Road named Aurangzeb
Apropos the editorial “A road named Aurangzeb” (September 3), Aurangzeb was controversial, but free from vice, stupidity and sloth. Under the Mughal kings, Akbar had 16% Rajput mansabdars and Shah Jahan 24%, but Aurangzeb had the highest at 33%.
AKP Sinha, Delhi
Political gimmickry
The rechristening of Aurangzeb Road after APJ Kalam is political gimmickry by the BJP-ruled NDMC. This dwarfs the stature and belittles the legacy of Kalam as it has the potential of creating fissures in the already polarised society. The practice of renaming institutes, cities, monuments, buildings, schemes, etc. already named after personalities should be resisted. Only new schemes, buildings, institutes, projects, etc. should be named after such personalities if it is a must.
Col BS Bhullar (Retd), Amritsar
Changes confusing
Popular names of roads must not be changed as it alters history on political grounds. The new roads coming into existence or unpopular unhistorical road names can be changed. Changed road names often make it difficult to locate the address and old habits are difficult to change. Curzon Road still confuses the older generation. They find it difficult to be familiar with new names such as Kasturba Gandhi Marg or the Rajiv Gandhi Chowk of Connaught Place (CP), which is still better known as CP only.
Mahesh Kapasi, New Delhi
Amendment fine
Aurangzeb did not spare even his father and brothers. He forcibly converted Hindus to Muslims. If the road named after him is changed to APJ Abdul Kalam Road, what is wrong? Mayawati, as CM of UP, had changed the names of districts and parks keeping in view the aspirations of people and recognised the services of certain eminent people. The logic that renaming a Delhi landmark is uncalled for, or an insult to Kalam, is not justified. Any stigma or unpopular fact of history should be cleared to confirm the belief that ‘history is repeated’. The names of roads, etc. must be considered as roadmaps which have to be amended from time to time and no issue must be made out of it.
Capt Amar Jeet Kumar, Mohali
Why no to Sikhs’ plea?
The Delhi government has changed the name of Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road. Sikhs in Delhi have been demanding that this road be renamed after Guru Teg Bahadur. Another road could have been named after the former President. If the reason to not rename the road after the Guru was to not change names of roads with historical names, why has it been done now? It will cause resentment.
IPS Anand, Gurgaon
Rename it after Guru
The nuclear man, Kalam, deserves this honour. Some months back, an online petition was started to rename Aurangzeb Road as Guru Teg Bahadur Road. The Guru had helped Kashmiri Pandits who were facing forcible conversion during that time. After committing a number of atrocities, the tyrant oppressor executed the Guru at Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Guru Teg Bahadur gave his life for the cause. Unfortunately, nothing was done to honour his sacrifice. Delhi must rethink this decision.
DS Thukral, Ambala
Foolish move
Renaming Aurangzeb Road simply because the Mughal emperor was a “bad Muslim”, brutal and anti-Hindu is ridiculous. The BJP government has been trying to force foolish agendas on anything and everything. No one has the right to change the ‘history’ of a nation. If Aurangzeb's name is written off history books, how will the coming generations know about his brutalities and anti-Hindu character? To honour APJ Abdul Kalam, let us observe his birth anniversary as “scholar's day”.
RK KAPOOR, Chandigarh
War stories
The Spectrum (August 30) gave details of the exceptional bravery of our soldiers who become martyrs in the war fought 50 years ago. The citations of two PVC winners in this war will inspire the youth to imbibe the qualities of patriotism and bravery.
Ghanshyam Gupta, New Bilaspur
Mishap rate alarming
That an average of 12 persons are becoming victims of road accidents in HP every day (August 31) is alarming. The slogan “Sadkein hamari bhagya rekhayen hain” (roads are our fortune lines) written on road signboards appears to project the negative side.
RS Kishtwaria, Palampur
Killer HP roads
This refers to the news story “18 killed as bus falls…” (Sept 2). Mishaps on ‘killer’ HP roads leave many dead and disabled almost daily. A magisterial inquiry is normally ordered and the buck passed on to bad roads or rogue drivers. The state government has played a cruel joke on the next of kin of those killed by paying them a measly Rs 25,000, and Rs 15,000 for those injured.
Shun piecemeal measures to address the nagging problem. Crack a whip on the errant drivers indulging in rash and drunk driving, cutting short their long duty hours and improving their working conditions, mending the ‘killer’ roads and discarding the old and worn-out buses. This should help.
RAMESH K DHIMAN, Chandigarh
Cancel licences
Most of the accidents take place due to overspeeding, overloading, overtaking, drunk driving, using drugs, hangover, mobile use, untrained driving, visibility problem, etc. The HP Government should deal with such cases strictly and cancel the licences of such buses.
Roop Singh Negi, Tranda (Kinnaur)
Give varsities funds
The refers to M Rajivlochan's article “On fictional republics of learning” (August 31). It is true that the higher education system today just means obtaining and disbursing degrees. On the other hand, the UGC has become the only constable to guide and improve the university affairs single-handedly. The higher education system seems to be stagnant in terms of reforms and jobs. An increase in the budgetary provisions on education is needed to make things better.
Rajesh Chander, Muktsar
Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com
