L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Affirmation of a functioning democracy

H K Dua in his front-page editorial “It’s affirmation of a functioning democracy” (May 17) has rightly stated that the Indian voters have voted for stability. Voters have proved beyond any doubt that they will do whatever is good for the nation, irrespective of their political affiliations. Voters are concerned about the nation’s stability, perhaps even more than many of our politicians. Voters have rejected the negative policies of the Left and the Hindutava of the BJP.

The electorate has also rejected the criminals who were given tickets by various parties. The Indian voters have not only become more mature but also wise enough to keep a check on politicians. Politicians and political parties must observe the ethics of public life. Otherwise they shall be shown the door. The voters have proved their credentials and it is the turn of politicians and political parties to honour the confidence of the voters.

CAPT AMAR JEET KUMAR, (retd), SAS Nagar

II

Mr Dua has aptly lauded the role of the Indian electorate in giving a clear mandate to Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. Proving most poll surveys wrong, they have also sprung a few surprise verdicts. Thus democracy in our country has matured and taken deep roots. The election results should justifiably be seen as an ideal role model for democratic aspirations. 

Now it is up to the elected leaders to get on with their primary role. They must take up vital national and international issues in a manner consistent with the highest standards of discipline, decency and decorum befitting the parliamentary traditions. We have a long list of “real issues” that we need to grapple with. Hunger, poverty, deprivation, illiteracy, backwardness, unemployment, corruption, removal of social evils like female foeticide and malnutrition are some of the issues that demand immediate attention.

GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA, Shimla

III

Indeed, by winning the elections, the UPA has provided an occasion for political stability and a befitting reply to wags who call India a “functioning anarchy”. The people of India have by and large shown maturity and conveyed that there is no place for regional parties with narrow and personal ambitions at the national level.

Did the BJP expect to fare better? Especially, if one recalls how the BJP leaders called the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, weak, talked of the Ram temple and voted against the nuclear agreement.

The CPM, too, voted against the nuclear deal, quite forgetting that it shall bring us more power needed for industrialisation and economic prosperity.

The UPA should use this opportunity to fix all the dishonest political leaders. People will be watching their performance. If they fail to deliver, they shall meet the same fate as that of the BJP and the CPM.   

DR O N BHARGAVA, Panchkula

IV

The people of India have shown a discerning wisdom in casting their votes. Dr Manmohan Singh is an economist and must guide the nation in the right direction. We are a nation that still abounds with the poor, unemployed and houseless. Our politicians have stashed huge amounts of black money in the Swiss banks. We hope that the new government will take some action in this regard and use the money for the welfare of the needy.

DALIP SINGH WASAN,  Advocate, Patiala

Medical negligence The editorial comment (editorial, “Gross medical negligence”, May 16) concerning the Supreme Court’s judgment imposing huge penalty for gross medical negligence is understandable and appreciable in true spirit of humane justice. However there is a flip side too. The American health system has become hugely expensive and unaffordable for a vast majority of citizens because of expensive health-related insurance plans. This has become more evident ever since huge liabilities have been imposed on health professionals. In India, escalating medicare or insurance cost, skewed doctor-patient ratio, extreme working conditions and errors of judgment need to be kept in mind while establishing the quantum of penalty. Moreover, decision-making in medical practice is always a tightrope walk. Do’s and don’ts in medical practice is a must as in any other profession. There is a dire need for rationality and accountability too. However, imposing huge penalties may not be the only solution. Improvement at cutting-edge level with mandatory multidisciplinary and intra-disciplinary decision-making tools may help. Telemedicine and conferencing can always come in handy. No doubt, malpractices and gross negligence shall always remain indefensible. DR SUDHIR VARMA, Patiala