Job crisis

Apropos of ‘Unprecedented job crisis’, there is no calendar available for the conduct of recruitment exams in Punjab. The unemployment rate is very high, leading to youth migrating to developed countries in search of livelihood. And yet, there is no consistent and sustainable recruitment policy in the government sector. The Punjab Public Service Commission is charging the highest amount of fee in the country. Different advertisements are being issued to fill similar posts in various departments, just to fill coffers from the already exploited youth. The state government is not regularly conducting the eligibility test which is mandatory to become a schoolteacher. Low salary, inconsistent recruitment policy, lack of professionalism and political interference are the prime reasons for the exodus of Punjabi youth. No one wants to leave his/her motherland, but circumstances are such that it’s better to settle abroad instead of searching for a job here.

Amrinder Singh Mann, Sangrur

Choice of religion

The SC verdict on granting adults the freedom to choose a religion is a welcome step. However, forceful conversions during marriages need to be stopped. One should not change his/her religion to marry. Two persons can live together and practice their own religion. Let’s hope this verdict brings about a change in the mindset of people.

Vikramjit Singh, Amritsar

Keeping faith

Apropos of ‘Matter of faith’, the right to freedom of religion is inviolable. However, this right to follow, practise and promote any religion by an adult should also include the right to have no religion and reject any hereditary religious branding forced upon him.

Balvinder, by mail

Vaccine shortage

Refer to ‘5 states flag vax shortage’; the issue needs to be addressed soon because without inclusiveness in the vaccination drive, we can’t expect to curb the spread of infection. Vaccination developed by other countries with high efficacy must be allowed and approved in India along with indigenous vaccines, so that the demand and supply issue can be addressed at the earliest.

ROHIT KUMAR GUPTA, SHIMLA

God belongs to all

Refer to ‘The Pontiff & the Ayatollah’ (The Sunday Tribune); the meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is of immense significance to spread the message of peace among all religions. Religious leaders should profess harmonious life for all humans and not merely for their own followers. After all, each religion is supposed to impart spiritual guidance on the way to realise the truth of the Supreme. There should be no hate towards other faiths. God is responsible for the entire universe and not for any one particular community on earth.

SUBHASH VAID, NEW DELHI

Violence in Bengal

Refer to ‘Five dead, political storm over Cooch Behar violence’; violence is not abating even during polling days. Bengal has a history of political violence which peaks around election time, and speaks of the abject failure of law and order institutions. The core reason is the use of muscle power as a standard political instrument. By allowing violence, parties limit institutional functioning and keep intact their unofficial channels of patronage. The Election Commission must find a way out. After the poll dates are announced, the state concerned should be put under Governor’s rule. During parliamentary elections, an independent commission under the President can be given control of the administration.

PS KAUR, Amritsar

Ban all gatherings

To control the raging pandemic, the Punjab CM has banned all political gatherings till April 30. The step is in the right direction. But why political gatherings only? Any gathering — political, social or religious — may cause a rise in Covid cases. The chief ministers of Uttarakhand, UP and Delhi should ban all large gatherings, especially Mahakumbh at Hardwar and the farmers’ stir at Delhi borders, which have the potential to become virus super-spreaders.

AK Agarwal, Chandigarh

Strict enforcement

Preventive measures to control the spread of the pandemic suggested by the writer (‘Covid-apt practices, not lockdown, the way ahead’) are already known to the public. The problem is enforcement. Look at how election rallies with lakhs of people are being organised by political parties and participated even by the PM and CMs. Mercifully, the infection has not reached the villages. Awareness programmes are a must to request people to visit cities and towns only when absolutely necessary. Strict measures need to be enforced in urban areas. Half-baked measures like partial lockdowns will not do. The deficiency of vaccines must be overcome.

RN Malik, Gurugram

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