II

Strict action should be taken against adulterators. Milk is known as a complete food and is an integral part of our daily diets. Adulteration can harm our health and wellbeing adversely. We hope the health department takes action. What is needed is not just a knee-jerk response but long term initiatives that can keep adulteration under check. No one has the right to play with the health of the people.

M L GARG, Chandigarh

III

The Tribune’s reports highlighting the sale of spurious milk are appreciable. As proposed in the report, I put the milk to the simple test. To my horror, it failed the test. The health department must take concrete measures to check the sale of spurious milk.

DR BALKARAN SINGH, Chandigarh

Stop child labour

Much is being done to increase awareness about female foeticide. The Nanhi Chaan project is an appreciable initiative. Child labour is another menace that calls for immediate attention. Thousands of under-privileged children are deprived of their childhood for they are compelled to work for a living. We can eradicate this social evil by taking an initiative in our homes. Instead of employing them we should encourage them to go to school, provide financial support and bear their school expenditure. It is important to save the “unborn” daughters. But it is equally crucial to protect and improve the life of children, deprived of basic needs.

Dr KAMALJEET KAUR SEKHON, Patiala

Crisis in valley

The recent death of two young women after their alleged rape at Shopian, has once again brought the crisis in the valley into limelight. If such incidents continue, then the people of the valley may lose faith in the political system and feel alienated.

NEHA PAUL, Patiala

Disinvestments of PSUs

The proposal regarding disinvestments of public sector units needs to be debated seriously. It will certainly be counter-productive. It will precipitate the present economic crisis. It is better to increase the share of public sector in the economy by pumping in more funds because private investors invest only to make profits. The government should be compelled to watch the interests of the middle and the lower middle classes. We should try to create employment opportunities and solve the economic crisis.

O P VERMA, Malerkotla

Australians not racists

We must remember that Australians as a rule are not racists and are friendly towards Indians. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd, is a thorough gentlemen and it is hoped that the problem of Indian students in Australia will be resolved soon.

AMARJIT SINGH GORAYA, Jalandhar

Punish dowry seekers

The Supreme Court has rightly remarked that bride-burners should be given a death penalty. Social ostracism of such criminals and their families may perhaps be a deterrent punishment and may curb social evils like dowry. The abominable practice of female foeticide is directly related to dowry and can be fought only by punishing dowry seekers.