Helmets: why compulsion?

THE Act under which the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to strictly implement the helmet-must rule for two-wheeler drivers and pillion riders vide its judgement dated July 9, 1998, seems to be ill-conceived. Why should a driver or a pillion rider be compelled to wear a helmet when he is not endangering the life or limb of any other person or making the road unsafe for others? He is not causing any obstruction in free flow of traffic, air or noise pollution, any criminal activity or harm to any other person.

As for himself, he knows better what is safe for him. Those who feel that wearing of a helmet provides them more safety on the roads are free to do so. But why should others, including elderly and sick persons having pain in the neck, severe headache, earache or any other ailment, whose reflexes get disturbed and who feel very uneasy on wearing it, be forced to wear it? For them wearing of a helmet actually makes driving unsafe and painful. In public perception it is to promote the sale of helmets and a way to collect money by the state by fining the unwary and innocent citizens.

Protecting the head from injury by wearing a helmet is not enough when all other parts of the body are exposed to grave risk from a totally unregulated traffic, particularly in smaller towns. In these towns, cyclists, rickshaw-pullers and pedestrians also move on the road in large numbers and they are equally exposed to risk, but there is no requirement for them to wear the helmet.

Instead of making the headgear compulsory for two-wheeler riders, the police should strictly enforce the traffic regulations to reduce the number of accidents. The government can advise the people to wear a helmet in their own interest, but it should not be made compulsory just as in the case of a disease like dengue, the government can only advise the people to fully cover their bodies, it cannot compel them to do so. Will some organisation or legal luminary take up this matter for judicial review?

J.N. GUPTA
Karnal

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How to save the country

“Do and die but not to ask why”, this famous saying is to found only in our armed forces. Our brave soldiers during the Kargil war posted at various remote points at high altitudes passed very difficult times, but pushed the enemies back to their places.

This was the most difficult war and the mission of ousting the intruders have been successfully accomplished with supreme sacrifices made by our jawans.

Every Indian is proud of our brave forces. It may be an external aggression or the internal law and order problem, or any natural calamity, our brave soldiers always come out with flying colours. India’s Army is undoubtedly the world’s finest army.

Suitable arrangements must be made by the central and state governments for making it compulsory for every youth to undergo at least six months’ army training before entering into different avocations so that they can imbibe among them the qualities of discipline, sense of duty and commitment to the national cause for giving better service to society. Army life symbolises devotion to duty, selfless service and the nation’s interest uppermost in mind, and such training to the youth can contribute to improving work culture in civil life and carving out a growth-oriented prosperous society.

Where do our youth stand? Nowhere. They do not have any sense of discipline; the nation’s interests are totally missing in them. They believe in becoming Romeos instead of good citizens. Girls are also not lagging behind as compared to boys. Colleges and universities are not places of worship, but they go there as if they are to participate in some fashion show. Every girl wants to be a model. Under such circumstances what can be the fate of the country?

NARESH RAJ
Patiala

Fundamentalism in Pakistan

History stands witness that during the past 52 years of its existence Pakistan has displayed prominently a volatile process of transforming the system of governance from the so-called democracy to an assertive dictatorship (“Pak search for system of govt”, editorial, Oct 27). Political ethos in that country has never grown beyond the situation where the military has assigned to itself the role of the “saviour” of the ideology of Pakistan and the protector of its nationhood.

Ironically, those “most competent judges” and “conscience keepers” from the armed forces have moved on the crutches of a religious fundamentalism which has not only spread terror of sorts in the country and extremism abroad, particularly in India, Afghanistan, and Russia, but has also ruled out any possibility of secularism taking roots there. Invariably during the past 52 years fundamentalist elements have dictated terms in the administration with the result that no government has successfully completed its term in office. It has either been overthrown in a coup or dismissed through extra-constitutional means.

In this politico-military background, along with the prevalent endemic corruption in the country, it is doubtful whether General Musharraf, despite his disenchantment with them, can distance his government from the fundamentalist elements or install a civilian government in the country. Let us also not forget that the General himself has a fundamentalist background.

VED GULIANI
Hisar

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SYL canal

The continuous flow of excessive water from the Satluj to Pakistan is a national wastage. The already constructed canal can carry a small portion of the excessive water so that the dry land could suitably be irrigated. It is sincerely hoped that the authorities concerned would rise to the occasion and review the position judiciously in the national interest.

BABU RAM DHIMAN
Pinjore