II

Captain Kanwaljit Singh’s unfortunate and untimely death is an irreparable loss. He was a gentleman-politician with a clean record and an intellectual. His stint as Punjab’s Finance Minister made him unique. However, his sudden death has created doubts. Reports are conflicting. The speedometer of his car was supposedly stuck at 110 km per hour. It is really shocking how an experienced leader like him allowed a 21-year-old immature driver to drive his car at such an uncontrollable speed? Trained drivers alone should drive VIP vehicles.

DR KAMALJEET KAUR SEKHON, Patiala

III

Undoubtedly, lack of traffic awareness and absence of monitoring systems led to the tragic death of Captain Kanwaljit Singh. In most states of the US and Canada, traffic violators are captured on the camera and this acts as a strong deterrent against over-speeding. 

 Let Punjab implement the camera system forcefully. It should be followed by the dismissal of the services of VIP escort drivers who seem to believe that they own the roads and are on a racing track. In fact, most of the highway drivers need a counselling course before being issued a driving licence.

CAPT MALVINDER SINGH, Chandigarh

An olive branch to Iran Karl Marx’s words “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce” seem to ring true when one looks at the turbulent history of relations between the US and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The back-channel contacts and diplomacy between Iran and the US has emboldened Mr Barack Obama to offer an olive branch to Iran. His policy of reconciliation with Iran shows a shift from the policy of the former US President, Mr George W Bush, who termed Iran as a part of the Axis of Evil. The Iranian supreme spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has shown his country’s willingness to change if the US matches its words with sincere deeds. Iran is very unlikely to compromise on the nuclear option but can play a vital role in the Israel-Palestinian imbroglio. Iran is nearing its moment of truth. The presidential polls in June will goad the people to nudge the Iranian leadership towards mending fences with the US. The US has offered Iran a seat at a conference on Afghanistan. To facilitate rapprochement, Iran can turn more transparent in the matter of uranium enrichment. The US in return may hold back the sanctions imposed by the UN. MOHAMMED YAHYA ANSARI, Meerut City

Ragging or murder?

Ragging has certainly turned into a murder. Now the question is: what is the difference between Ajmal Kasab from Pakistan and the murderers of Aman Kachroo in Himachal Pradesh? Insensitive persons have cut short a promising life. Society must ostracise such anti-social persons.

H S YADAV, Jhajjar

Bread for all

The editorial “The daily bread” (March 26) was commendable. India attained freedom more than six decades ago. But nothing substantial has been done to ameliorate the condition of the poor. One-third of the population is still living below the poverty line. Many living in slums are deprived of basic amenities. During elections, political parties make promises, but never fulfil them.

Rather, the rulers usurp the wealth of the nation and flourish at the cost of the downtrodden. Thus, the poor have become poorer and the rich richer. It is the duty of the government to feed the hungry. The people of the country should elect only those who are honest and fair and provide basic needs, irrespective of caste, religion or creed.

D R SHARDA, Chandigarh

Money in Swiss banks

When Mr Lal Krishan Advani suggested that the Prime Minister must take action to bring back the black money lying unutilised in Swiss banks he ignored the fact that this money was lying there when the NDA government was in power too. So, why didn’t they take action? Undisputedly, this is public money and should be brought back and deposited in the state exchequer.