is raised to the previous slab. It is unfortunate that our authorities don't pay heed to independent test labs and rely only on government established institutions. The same happened when cola drinks were tested. While private labs reported the presence of chemicals, the government didn't take any bold step. Safety features like ABS-EBD, air bags, alcohol and safety belt sensors which ought to be part of standard equipment are found only in top-end models. A safety device, the auto-dipper which can avoid car crash on one-way roads, has hardly been introduced in any car manufactured in India. It’s time policies related to automobile manufacturing are revisited with special consideration on safety and impact on pricing.

Deepjot S Thukral, Ambala Cantt

Sanctity of Brahmsarover

This has reference to the news “Gita Jayanti Samaroh on November 23” (November 10). Every year, the Gita Jayanti Samaroh is celebrated in Kurukshetra to mark the birth anniversary of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, the holy book that teaches us about happiness, grief and sorrow. But the place where this samaroh is celebrated lacks in the maintenance of sanctity and cleanliness of the Brahmsarovar. People throng from different parts of the country to have a dip in this holy sarovar (tank). Even foreigners visit this place. People go around the sarovar with their shoes on and the babas that dwell there wash their dirty utensils and clothes in the sarovar. The main gates are opened for four-wheelers of VIPs. The dirt ruins the sanctity and purity of the water. The Kurukshetra Development Board must pay attention to this aspect.

Sushma Arora & Rajinder K Arora, Kurukshetra

Insulting comment

With reference to the article by B G Verghese “Prize idiocy of little men” (November 18), I am constrained to say that the heading of the article is insulting not only to the PM of India but the nation. The Tribune is equally responsible for this insult. The PM has never said any derogatory word for former PM Jawaharlal Nehru. On the contrary, he proposed a programme for Nehru’s 125th birth anniversary. Nehru was a colossus alright, but to depict PM Modi as a pigmy is insulting.

Dr R K Rajoo, Mandi

Foolish claim

The article "Not by words alone" (November 18) says that during the Lok Sabha elections, BJP leaders had promised that every poor Indian would get Rs 15-20 lakh once black money was brought back. The statement is foolish and misleading. The names of BJP leaders who made such statements must be exposed.

Surinder Bhambri, via email

Wind up MCs

Apropos the news report “Vij: Govt to review setting up of MCs and police commissionerates” (November 11), the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) is in a state of paralysis, serving no purpose to the public. The town has become a slum with garbage and debris all around. Roadsides are occupied by make-shift shops, taxi stands, puncture shops, rehriwalas, tailors etc. Pedestrians have to walk on roads at risk to their lives. Free and easy availability of space for commercial purposes has encouraged migration of people from other states, leading to congestion in the town and nearby areas. The MCF safai karamcharis, gardeners and other functionaries for public service are hardly seen working in the field. Requests and complaints sent to the MCF through emails are ignored. Depositing house tax is a nightmare, being a tedious and time-consuming task.

The MCF is nothing more than a white elephant and should be wound up.

Dr RK SHARMA, Faridabad

Feudal attitude

The write-up by Justice Nirmal Singh (retd) “Feudal attitude persists’ (October 3) highlights the sorry state of SCs or Dalits. It is unfortunate even after decades of independence and despite government efforts, untouchability is being practised in many government institutions even by some members of the educated and modern society of the 21st century, leave aside the priests in temples. The attitude of society in general towards the STs/OBCs is not deferent. They are considered untouchables, like the Scheduled Castes.

This centuries old custom is still prevalent in educated minds. Despite the reservation policy, even 5 per cent of the population amongst these categories is not financially or socially sound. More than 80 per cent of the educationally and economically weaker population consists of these categories. Many of their children hardly enter school due to acute poverty or are compelled to leave studies after primary or middle standards. The reservation policy for them is justified.

Surinder Singh, Jammu