Migrants are a loyal workforce

Apropos of ‘Kin of migrants who shifted to Punjab decades ago testing poll waters’; ours is a democracy without any bias for rich or poor and migrants or locals. Ludhiana is thickly populated by migrants. Without these migrant workers, industries, farming operations and domestic tasks would come to a standstill. Specialised trades, such as stone and tile work, false ceiling installation, masonry and the fruit and vegetable business, are dominated by migrants from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and other regions. They live peacefully, without boasting about their strength or unity, serving as a sincere and loyal workforce, and many now call Punjab their home.

Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), Kharar

Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan

With reference to the report "SCO: EAM to visit Pak today, may meet Shehbaz at dinner", EAM Jaishankar has rightly made it clear that his visit to Pakistan is for the SCO meeting and not to discuss India-Pakistan ties. Last year, when the then Pakistani foreign minister, Bilawal Zardari, had visited India for the SCO meeting, he had made some comments on Kashmir, prompting a sharp reaction from Jaishankar. It is possible that a similar script may play out in Pakistan this time. But it is also possible that Jaishankar interacts with some leaders in Pakistan who have hinted at lesshostile ties with India.

EL SINGH, email

Doctors have lost respect

Refer to ‘Young doctors must introspect, too,’ the writer is right in saying that today, both young and experienced doctors often view the profession as a lucrative business. I know many doctors who have spent crores to secure admissions for their children in dubious medical colleges, simply to have them become doctors and join their family clinics, where ‘good health’ is sold as a commodity. The charges for medical services are astronomical. If a patient dies, the body is handed over to the family only after full and final payment, which often runs into lakhs of rupees. Over time, doctors have lost the public’s respect and trust they once held.

Ramesh Gupta, Narwana

Fiscal federalism at stake

Refer to ‘Himachal’s financial struggle in a centralised system’; the article highlights the fiscal challenges Himachal Pradesh faces in an increasingly centralised framework. It is unfair to depict Himachal as overly dependent on the Centre when the state significantly contributes to national resources, particularly in water and power. The erosion of state revenues through the Centre’s excessive use of cesses and surcharges undermines fiscal federalism, depriving states of their rightful share. Despite its fiscal constraints, Himachal’s commendable strides in human development should be acknowledged. The Centre must ensure an equitable distribution of resources.

Chanchal S Mann, Una

Omar must assure Centre

Refer to ‘NC-Congress alliance stakes claim to form govt, Omar Abdullah likely to take oath on Oct 16’; it is a historic opportunity to steer the fortunes of the violence-hit state at this critical juncture. Omar must set aside electoral politics for the next election (a good five years away) and, instead, allay apprehensions against law and order getting breached with impunity under political patronage. Sincerity towards J&K and its people warrants the NC-Cong alliance government to synergise the popular mandate both in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Nobody blamed Rahul

Refer to ‘A bitter defeat’; despite favourable Haryana Assembly exit poll predictions, the Congress had to face defeat. After the results came, many Congress leaders came out with various theories about why they had lost the election. They pinned the blame for the defeat on issues like local party leaders squabbling publicly and complex caste equations. But nobody blamed Rahul for running a bad campaign. If the Congress party is to regain its old glory, it needs to stop being an adjunct of the dynasty.

MONA SINGH, by mail

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