M A I L B A G

Cauvery: need to rise above petty politics

Karnataka is in turmoil where as Tamil Nadu is in the victory lap after the ruling by the Cauvery Water Tribunal. Now that the final award has come after 17 years, political parties in both states should rise above narrow political agendas and try to evolve a common strategy.

Clearly, it is not possible for any tribunal to satisfy all the parties involved in the dispute. The final award is reasonable and Karnataka should respect it without any apprehensions.

We must realise that as rivers are national resources, water should be treated as a national asset. The award can be implemented only if the political parties in both states demonstrate statesmanship and give up false propaganda. The aggrieved party could file a review petition before the Tribunal itself or appeal to the Supreme Court for relief.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

II

Conceding that it is nearly impossible for any tribunal to satisfy all parties involved in the Cauvery river waters dispute, it must be said that Karnataka has reasons to be disappointed. Having accepted Karnataka’s argument for a distress formula, the tribunal ruled that when the yield is less, the allocated shares will be proportionately reduced among all the states.

However, on the whole, the final judgement will be seen as a victory for Tamil Nadu’s aggressive pursuit of its case against a historically-handicapped Karnataka.

J. AKSHOBHYA, Mysore

Epost service

To help people in remote areas, the Department of Posts has introduced epost. Printed or handwritten messages are transmitted and delivered through the postmen as ordinary letters. This has, in fact, taken the place of the telegraph service.

This facility has, no doubt, become popular. Yet, there are certain areas which need improvement. There is no time limit of delivery of epost messages. Epost messages should not take more time for delivery than ordinary mail. The epost centres give their own PIN codes, which cause confusion at the receiving end. The PIN code of the booking post office can also be mentioned.

Moreover, epost messages are generally being delivered open resulting in the disclosure of the contents. There should be some accountability in case of delay or non-delivery of messages. The Department of Posts should examine the drawbacks and adopt suitable measures to further improve the epost service.

R.S. HAMDARD, Hamirpur

Icon of film music

O.P. Nayyar was certainly an icon of the Indian film music. He was known for his memorable lilting and catchy numbers but to highlight that he had no formal training in music.

Even the background music requiring generation of specific moods or rasas can only be produced through a set of ragas and rhythms including use of western music which surely need adequate training and understanding of the classical music.

All the leading composers like Naushad, Hussanlal Bhagatram, Shankar Jaikishan, Khayyam and playback singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi had their grooming by music maestros. Nayyar in this regard was a rare exception.

V.K. RANGRA, New Delhi

Pension commutation

Some time ago, the Punjab government, while announcing 5 per cent interim relief to its employees, also allowed those retiring on or after Oct 31 to draw commuted pension on the basis of the formula applicable about 3-4 years back. However, this has not been made applicable to those retiring before Oct 31, 2006.

I retired on March 31, 2006 and can have my pension commuted within one year of retirement. At the rate applicable, I will get an amount 35 per cent less than what a person retiring after Oct 31, 2006 would get. This is highly unjustified. The government should review this and all employees who have not got their pension commuted should get the same on the basis of the new order.

DHARAM VIR DHANDA, Mukerian

 

Friend of good books Being an ardent lover of books, I found the middle “Classic apathy” (Feb 8) interesting and valuable. Unfortunately, not many people value good books. Good books go a long way in enlightening one’s mind and refining one’s personality. The great English poet, Robert Southey, called books his “never failing friends” and nothing can be truer. It is time we started teaching our children to have the right kind of priorities and encourage them to spend some time reading good books on a regular basis. This small but consistent investment of time will turn them into well-read adults and responsible citizens who are prize possessions of any society. Famous Roman writer and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero aptly called “a room without books, a body without soul”. Good books can also make such precious and enviable family heirlooms for posterity. PARAMBIR KAUR, Ludhiana