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Conditional trade with Pakistan

Our government, the proactive economists and foreign policy experts must bear one thing in mind that Pakistan can never be trusted even if it means business.

We stand nothing to gain from the FDIs from Pakistan (editorial “A bold decision”, Aug 3).If Pakistan is really sincere in improving their sordid relations with us, it must stop sending infiltrators across the border, it must extradite notorious terrorists like Dawood Ibrahim and others and it must close all the terrorist camps which train terrorists to strike in India.

The Pakistan government and the Army are being controlled by radical and religious fundamentalists. How can the FDIs from Pakistan benefit us? How can a militarily hostile neighbour have friendly trade with us? It is a misconception that mutually understood languages between the two countries would prove beneficial in trade. Successful global investments are no more bound by language and cultural barriers.

Terrorist elements are not easy to wipe out; Pakistan’s ISI is constantly and actively supporting anti-India activities. The SAARC apparatus is redundant and ineffective, its meetings and initiatives have not borne any positive result of mutual interest.

You cannot plant a tree of mutual trade and hope to get fruits the very next year. Every commercial activity has a process of maturity and needs a conducive political environment to grow.

Neither has Pakistan shown the will nor has it put in efforts to immobilise terrorist elements. It is therefore, not prudent to think that Pak FDIs in India can change its mindset.

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR (retd), Mohali

What animal rights! The animal welfare bodies like PFA, SPCA and others of the ilk appear to be selective in their treatment to the poor ‘speechless’ animals. They refuse to cater to animals who are shelterless and care only for the injured. On one such occasion, when I approached these organizations to come to the rescue of the just-delivered puppies lying on the pavement, they refused to take these puppies “as they were not injured’’. After much coaxing and threat to complain to the higher authorities, they ultimately agreed to take them. This abysmal state of affairs of these authorities must be checked. On the one hand, they propagate animal rights as a new cult and on the other hand, they show the least consideration for animal protection and their safety. DEVANSHI JANMEJA, Chandigarh

Utopian wish

A lot has been written and suggested about eliminating corruption. The main culprits supporting corruption at the ground level are the common man and the junior level officials and government staff. As citizens of India, we must refuse to part with our hard-earned money to oil the wheels of the corrupt system. Corruption at higher level is always fed and supported by the middle and lower order of governance. Unless these ranks refuse to act as conduits, motivated by the need of personal gratification, a Lokpal would be of no use. At present, an effective Lokpal appears utopian.

Therefore, as citizens of India, let us herald a new era of awakening by refusing to accept or give bribe even at the cost of personal inconvenience.

Col K D PATHAK (retd), e-mail

Under RTI

The logic offered by Lt-Gen Raj Sujlana (retd) in his article “Shoud RTI Act cover the armed forces?” (August 1) regarding inclusion of armed forces in the list of exempt organisations under the RTI Act is not convincing enough.

According to one of the pretexts cited by him, he says since other armed forces of the Union (read Central Armed Police Forces ) are also exempt, the Army, Air Force and the Navy should also be kept outside the RTI’s purview. It is akin to saying that if one is blind either he should get eyes or the whole world turn blind.

The writer has also erred in the judgement in putting forth the logic that the Army has institutions in place to instill transparency in all matters. Had it been the case, the Sukna scam, cases related to defence dealings, ASC ration supply etc would never have happened.

The Army, as other organs of the Indian democracy, also has black sheep within its ranks who need to be checked. The civil organisations too are plagued with corruption inspite of having all the mandatory checks in places, therefore the need for RTI.

NAVEEN KUMAR BANGA, Subathu (Solan)

Partisan poll

The article “Was the President really elected?” by Jagdeep S Chhokar (July 27) was though provoking. The writer has posed some pertinent questions which need to be analysed and answered in the right earnest by our policy makers, constitutional experts and above all by the “dignified electors”. It is high time we hold healthy debates on the election of the President. Some strong process must be devised for the Presidential elections to keep the dignity of the high office intact and to keep partisan considerations at bay.

SHEKHAR NAG, Dharamsala

Two-child norm

The main cause of price hike is the uncontrolled population which is increasing day by day and the migration of people from Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries. It is mentioned in our Constitution that when the country is in danger, religion must be left behind. Without hurting the religious sentiments of any religion or section of people, one-two child norm should be made compulsory for every citizen of this country.

Distribution of wealth and sources between the rich and the poor is so uneven that it has given birth to many ills in our society. Besides, the glamour of metros is attracting the rural population, thereby increasing the pressure and burden on urban cities.

GOVIND JOSHI, Dehradun