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Towards an honest bureaucracy

In his article, “Sahibs and Burra Sahibs” (Perspective, June 14), Amar Chandel has analysed the evolution of Indian bureaucracy from being dominated a decade ago by upper crust boys and girls now to include the lower middle and poor class of society.

The writer has raised two important questions: whether those from humble background will serve the poor better or will graduate immediately to become ‘Burra Sahibs’? And will they lead to a better and humane bureaucracy?

Logically bureaucrats with humble background should be able to feel the pulse of people, especially the poor, better than others. But I feel that in today’s materialistic world, distorted and misinterpreted social, moral, ethical, spiritual and cultural values, these young bureaucrats are very easily sucked by the whirlpool of power, glamour and money. That is why India holds the least efficient and most corrupt bureaucracy rank among 12 Asian countries.

The young IAS officers should not forget their roots and show resist power, money and glamour. Only then, they can help change the common man’s sentiments, perceptions and thoughts about the unresponsive, self-serving and corrupt bureaucracy.

Dr VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

AKHILESH, Hoshiarpur

Icon, but…

I read Humra Quraishi’s piece, “Forthright and fearless” (Spectrum, May 25) about why Khushwant Singh had supported the Emergency (1975-77). While Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan became an icon of the masses for his call to fight against the Emergency, his appeal to the armed forces to revolt against the government of the day was an act of treason.

No soldier could ever think of disobeying the lawful command of his superior even if it is considered wrong. If such a culture enters the customs and traditions of the armed forces, democracy will be threatened and dictatorship will take its place.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari (Hamirpur)

A vigorous campaign needed to tackle swine flu "Pig Tales” (Spectrum, May 10) by Jaspal Bhatti was witty as well as informative. It poked fun at the political parties, which are in the habit of blaming the opposition for every misfortune. It also alerted the general public about the dangers of swine flu, which has become talk of the country these days. The writer has made the readers aware of the deadly disease, which has taken the form of a pandemic. Strangely, there is no vaccine against it in humans though there is one against it in pigs. In addition, it is said that the virus is likely to attack those aged between 20 and 40. One fails to understand why the young healthy people are going to fall prey to it. Swine flu was prevalent in the past too but it was said to be mild. However, this time it is reported to have caused severe and fatal illness. Some cases of the disease have been detected in the country. The government should start a vigorous campaign to give complete information about the disease, its symptoms, precautions, treatment etc. TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala