M A I L B A G

When sons leave their old father in the lurch

Following The Tribune’s report (July 13) on the miserable plight of the 89-year-old Baba Bachan Singh, also known as “Carwala Baba”, many benevolent people gave him solace and monetary help. Philanthropy is one of the highest attributes of humanity. “Dard-e-dil key vaastey paida kiya insaan ko/Varna ta’at key liyey kuchh kam na they karroobiyaan” (God created human beings to help those in distress, otherwise there was no dearth of cherubs to worship Him).

It is a pity that none of his sons has cared to do the filial duty he owes to him. Bachan Singh would have sung the paeans of thanksgiving and lavishly distributed sweets amongst those, who gave him “vadhaai” as an enthusiastic expression of his joy on their birth. Little did he know that they would leave him in the lurch in his old age.

About an undutiful son, a poet has rightly said: “Hai baap ko ye fikr ke beta ho kab jawaan/ Betay ko fikr baap ka kab intiqaal ho (“Intiqaal” means death).

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

II

I read the story of Baba Bachan Singh. I kept on thinking that if Baba had only one daughter instead of four sons (he must have been very happy to be father of four sons after their birth), I am sure his condition would not have been as it is today.

The story of Baba is a signal to those indulging in the despicable and abominal practice of female foeticide in desire of a son.

Dr NIRMAL GAUTAM, Nangal (Ropar)

III

Mr V.S. Sodhi, Vice-Chairman, Senior Citizens’ Association, and representatives of Welfare Society, Sector 10-D, Chandigarh, have requested Bachan Singh to move into an old age home. Apparently, Bachan Singh would like to stay on in his old location, i.e. his old taxi.

The Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh, is conducting a survey on the senior citizens of Chandigarh and those willing to shift to an old age home. I had interviewed 35 senior citizens who are willing to go to old age home.

Dr. B.R. PARUTHI,  Secretary, Welfare Society, Sector 10 D, Chandigarh

 

Mohali deserves district status I would appeal to the Punjab government to accord district status to Mohali satellite town expeditiously. This would help the people of Dera Bassi, Lalru and Mohali immensely. In the absence of a sub-divisional court, the people of Dera Bassi are forced to go to Rajpura court in Patiala district. Over 5,000 civil and criminal cases pertaining to Dera Bassi sub-division (near Ambala) and Lalru (Patiala district) have piled up. The residents of six villages — Khelan, Rajpura, Malan, Jodhgar, Antala and Saranpur — are facing hardship in attending the Rajpura court. They have to go to Ambala via Jagadhari Road to reach Rajpura. The advocates of Dera Bassi Bar Association have submitted a representation to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana Court to provide judicial courts at Dera Bassi sub-division. The grievances of the residents of Dera Bassi and Lalru can be redressed well if a sub-divisional court is set up at Dera Bassi. Mohali satellite town should be accorded district status. It has a population of about 4 lakh. Though Mohali has the SDM court at present, the residents of Mohali are forced to go to Ropar for all administrative matters as it is the district headquarters. Mohali is a big industrial town. It is bigger than Ropar in area and population. Thus, all the administrative offices need to be located at Mohali. If Mohali is made a district, it can effectively serve the interests of the people of Dera Bassi, Lalru and Mohali. R.S. SACHDEVA, Addl. Dist. & Sessions Judge (retd), Mohali

Monsoon plays truant

The inordinate delay in the monsoon has taken everyone by surprise, at least in this part of the country. July is the make or break month for farmers in northern India. And there is little hope of the monsoon making an immediate return despite the Met department’s assurances that the rains are on course.

In Punjab, the rural people are the worst sufferers due to long power cuts, thanks to the mismanagement of the powers-that-be in the Punjab State Electricity Board. Sometimes, loadshedding ranges from eight to 11 hours. It has made the living a hell.

Ironically, in Assam and Bihar, we are witnessing death and destruction due to floods. How will poor villagers face the nature’s fury? Dead men tell no tales — whether the cause of death is starvation, malnutrition, undernourishment or man-made floods. In a way, those who have died unwept are more fortunate than those leading a miserable life, unclad and unfed.

D.V. JOSHI, Bartana (Zirakpur)

Mother’s importance

This is regarding the demand to make mothers’ name mandatory in all the official documents right from school admission to certificates. Woman’s organisations should take up the matter and file a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court.

The mother plays an important role in bringing up the child. In case of a divorce, she must get the custody of the child. She must have a job and financially independent for bringing up the child single-handedly.

All these problems can be solved if a mother’s place is duly recognised in society. Inclusion of her name in the judicial and official documents will be the first significant step to recognise her identity and importance in society.

ELSIE MOHAN LAL, Chandigarh