IAF delivered with less resources

Refer to ‘IAF at 93: Balancing power, technology & reform’; efforts at Atmanirbharta may continue but operational preparedness cannot be compromised. The fighter aircraft squadron strength (29) is a little more than just half of the authorised strength of 42. The procurement of fighter aircrafts to make up for the shortage has been delayed by bureaucratic hurdles. HAL has never adhered to the promised timeline for delivery of aircraft or weapon systems. Operations like Balakot and Sindoor cannot wait for indigenous productions. The Indian Air Force has shown the world that even with the available resources, it can strike at will and with precision.

Wg Cdr JS MInhas (retd), Mohali

Right to vote must be protected

Refer to ‘Confusion over voters’; after running from pillar to post, the common man finally knocked at the doors of the apex court for the protection of their fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. No citizen of India should be deprived of his right to vote. We earned this right to elect our own governments at the state and Central levels because we waged a long freedom struggle against the British rule. The rural people, migrant workers and landless agriculture workers in huge numbers expect the Supreme Court Judges to defend and protect their constitutional right to vote.

Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad

Surplus teachers in urban schools

Reference to ‘No more VIP postings’; the Punjab government has rightly decided to end the long-existing culture of arbitrary choice postings in state-run schools. This would remove the anomaly of inadequate staff strength in schools in rural and remote areas that impacts students’ learning, examination performance and careers. It would also tackle the problem of surplus teachers in urban schools, decreased student engagement and wastage of public funds meant for fulfilling necessary educational needs. It would improve the overall standard of education in the state.

Parvaan Singh, Hoshiarpur

Remote areas face teacher crunch

Refer to ‘No more VIP postings’; the Punjab government’s decision to end choice posting for teachers is a step in the right direction. Most of the teachers manipulate urban postings in connivance with political and administrative bosses. As a result, rural schools reel under staff shortage. The same is true of Himachal Pradesh where most of the teachers do not want to be posted to schools in remote areas. This has a direct bearing on the future of the students studying in rural schools who lag behind their counterparts studying in urban schools.

MD Sharma, Shimla

Humour is a form of rebellion

Apropos of ‘Khushwant Singh’s humour lives on’; reading about the reputed author’s unapologetic wit, fearless satire and ability to laugh at himself reminds us that humour is not mere entertainment; it is a gentle rebellion against rigidity. In a world increasingly burdened with seriousness, humour acts as a life jacket helping us stay afloat above stress. It diffuses bitterness, questions authority without aggression and connects people beyond divisions. In literature too, humour is a powerful device. It makes truth more palatable and criticism more acceptable. Writers like RK Narayan, Premchand and Khushwant Singh used laughter not to mock, but to heal. Good humour does not insult; it reflects. It forces us to laugh at our follies before pointing fingers at others. It teaches humility, tolerance and resilience. Today, when outrage at workplaces, in institutions, and especially on social media is at its peak, we need humour more than ever before — not as sarcasm but as sanity.

Ashok Singh Guleria, Hamirpur

He lived life his own way

Khushwant Singh was a rare breed of individuals. He lived his life his way. Very few people do that. He is remembered for his jokes, his love for fine whiskey, his generous encouragement and, most of all, frankness. Singh was among the few people who took his own phone calls back then, had no malice towards anyone and was honest with his feedback. The magic in his words and writings will always be spoken about with love.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali