Care and awareness needed

Refer to ‘Addicts not demons’; the editorial has rightly observed that drug users should not be treated as demons; instead, they should be taken care of compassionately. Haryana’s mass campaign against drugs is bearing fruit. These initiatives need to be considered by Punjab too for the betterment of its youth. The Punjab Government should also encourage youngsters to participate in sports activities. Panchayats should organise games in villages and honour the winners. The state government should also come down heavily on drug smugglers so that the menace can be dealt with effectively.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Check easy availability of drugs

Apropos of ‘Addicts not demons’; drug use and addiction are stigmatised. Instead of understanding the causes behind addiction, the drug users are condemned and ostracised. The problem needs an effective solution. Sometimes, families are not able to give much time to their children. The fear of not fulfilling the expectations of parents and teachers drives some students towards drugs. Unemployment is another factor behind frustration and addiction among the educated. Everyone, including the family, school, society and the government, need to work together to bring the addicts back to the mainstream. A strict vigil should to be kept on campuses of educational institutions. The authorities must check the easy availability of drugs and act against traffickers.

KR Bharti, Shimla

Emulate khap’s move

Refer to ‘Celebratory firing’; the Sarv Jatiya Khap Panchayat’s decision to ban celebratory firing is a welcome move. The ban has been imposed after the death of a 13-year-old girl in Charkhi Dadri. No useful purpose is served by this mad practice that claims the lives of innocent people. It has been rightly observed that while grassroots efforts are crucial, the responsibility also lies with the authorities. The Supreme Court has repeatedly advocated a ban on this practice.

Subhash C Taneja, Gurugram

Teach skills to boost employability

Apropos of ‘Why taxing super-rich is an outmoded plan’; India has a complex system in which taxpayers are heavily taxed. Suggestions to increase the tax burden on the super-rich may not yield much gains for the treasury because they are not many. Equality should be brought by imparting quality education and improving healthcare. The opaque system causes many to indulge in corruption, malpractices and fraud. As a result, economic benefits don’t reach the deserving. Lakhs of vacancies exist in government departments and the private sector due to the unemployability of the youth. Skill training can make them contenders for coveted jobs.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Penalise tax evaders

Refer to ‘Why taxing the super-rich is an outmoded plan’; the article highlights India’s stark income inequality. French economist Thomas Piketty’s suggestion of higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy is well-founded. The author’s arguments — while taxes could spur capital flight, the lack of reforms in education and healthcare is due to mismanagement, not the lack of funds — are compelling. However, both stem from the government’s chronic failure to address these concerns. The question is: if China can create greater equality by taxing its billionaires, why can’t India? The government must implement stringent measures to curb capital outflows and penalise tax evaders to ensure that India’s growth benefits the poor without stifling vital investment.

CHANCHAL S MANN, Una

Ashwin should offer to coach

It’s odd that R Ashwin announced his retirement midway through India’s Test series against Australia. The timing has dented his reputation as one of the strongest pillars of the Indian cricket team. Being a senior member, he could have continued guiding his young teammates. His maturity and experience make him the perfect motivator for other players. However, now that he has taken this decision, one wishes him the best, with the hope that he will volunteer to be a bowling coach for budding cricketers in India.

SPS Narang, Gurugram

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