Inculcate social values

Reference to ‘Politicisation of administration’ (Sept 15); the pillar of democracy entrusted with implementing social welfare schemes is not so experienced. It also lacks the will to take the schemes to those in need. The day-to-day interference in its working is another problem. The time has come to inculcate social values like honesty, work culture and integrity in all pillars of democracy, apart from adopting a sympathetic attitude toward the downtrodden.

Kulbhushan S Thakur, Dhaliara

Timely advice

‘Politicisation of administration’ offers timely advice to the political class. Our politicians seem to be reading from scripts of films or TV serials while playing to the gallery. In contrast, lectures such as the one from which this article has been excerpted make us think.

Naresh Johar, Amritsar

True nation-builders

Apropos of the editorial ‘Death without data’ (Sept 16), all Indians are aware of their responsibility toward our brave soldiers. This pious concern was revealed during the wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971, when many Indians donated even tons of gold to the National Defence Fund. But what about the soldiers of the unorganised sector, working as skilled and unskilled labourers? Millions of such helpless individuals and families had to leave their workplace and proceed to their ancestral villages on foot under the most inhuman and pitiable conditions. Many died of hunger, fatigue and accidents. Surprisingly, our government has no data about these unfortunate people, who in the real sense are ‘Bharat nirmata’.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Question Hour goes

Apropos of ‘Death without data,’ (Sept 16), Question Hour keeps the government on its toes. If it had not been scrapped during this session of Parliament, the government wouldn’t have dared to give in writing that it doesn’t have any data of deaths of migrant labourers due to the lockdown. In reality, the government has tactically removed Question Hour as it does not have the courage to face the ire of the Opposition. National interest demanded a series of clarifications from the government on various issues such as the dwindling economy, loss of jobs in millions during the lockdown, tension at the border, loss of property and the number of deaths during floods, etc. But the government has deprived the Opposition the right to ask questions related to the aspirations of the people.

Faqir Singh, Dasuya

Need jobs, not wisdom

Refer to the NEP; we educate our wards not to become wise but to earn their bread and butter, and to get jobs on a purely merit basis. How can we remove the marksheet pressure? Jobs are given to the best performers. The five Cs — critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, curiosity and communication — need to be improved not just among students, but among teachers and others, too. Our national and regional languages are not known in any part of the world, or even the whole country. It is a blunder if we do not go with English language at an early stage. Nothing is new in this policy. When I was in school in the ’70s, these 5Cs were there, but we now do not have good critical thinkers or even thinkers.

PK Patpatia, Ambala

Rights in danger

Apropos of ‘Delhi cops seek 10-day custody of Umar Khalid’, it is evident that the Delhi Police have been doing a one-sided investigation. Had the police been impartial, they would have registered a case against Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. There is more video evidence against them for directly instigating violence rather than JNU students and women activists who were holding a peaceful protest. It seems that there is an invisible force which is directing police action. The people of the nation should worry about this, as Acts like UAPA and NSA have been misused by the authorities to suppress the democratic voices rising against them. We have already seen it in the case of Dr Kafeel Khan, where these Acts were used to put him in jail for a long time. We should guard our democratic rights.

Ishan Hastir, Gurdaspur

Joy of letters

Refer to ‘Original deliverer of message’; the post office had its own joy, which the millennials don’t know. Being a kid of the ’80s, I have experienced the transition from letter writing and sending greeting cards by post to emails, WhatsApp and SMSes. Letters had emotions attached to them, as they were written by hand and preserved by the receiver. Stamp collection used to be a hobby. In today’s fast-paced world, everything existing on paper is getting replaced by digital versions and are also sent and received in a few seconds across the globe through the Internet.

Vikramjit Singh, Amritsar

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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: [email protected]