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Corrupt deserve stiffer punishment

The editorial “Just three years?” (Feb 26) has rightly analysed that the concerned CBI judge has grievously erred in giving a mild sentence of three years to former Union Communications Minister Sukh Ram. In fact, India has been considered as one of the most corrupt countries in the world and is ranked 83rd among 133 countries on the Corruption Perception Index. There is a nexus between the politicians, bureaucrats and capitalists. According to one estimate, the wealth looted by this coterie is much more than the British plundering. One study estimates that the black money in the country amounts to Rs 10 lakh crore. If India has to survive, we have to get rid of the extra-constitutional centres of power.

In a democracy, the judiciary is one of the pillars which affirms people’s faith. One remedy to expedite justice is to constitute separate courts to deal with corruption cases. An inordinate delay in dealing with such cases betrays our indifference to this malaise.

In China, the Supreme People’s Court had approved the death sentence of Zheng (62), former head of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), for taking kickbacks worth $ 6.5 million. But, unfortunately, in India even the prescribed punishment under the law is not being awarded as has happened in the case of Mr Sukh Ram. There is need to mete out severe punishment to the corrupt as expeditiously as possible.

S K KHOSLA, Chandigarh

DALIP SINGH WASAN, Advocate, Patiala

III

Undeniably, Mr Sukh Ram deserved stiffer punishment. In fact, three years is no punishment at all. If a lower court has taken 13 long years to decide the case, one can imagine what will happen in the higher courts. If the case continues to drag like this, I wonder when Mr Sukh Ram will, already 82, serve the punishment of three years also.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Career in Army

It was indeed a sad day for the Indian Army (“Meltdown: Army officers rethink on exit”, Feb 23). That this wonderful organisation has to rely on the world economic situation to keep its officers in the forces is indeed distressing. The recession is not going to last forever. I sincerely hope that the senior army officers introspect and make the armed forces a better career option, irrespective of recession.

SANJIV KUMAR, Panchkula

Man’s best friend

Raj Chatterjee’s middle “The Chatelaine” (Feb 16) was a tragic and moving tale of a grateful dog. A dog has been and is the most faithful of all animals. Its loyalty to its master is absolute. Like a child, a dog, too, is hungry for love.

A dog, it is said, can foresee death. A man’s true and sincere friend, it is always ready to safeguard his interests and even sacrifice its life for him. Endowed with unforgettable memory, always dependable and at its master’s beck and call, it is the most wonderful animal.

MEHNGA RAM, Patiala

Spare the rod, please Of late, incidents of corporal punishment, particularly in government schools, are on the rise. There is, therefore, an urgent need to address this problem at the appropriate level. Restraint is the backbone of discipline, which means coordination of the soul, mind and body. It is an established fact that discipline among children is certainly on the decline due to many reasons. Parents have little time for grooming their children. Growing materialism, terrorism and many other negative factors have affected the child’s psyche adversely. Notwithstanding these factors, a teacher has to show maturity in dealing with his pupils and throw away the rod. Grooming and nurturing of students who are at an impressionable age, in a sound and methodical manner, assumes great importance. A teacher must act as a guide, friend and philosopher and should be above board in his dealings and conduct. Only then will a harmonious bond exist between the teacher and the taught. The corporal punishment affects the psyche and temperament of a child in an adverse manner. His self-esteem is corroded and this can be detrimental to his growth and development. Times have changed and we should make education more meaningful. The good-old adage, “spare the rod and spoil the child”, is no longer relevant. On the contrary, it is counter-productive. Teachers should seek the help of parents in disciplining their students. The HRD Ministry should issue a model code for teachers. M.L. BATURA, Karnal