Break ice with Pakistan

Reference to the photograph of the UN chief at Kartarpur Sahib (Feb 19); his statement reiterates the urgency of reviewing our policy toward Pakistan. Only yesterday, the UN chief had offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue. These developments are attributable to lack of any fresh diplomatic initiative with Pakistan, which, of late, appears active in building a favourable world opinion. India cannot afford to be isolated for a long time and should immediately engage Pakistan in all bilateral issues, including Kashmir.

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JAGDISH CHANDER, JALANDHAR

Hindus reject Hindutva

The Delhi election results have shown that majority of Hindus, including those who are uneducated, are essentially secular in nature. The CAA was meant only to further the BJP’s agenda of polarisation, which the people of the Capital have rejected. The BJP-led government should withdraw it, bring in a common civil code, take measures to contain population and provide right to education up to the age of 14, in the true sense, by punishing parents who do not send their children to school. This will help in the development of the country.

Col NARESH GHAI (Retd), Ludhiana

Toward gender parity

The Supreme Court’s decision to ensure that women officers are given permanent commission as well as command posting is a verdict that demolishes prevalent gender discrimination in the real spirit (‘SC okays command role for women’, Feb 18). Hopefully, the day is not far when the ‘right to equality’ will also mean ‘right to succeed’, and become a fundamental right.

Aman Cheema, Kapurthala

She, too, can do it

Women have been always an important pillar in society, and yet have been subject to discrimination at all levels. But decisions like the recent Supreme Court judgment, allowing permanent commission to women, is commendable, for it strengthens women empowerment, not just theoretically, but also practically. Our society needs to understand that women can not only stand shoulder to shoulder with men, but also go a step ahead of them. This attitude needs to gain currency in order to end gender discrimination in every field.

Sejal Goyal, by mail

Educating girls

The article ‘Invest in education or girls to reduce poverty’ (Feb 11) is thought provoking. A girl-child invariably gets step-motherly treatment at home or school. Parents do not treat girls on a par with boys — especially in rural areas — be it diet, living standard or education. Empowering women and girls is the key to social transformation. The first step is to give proper education to them to encourage sustainable development. Cumulative efforts of the government, society and parents are required for this.

RAJ KUMAR KAPOOR, Ropar

Coaching centres

In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of coaching institutes. Their flexible timings encourage students to bunk schools and attend classes in these centres, which provide bags, own books, recorded lectures, etc. This is adversely affecting our education system, as students don’t feel the necessity of schools. Schools help in overall development.

SUKHMAN PREET KAUR, Patiala

Great visionary

Refer to Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia’s birth anniversary (Feb 2); he was a true secularist and instead of living a luxurious life, like most big Sikh and Muslim landlords of his time in Punjab, he acted altruistically and established The Tribune. I started reading the paper at the age of 14, when our headmaster advised us to read at least one news item from this paper, placed on a lectern in the compound of the school (now in Pakistan). He would explain the meaning of difficult words. He was indeed one of the leading figures of the country. Whenever I see his picture, I am reminded of Allama Iqbal’s verse: Hazaaron saal nargis apni benoori pe roti hai/Badi mushkil sey hota hai chaman mein deedavar paida.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

Rising rape cases

Not a day goes by when we do not read cases of rape in newspapers. Why have our menfolk become so shameless? There are countless cases where victims are small children of four to five years. Undoubtedly, the accused in such cases are savages. The only way to root out this obnoxious tendency is to award deterrent and harsher punishment. The government should take such offences more seriously.

PRITAM BHULLAR, CHANDIGARH

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