Let democracy survive

ALTHOUGH sycophancy is as old as human history, it does not seem to have come of age in India. Sycophants are just behaving as Peter Pans and Lotus Eaters. Let everything be within the limits of decency, and let democracy function even within the party.

If Mr Sharad Pawar along with Mr P.A. Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar, has raised the issue of Italian origin or not of Indian origin” with regard to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who is being named as the future Prime Minister of the country, there is nothing wrong in it as the matter is of vital importance. She does not have her roots in this country except being a “bahu” of a known family.

Mr Pawar has not raised the issue of her being the head of a political party. If Mr Pawar and Mr Sangma have staked their claims let them be defeated through a democratic process within the party.

However, I must remind the readers that what Mr Pawar has done is only a repetition of the issues which had already been dealt with by the late Indira Gandhi by ousting Morarji Desai and splitting the Indian National Congress. Such a move by naming the Congress (I) or the Congress (J), etc, has set a precedent for other political parties for accelerating the process of split which has proved quite dangerous for the political health of the country.

Then comes the question of “vote of conscience” which had helped in the defeat of the official candidate of the Congress for the office of President of the country, resulting in the election of V.V. Giri.

Sycophants, please be wiser and act gracefully.

HARJINDER SINGH
Faridkot

Sonia and Congressmen

The peculiar situation created by the controversial letter written by the three stalwarts of the Congress Mr Pawar, Mr Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar — is not an impasse from which there is no way out. At the most, this could be treated as political immaturity projected by Mrs Sonia Gandhi herself and by her fans, by resigning from the presidentship of the Congress. Nobody had asked her or even hinted that she should do so. Apparently, she had assumed that she was sure to become the next Prime Minister and should, therefore, take this opportunity to nip the evil of her being dubbed as a foreigner in the bud there and then.

If she were a mature politician she would have happily announced that Congressmen had made her the President of the party, and she believed that in many ways the party President was closer to the people than the Prime Minister, and out of the two, the time was now calling her to continue as President. She should bow before the will of the Congressmen and reiterate the words of Mr Sharad Pawar: “It is as simple as that”.

TARA CHAND SAHI
Chandigarh

Driving carelessly

If one were to analyse the root causes of the problem of a rising rate of road accidents, what would eventually come out is that we as a people have an extremely casual attitude towards driving and road safety. It is the casual approach that results in most accidents.

How many of us hesitate in acquiring a driving licence by greasing the palms of corrupt officials? How many of us hesitate in indulging in drunk and rash driving? How many of us use seat belts, helmets and other safety norms while driving? How many of us have complete knowledge of road signs and traffic rules? How many of us hesitate to jump traffic lights?

Well, perhaps, these are all rhetorical questions. But these are the main causes for the increasing number of road accidents. All the rules are followed more in breach than in adherence. We ourselves are foolish as we feed the fat, corrupt officials with money to buy licence for our insecurity and that of others too.

We’ll follow traffic rules only if there is a traffic policeman standing nearby. We should not forget that a vehicle is not just a means of transport but also akin to a loaded weapon which, if not properly used, can cause immense harm to others.

For the average citizen, it is imperative to understand that driving means shouldering a great responsibility. It is essential that the driver not only drives carefully for his own safety but also keeps the safety of others in mind. Bus drivers, truck drivers and drivers of government vehicles generally show a carefree attitude. They should realise that they are playing with the valuable lives of many others.

AMIT GUPTA
Ferozepur Cantt

Ropar without fire engines

The news item in The Tribune of May 2 about the forest fire near Nurpur Bedi in Ropar district deserves attention. There is a large area to look after from Mohali to Nangal, from Morinda, Chamkaur Sahib, Ropar, Asron, Nurpur Bedi and beyond. But it is shameful that there is no fire station at the Ropar district headquarters.

Whenever a fire occurs in the district, fire tenders from the Ropar thermal plant are requisitioned, which are also ill-equipped and take more time to reach the affected place. Sometimes these fire tenders are not spared by the thermal plant authorities due to their own exigencies.

There is acute necessity of a fire station at Ropar with at least three or four fire tenders with the latest equipment fitted on them. The Municipal Committee, Ropar, must arrange to have its own fire tenders with a trained crew to tackle the fire problem in the district.

A. P. SINGH
Ropar