Priyanka a pragmatic choice

Refer to ‘Priyanka’s debut’; both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka have been working tirelessly to revitalise and rejuvenate the Congress, which had plummeted from its once-dominant position in the country to an ignominious low. The contribution of both siblings has been significant and the party is showing resilience. Its strong recovery in the 2024 LS elections has sparked new optimism. By fielding Priyanka as the candidate for the Wayanad bypoll, the Congress has made a pragmatic and prudent choice. It would have been hard to find a more suitable candidate. Her direct entry into electoral politics will provide her the opportunity to demonstrate her latent talent and test her political mettle.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Omar has administrative expertise

Refer to ‘Omar takes charge’; it is heartening to observe that the new government in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has taken charge after a prolonged period of President’s rule. One advantage that Omar has is his previous tenure as the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of J&K — from 2009 to 2014. His experience in governing the state gives him the administrative expertise to lead effectively. The editorial rightly pointed out that the swearing-in ceremony ‘fell short in conveying a message of unity and hope’. It seems that the Congress has missed an opportunity to show magnanimity by declining to join Omar Abdullah’s government. On the other hand, Omar has shown commendable maturity by appointing a Hindu legislator as Deputy Chief Minister, a move symbolising inclusivity.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Cong must accept reality

Refer to the ‘Leader Speak’ column; the comments reflect the mindset of the speakers. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge often speaks in terms of battles — whether it’s fighting until Modi is ousted or, in this case, until J&K regains its statehood. However, both these goals seem neither possible nor feasible under the current political circumstances. In contrast, NC president Farooq Abdullah’s statements reflect the practical realities of the situation, while PM Narendra Modi’s words embody the reconciliatory spirit that is much needed at this time. For the Congress, the pressing need is to accept the harsh ground realities and adapt to a post-election normalcy.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

New Lady Statue welcome

Apropos of ‘Blindfold & sword gone, new Lady Justice statue unveiled in SC’; the change is a welcome gesture. The open eyes of the statue symbolise that the law is watchful, observing everything without being blindfolded. The physical balance held by the statue signifies impartial justice, applied equally to all, regardless of caste, creed, religion and status. This transformation will likely help build greater faith in the justice system, shedding the negative perceptions held by the public. As time progresses, the positive effects of this change will become more evident.

Col RS Narula (Retd), Patiala

Ram Lila instils values

Refer to ‘My tryst with acting in Ram Lila’; Ram Lila is undeniably an integral part of our cultural heritage, transcending caste, creed, and religion. It instils fundamental values and serves as an event with multiple facets — providing entertainment, fostering social camaraderie, upholding religious ethos and helping children develop acting skills. The lessons imparted through Ram Lila are deeply etched in the hearts and minds of the younger generation. As a school administrator, I ensure that Ram Lila is enacted every year, despite various challenges, because of its immense value in shaping young minds.

Sunil Kumar Mahajan, Ghumarwin

Upskill schoolteachers

This is with reference to the news item about the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister's intent to improve the quality of education in schools in the state. Technical input in education has grown to such an extent that many senior teachers, who had got training over 10 years ago, are not comfortable with the new pedagogy, such as the teaching techniques of 'differentiation' , 'adaptive', and 'group'. The government should pay more attention to the teachers' professional growth and upskilling as it is essential for improving the standard of education.

S KUMAR, PANCHKULA

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