Nation first

‘State should own responsibility, not pass the buck’ presents a good case for setting up a study group by the Central government to examine where things went wrong during the second wave of the pandemic. The timeline related to the improved situation in Mumbai which reported the maximum number of cases at one time, as also in Kerala, will have to be considered. What were the factors that hindered other states from following such successful models of triage is of vital importance. The third wave is feared to strike anytime, and in order to prepare well for it, the findings of the study group will be very helpful. The PM would not be averse to such a suggestion. It is time to rise above party politics and think of the nation.

Jagdish Batra, Sonepat

Citizens not a priority

India’s tryst with democracy has not brought the desired welfare of its citizens. We should thank the courts for their timely advice and order to the government, from time to time, to correct the course. The government on its own is not ready to do its sole work for which it has been voted to power. It’s only through courts that it gets a rap and is told to do the needful. It is time that some alternative type of experiment should be done with the Indian democracy. The district heads should have a target for the welfare of the people and they should be answerable to the Chief Minister of the state. Suggestions and complaints of the citizens should be directed towards the courts, who, in turn, would advise the chief ministers what needs to be done. There would be no post of Prime Minister; it is a farce. Let the new system be called ‘supremocracy’.

Amit Kumar, Mohali

CBSE exams

In the editorial, ‘CBSE board exams’, it has been stated that students’ safety is important, but so are careers. It is highly insensitive to think of putting young students’ lives at stake in the name of their careers. Moreover, in the process of holding these exams, not only the lives of students would have been at stake, but also those of the teachers conducting the exams. Don’t forgot the high number of unfortunate teachers who died while conducting the avoidable Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections recently, which also helped in intensifying the second Covid-19 wave. Heavens would not fall if a young student fails to get into a career of one’s choice, but it would certainly fall if even a single one loses his/her life in this mad pursuit.

Balvinder, by mail

Optimism at its best

The middle ‘Never too old to live it up’ is a marvellous piece of writing, an expression of incorrigible optimism which enthuses hope in the minds of us all. We, the senior citizens, can well empathise with the feelings of the writer. It is like a ray of hope in the dark clouds that we will again enjoy the company of our friends, cherishing the memories of the good old days! Such positivity is the need of the hour. Let’s all have faith that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Sadhna Saini, by mail

Central control

Reference to ‘Need to rethink vax plans’; it will not be wrong to say that all confusion has been created by the Central government. If the Prime Minister can declare lockdown in the whole nation, then this spirit should also have been in the vaccination drive. It is still time to consider the pandemic as a Central subject and keep the states only as executing agencies. Keeping the planning, procurement, distribution, and direction with the Central government will not only be helpful in curtailing the pandemic, but also keep the faith of the masses in the government.

KRISHAN BHATIA, Hansi

Medical systems

Reference to the article ‘Just what the doctor ordered’; over the ages the human race encountered many diseases and pandemics but survived; it devised herbalism during ancient times. India and China developed traditional, time-tested healing systems like ayurveda and huangdi neijing, respectively. These conventional techniques are still being practiced and relevant during modern times and running parallel to the modern allopathic system. Efforts must be made to do pioneer research. Ayurvedic medicine should also go through a five-step process of discovery, preclinical research, clinical research, FDA review and FDA post-market safety monitoring.

Rajesh Goyal, by mail

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