M A I L B A G

Amitoz teaches greedy NRI a lesson

I read the editorial “Amitoz says No” (Oct 29). This case of dowry is not the first of its kind at least in Punjab. Such cases happened in the past and will continue in the future because of the parents of both boys and girls.

Brides’ parents are more to blame for the perpetuation and spread of this social evil. The naked truth is that they see a God-sent opportunity in the marriage of their daughter to an NRI to send their family members abroad. In their blind quest for greener postures in foreign countries, they even ignore the age, educational qualifications and other negative points of the bridegroom. As a result, wrong alliances result in maltreatment, divorces, suicides and even murder of our bright and talented girls.

Shockingly, even well educated and qualified girls fall prey to the evil designs of the foreign bridegrooms either on their own will or under parental pressure. Until and unless girls and their parents resist the lure of going abroad in any situation, the foreign bridegrooms will continue to dupe many more Amitozs.

HEMA LANGERI, Hoshiarpur

II

The editorial is a reflection of the current status of our society. Owing to the burning craze for foreign, our society is flooded with a lot of Gurpreet Singhs but the number of Amitozs is very rare. Embarking of an editorial on Amitoz signifies the intensity of her exceptional courage which is not found in the girls of her status.

As the dowry seekers are not professional criminals, it is a difficult task to handle them entirely through law and order tools. Social awakening, arousing feeling of not bearing injustice, economic security and knowledge of post-action consequences can help check this evil.

Dr ANUP K. GAKKHAR, Jalandhar

III

I congratulate Amitoz for teaching a lesson to the NRI doctor Gurpreet Singh. It confirms that studying and living in a modern and affluent society does not change one’s mindset from this inherited trait of greediness.

The expression of this hidden desire cannot be suppressed. I am confident that only the girls and no one else can stop this menace of dowry. All marriageable girls should learn a lesson from these bold and daring instances and should resolve to solemnise their weddings without any giving and taking from any side. This will help eradicate the feeling of gender bias from the minds of Indians.

Prof S. BHATERIA, Palampur

IV

Dr Amitoz Kaur’s action against the NRI dowry seeker and his parents is very bold and encouraging. Irrespective of NRIs or bridegrooms here, the dowry menace must be rooted out from the country. The dowry seekers must be exposed before the public. Alternatively, let us encourage inter-caste marriages. To tackle this evil, every section of society, rich or poor, should collectively say ‘No’ to dowry seekers like Dr Amitoz Kaur.

S.K. MITTAL, Panchkula

A fashion than a ritual We have just celebrated Karva Chauth. No one knows its historic significance and value. Still, as usual, many women, including schools and colleges, were crazy to celebrate it. Someone should ask the school and college authorities in what way children are associated with Karva Chauth. When I was young, there was no such passion for Karva Chauth; ladies used to celebrate it in a simple and decent way. But now the entire context and meaning of Karva Chauth has changed. It has become more of a fashion rather than a ritual. I feel this is because of the influence of the Bollywood which does not miss an opportunity to show Karva Chauth celebrations in Hindi films. There would be hardly any Yashraj Chopra movie without scenes of lavish celebration of Karva Chauth. SUSHMA PUNNI, Ludhiana

Shastri’s concern

In his letter, “Forgotten hero” (Oct 27), Mr Gurpreet S. Malhotra has rightly mentioned that the nation has forgotten India’s second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He not only gave us peace after the conflict with Pakistan but also solved the food problem of the nation.

Shastri motivated people of the nation to observe a day’s fast instead of bowing before other countries for foodgrains. This was due to his firm belief that we should not bring wheat PL480 from the United States.

RAJNEESH SATYAWAN, Pathankot