Create a casteless society

THE article "Anandpur Sahib and the birth of the Khalsa" by Kuldip Dhiman (February 6) had nothing new to offer to the readers. It is a pity that today Sikhs are divided again as they were in the period preceding Guru Gobind Singh. The caste system that Guru Gobind Singh had banished is still prevalent amongst the Sikhs who are divided into Jats, Khatris and lower castes. Guru Gobind Singh had merged all the castes into the Khalsa (the pure one). Unless and until the caste system is abolished, the Sikhs cannot boast of being true sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

All these celebrations hardly matter. The article has not touched the present state of affairs. The SGPC should take a lead in doing a lot in this direction.

In my opinion, the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs should issue a pious Hukamnama asking the community to abandon suffixing of surname with proper name. This will help to create a casteless society. Only then will the tercentenary celebrations have any meaning.

UJAGAR SINGH
Chandigarh

Never say die

The article "Never say die" by Taru Bahl (January 23) was thought-provoking. A suicide attempt is nothing short of a cry for help. In India help rarely reaches in time. Few persons or organisations bother about this serious problem.

Those who commit suicides are neither cowards nor stupid but, usually, highly intelligent and well-qualified. Some such individuals are introvert and sensitive. These fellows are usually not ready to make any compromises or share their inner feelings with anyone even in the worst of circumstances.

If remedial measures are given in time precious a life can be saved. Extreme poverty, incurable illness, unexpectedly poor performance in an examination or an interview, set-back in a love affair and continuous non-cooperation or torturing by one’s boss or life partner are some of the several common causes of suicides.

In today’s materialistic and selfish world, we have indeed become quite indifferent to each other comforts and problems. If a friend or a relative shares how he is feeling depressed or does not feel like living any more, we do not bother about it.

SUNIL CHOPRA
Ludhiana

The wonder called a newspaper

Apropos of Amber Sodhi’s article "Wonders a newspaper creates" (January 30), do the majority of the newspapers really play the sublime role outlined by the writer? Facts, however, speak otherwise.

All that the readers aim at, is a fearless and good Press and not the Press that gives the readers personalised lifestyle and celebrity journalism. The latter means trashy, gossipy and sensational writing and reporting.

It is appalling to see how a majority of the newspapers put up stories relating to crimes or criminals, rapes, suicides and mysterious deaths by giving sensational headlines and descriptions of routine type criminal cases. It is made to appear as if these issues and cases are of paramount importance for the readers.

Most newspapers cover less of social, educational and cultural activities. They have little space for highlighting the day-to-day difficulties of the people. Let newspapers be objective and focus on the common man.

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

She proposes, he accepts

Kulwinder Singh’s article "When she proposes and he accepts" (January 30) was interesting. I admire those friendships in which both of friends remain faithful to each other. But the question is this that in these days how many boys and girls remain faithful towards their partners? Why are these so-called relationships nothing but physical attraction towards each other (except a few cases)?

Our orthodox society can forget and even can forgive a boy for his blunder but it will not be so in case of a girl. By doing so she will not only create a problem for herself but also for her parents.

If a girl wants to have a boyfriend she must take her parents in confidence so that there is no need of hiding her relationship from her parents as is done in most of the cases.

PARMBIR SINGH DUGGAL
Qadian