M A I L B A G

Why we must say no to smoking

World No-Tobacco Day was observed on May 31. In all, 47 per cent men and 12 per cent women smoke worldwide and are likely to die from one of the many tobacco-related causes of death. Globally, three million people die every year due to tobacco-related ailments. This figure is likely to increase to 10 million by 2020.

The benefits of quitting smoking are evident within minutes. In 20 minutes after quitting, pulse and blood pressure return to normal. Blood oxygen levels become normal in eight hours and excess of carbon dioxide in blood is washed out in 24 hours and the person regains normal taste and smell as well as sense of well being. In the long run, the risk of heart disease is reduced to 50 per cent in one year among quitters. The risk of lung cancer is reduced by 30 to 50 per cent within 10 years and that of stroke by 100 per cent in 5 to 15 years of stopping smoking.

Despite these dangers of smoking and benefits of quitting, most smokers cannot stop it because smoking is not just a habit, but actually a drug addiction (like heroin and cocaine) which requires medical intervention. Groncho Marx, the famous comedian once said in a lighter vein, "Giving up smoking is easy. I have done it many times."

While doctors can provide medical help and assist people in quitting smoking, social organisations, NGOs and the media should spread general awareness on the harmful effects of smoking and thus prevent smokers, especially among the younger generation, from becoming addicts.

Dr R.S. BEDI, Patiala

Growth strategy

This refers to H.K. Dua's front-page editorial "Nation is in safe hands" (May 20). Much needs be done to develop India. To discourage brain drain and make best use of the professionals and the intelligentsia, a strong private sector, owned by skillful entrepreneurs, is the need of the hour. But the interest of weaker sections should not be ignored.

The big farmers should be encouraged to transform agriculture into an industry so that the surplus labour from the villages could be absorbed in the rural sector. The medium and small farmers should not be induced to mechanisation. Efforts should be made to reduce rural indebtedness. Poverty, illiteracy, backwardness, population explosion, stability in price rise, evenly distributive set-up, availability of unadulterated and nutritive food products at cheaper rates, safe drinking water, health, education, provision of basic amenities, transport and communication are some of the issues that need special attention of the government.

Over all, the Manmohan Singh government should enforce discipline in the socio-economic and political life of the country. A strong and well-built society can check evil trends like terrorism.

NIRMAL KUMAR, Panchkula

Traffic bottlenecks

The crossing on Chandigarh-Kalka Highway near Fun Republic caters to NAC showrooms on one side and Manimajra/Fun Republic on the other, over and above the main traffic on the Chandigarh-Kalka road. With the commissioning of Fun Republic, this crossing has become congested and accident prone. The problem gets aggravated at the time of start/close of film shows, particularly on weekends. The vehicular traffic gets chaotic leading to traffic jams. In the absence of a suitable rotary at this crossing, it is vulnerable to accidents and traffic jams.

Since there is no proper parking at Fun Republic, the vehicles are haphazardly parked on the opposite roads, creating congestion and chaos on these otherwise busy roads leading to Manimajra and Motor Market. Proper arrangements like construction of a suitably designed rotary or installation of traffic lights need to be made at this crossing in public interest. As an interim arrangement, a traffic policeman should regulate the traffic here.

D.P. PIPLANI, Panchkula

Atrocities on Dalits

This has reference to the atrocities on Dalits as reported by the media - print and electronic - in the recent past. The depressed classes have covered a long journey and have been called by various names in the history as Panchamvarans, Shudras, untouchables, Harijans, Scheduled Castes and now Dalits. Despite attaining Independence, regardless of the various programmes launched by the government and the tremendous efforts of voluntary organisations, what has actually changed is the tags assigned to the depressed, but no perceptible improvement in their living conditions.

There has been continuous harassment, in the name of caste, of the downtrodden and weaker sections of society. What happened in Motipur village of Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh is an example of barbaric culture. All such incidents will hurt the morale and self-respect of the members of depressed communities.

History has seen the carnage of one country on another, but discrimination towards one's own people is sacrilege. If this deplorable trend is not checked, it will spread societal disharmony and discord.

KULDEEP CHAND ROJHE, Solan