Paltry pension

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has announced the enhanced pension scheme for old age, widows, dependent children and the disabled. But the amount of increase from Rs 250 per month to Rs 500 is meagre. Punjab’s increased pension is much lower than other states. Haryana and Delhi offer higher pension. At least, Rs 1,500 a month should be given to the needy. Simply by saying that Punjab is the number one state will not actually make it one. The government must take concrete steps.  

Narinder Singh Chauhan, Patiala

Unpalatable read

The middle “A pleasant security breach” (Feb 19) by Wg Cdr DPS Bajwa (retd) made for an unpleasant read. A flying officer is a responsible commissioned officer in the IAF. They are very often appointed as ‘unit adjutant’. An adjutant is the administrative right hand of the Commanding Officer. So, a breach of security of information certainly warranted stern disciplinary action. The writer mentions, “Our CO moved the unit about 40 km from the station.” No CO has such authority. Such orders originate from the Air Headquarters to meet operational requirements. That the CO was posted out on flimsy grounds seems farfetched. The middle not only sends a wrong signal to young officers and men, but also tarnishes the honourable chair of a CO.

Harbans Singh, Ambala Cantt 

Shakespeare the great

Apropos the report on a life-size tribute to Shakespeare on his 400th death anniversary (Feb 12), I, being a student of English literature, am glad that an installation featuring over a dozen of Shakespeare’s famous works has been crafted from paper and cardboard. Is it not surprising that people who have never read and seen any of Shakespeare’s 37 plays, and who use undergraduate-level English in their daily conversation, quote and use Shakespearean expressions unwittingly. Indeed, English language has co-opted, borrowed and incorporated Shakespeare-ism so extensively that the language itself has been compared to a table with four legs: being the contribution of Latin, French, usages from the Bible and the omnipresence of Shakespeare. Matthew Arnold in his poem Shakespeare writes: “Others abide our question — thou art free! out-topping knowledge...in that victorious brow.”

Vijay Sheel Jain, Ludhiana

Why ‘last’ respect?

During the wreath-laying ceremonies for departed soldiers, the term ‘last respect’ is used. Instead, only ‘respect’ should be used. ‘Last’ should be omitted as the respect we give to the martyrs is forever, and not once and for all. Similarly, instead of using ‘antim ardas’ or last prayer, only ‘ardas’ should be used as we will always pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul. 

Saurabh Sambyal, Panchkula

Not done

The mayhem triggered by the unjustified, brutal Jat agitation in Haryana resulted in the death of many people and destruction of property worth many crores. The crisis was fuelled by the total inept handling of the situation by the state government and  caused much inconvenience to the public. This situation of utter turmoil was exploited by airlines by charging astronomical and unjustified fares from helpless passengers. The airlines thus flagrantly abused their dominant position. The government inaction, coupled with the stoic silence of the regulatory authorities, if any, is indeed painful. Will somebody check this practice, which unscrupulous airlines often employ in every crisis situation?

BAKHSHI GURPRIT SINGH, Jalandhar

No-good govt 

In the film ‘Nayak’, goondas loot and damage public property and the chief minister stops the police from taking strict action. This is what has happened in Haryana. While hotels, dhabas, shops and houses were being looted and burnt, Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh were ‘ordering’ the police and military personnel not to be ‘strict’ with the miscreants. They were perhaps counting their votes, with elections to be held in Uttar Pradesh next year. The Modi government has failed on all fronts. In one year of its rule, it has succeeded in creating chaos everywhere. 

BL Gohal, Nabha 

Revisit quota

The reservation policy and extending of freebies to various sections of society have done great harm and requires a revisit. No doubt, the socially and economically weaker sections deserve reservation to enable them to reap the fruits of development, but the families of economically well-off people, who have already taken the benefits of reservation, should be excluded. Vote-bank politics has led to the present crisis which has caused huge loss to property, harassment to public and has shaken the social fabric.

JANESHWAR KUMAR JAIN, Chandigarh

Stay strong

The Haryana Government has decided to give reservation to Jats because it is not able to control the law and situation in the state. The reservation system should be abolished. The government must try to maintain law and order and not crumble under pressure.

BIMAL KUMAR, Amritsar

Need for overhaul

It is disheartening to see the ever-widening chasm between our rulers and the masses even after 69 years of Independence. Amendments must be made. The government must consider the continuity, or not, of the reservation policy, and other disputed sections under the IPC.

Manisha Manhas, Pathankot

At whose expense? 

The recent full-page advertisement given by AAP in almost all newspapers of Punjab, at public expense, are a waste of the taxpayers’ money. AAP must come up with solutions to problems being faced by Punjab, like drug abuse, corruption, unemployment, financial conditions and depletion of groundwater.  

NAVNEET SETH, Dhuri

Expand rail network

The Pathankot-Jogindenagar rail track was built between 1926 and 1929 by the British. But even after so many decades, the track hasn’t moved even an inch. Will the Railway Ministry ever expand the rail network in Himachal Pradesh? It will be a boon for tourism, and also an alternative route for our security forces to J&K.

ANKUR VERMA, Kangra

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