A statesman held in high esteem

With reference to ‘Lessons that MMS taught us’ (The Great Game); the article is a glowing tribute to a Dr Manmohan Singh — a great teacher, thinker, world-class economist, visionary diplomat and statesman held in high esteem. Through his humility, simplicity and magnanimity, Dr Singh has taught many lessons not only to the people of India but also the entire world. The article’s concluding lines outline the priorities of a diverse nation like India by summing up the very essence of national spirit. The assertion that there is no room for division of the nation on communal, sectarian or ethnic lines is realistic. Not only the political class, but all must join hands to implement the conjoined legacy. Sincere, non-partisan and nation-above-everything zeal is the need of the hour to translate this legacy into reality.

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PK Sharma, BARNALA

Must rise above divisive agenda

Refer to ‘Dr Singh faced criticism with grace’; during his tenure as PM, Dr Manmohan Singh functioned in a calm manner — a rare quality which is missing in today’s politicians. He led a coalition government for two terms, but took all partners along. This was not an easy job for someone who did not have much knowledge of political manoeuvrings. He lifted the economic morale of the country by reaching out not only to his party colleagues but also Opposition leaders. He achieved the ambitious goal of providing food to every Indian by bringing in the Right to Food Act. It would be the richest tribute to him if all parties and their leaders could rise above divisive politics.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

The gentle giant of Indian politics

Refer to ‘Dr Singh faced criticism with grace’; Manmohan Singh, the architect of economic reforms in India, had the remarkable ability to turn his critics into admirers through his gentleness and humility. He served the country as an economist, RBI Governor, Finance Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister with utter devotion, discipline and distinction. He was a man who suffered the ravages of Partition and yet made it to the highest office in the country through sheer hard work. He once said, “I hope history will judge me more kindly than the contemporary media today”. Let us hope that his words will ring true and that would indeed be a great tribute to this gentle giant of Indian politics.

Gurnoor Grewal, Chandigarh

Spare educational institutes

Playgrounds of Punjab Agricultural University, a premier education and research institute, have been virtually taken over by the promoters of a Diljit Dosanjh concert, which is being held on New Year’s Eve. The use of playgrounds for concerts and political events is a disservice to the very essence of community spaces. These are sacred areas designed to foster creativity, social interaction and physical wellbeing. By transforming these spaces into makeshift stages, we risk denying the accessibility that these provide. Such events cause noise pollution and pose a threat to the institution’s infrastructure. They also send a troubling message that commercial and political interests can override the fundamental needs of the youth. Singers and their sponsors have the resources to organise concerts away from cities rather than forcing administrators of colleges or universities to allow the misuse of their well-tended campuses. There is a dire need to save educational institutes from this public menace.

JS Kang, Ludhiana

Migration must be a choice

Apropos of ‘Migration slowing’; migration has been slowing in recent years, influenced by socio-economic factors such as improved rural infrastructure and targeted government schemes. This trend highlights a significant shift as urban centres are becoming less attractive due to rising living costs and environmental challenges. Meanwhile, rural areas are witnessing development through initiatives like MGNREGA and better access to education and healthcare. However, this change presents both opportunities and challenges. A focus on skill development, local entrepreneurship and equitable resource distribution is essential to make migration a choice rather than a necessity.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla