Build defence capability

Apropos the article ‘Time to upgrade military capabilities running out’ (Feb 8), it is very true as time and tide do not wait for anyone. Being a peace-loving country, India has aggressive designs towards none, and hence, rightly or otherwise, has not upgraded its war machine for decades. If some rogue and inimical nations around us thrust war, we will be found wanting in resources and may have to pay a heavy price. Therefore, under all circumstances, war or peace, we have to equip ourselves to the extent that our adversaries feel threatened before thinking of any misadventure. It will also address our internal security problems, once for all. A token increase in the defence budget doesn’t augur well. The government should do more to enable the defence forces to outwit enemies in the event of a two-front war scenario.

Col Sajjan Kundu (retd), Hisar

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Betraying own country

Reference to ‘IPS officer suspended for leaking national secrets’ (Feb 10); the bodies made for the protection of the nation are indulging in corruption. Trust in such officials is waning. The government should take strict action against such officers, so as to root out corruption. Such officers, given the duty to protect the nation, are like termites that are making our country hollow.

Akshara Gurbani, Kanpur

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Fake degree scam

Refer to the news report ‘Fake degree case: Varsity told to file FIR’ (Feb 10); it is shocking that a person with a fake degree from Manav Bharti University of Himachal Pradesh is not only holding the position of HoD of the civil engineering department at Indus International University since 2014, but is also teaching and guiding MTech and PhD students. This is only the tip of the iceberg. A thorough investigation must be carried out as to how fake degrees from the universities are managed by such persons. This also puts a question mark on the quality of students passing out of such universities. The state’s Regulatory Commission must ensure that all those involved in such scams are punished as per law.

BD Sharma, AMRITSAR

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Growing gun culture

The report ‘Punjabis’ love for guns has security agencies alarmed’ (Feb 10) is another blow to the image of Punjab. The land of five rivers was known for Green Revolution and producing sportspersons, soldiers and freedom fighters in the past, but is now known for drug menace, water crisis, youth migration, gun culture, etc. The youth gets influenced by Punjabi video songs which display expensive cars, guns and liquor. Youth is the future of the nation. The government must channelise their energy towards building a better Punjab, a better India. Parents should not spoil their children by buying them bikes, cars and other expensive things. More restrictions should be imposed on granting arms licences.

Vikramjit Singh, Amritsar

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Voters happy with AAP

Apropos ‘Exit polls predict big win for AAP’ (Feb 9), the ruling party’s chances of getting a clear majority in the exit poll assessment show that the people of the Capital have shown immense faith in the AAP government. The implementation of free travel in buses, free water and electricity up to 200 units, mohalla clinics and improvements in public offices, hospitals and schools are some praiseworthy initiatives of the AAP government. Other governments should learn a lesson from this. The Kejriwal government has been successful in leaving an indelible impression on the minds of the local voters.

Yugal Kishore Sharma, Faridabad

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Second-time not lucky

Apropos Julio Ribeiro’s article ‘How inspirational officers can help transform lives’ (The Sunday Tribune, Feb 9), I was on emergency duty in the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, when PM Das was brought one late evening in the mid-eighties. There was firearm injury on one side of the chest. Blood as well as air was oozing out of the wound. It was obvious that his lung was punctured. The chest X-ray showed pneumothorax with lung collapse. Blood transfusion was started and the SMO, who was also a surgical specialist, was called. Later, he was referred to DMC, Ludhiana. Fortunately, he survived the trauma. I have put this episode in my book — Autobiography of an unknown doctor. Unfortunately, he couldn’t survive the next incident, and was buried in an avalanche while trekking in the Himalayas a few years later. I was saddened to read about that mishap.

Dr JS Wadhwa, Kapurthala

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