BRO’s technological feat

Hats off to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for completing the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh stretch. Though 70 per cent of the work was finished by 2014, the BJP government delayed it by stopping funds for the project. Otherwise, it would have been completed much earlier. The tunnel has two lanes for traffic where 3,000 cars and 1,500 trucks can move comfortably. I have seen the BRO’s works on hilly roads when I lived in NEFA from 1961 to 1965 and am full of appreciation for it.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

Tunnel a matter of pride

The long-awaited Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass, inaugurated by the PM, is among the first of its kind in the world. The daunting feat by the BRO has added to the country’s strategic strength. The biggest difficulty was in dealing with the unpredictable water inlet in the partly dug-out tunnel. This all-weather road is an engineering marvel and a matter of pride for the nation.

Kuldip Dosanjh, Jalandhar

Gender equality

Recently, a bizarre statement was made by the BJP MLA from Bairia in UP who said Hathras-like incidents can be stopped only if parents inculcate good values in their daughters. The MLA has been known for making controversial statements. He should realise where to fix the responsibility for heinous crimes. It reflects a distorted way of thinking. Society speaks of gender equality and such statements only point to the mindset which prevents it from happening.

Urvi Jain, Ujjain

Test of multilateralism

Reference to ‘UN has been at frontline of multilateralism’ (Oct 2); the ongoing UN General Assembly to mark its 75th anniversary comes at a time when the world body is facing its sternest test. With Covid-19 infecting millions, the world ought to be stepping up the cooperation to tame the disease. But the widening chasm between the United States and China is pulling the international community apart. This is undermining the work of various international bodies as exemplified by President Donald Trump to pull the United States out of the WHO. It is now clear that the UN-driven multilateralism as envisioned 75 years ago needs reforms to reflect the realities of today.

Mona Singh, Amritsar

Dealing with China

Apropos of “Xi reforms military to ‘fight and win’ battles” (Oct 5), as a dictatorial state, China can push measures with force and now wants to do the same with the rest of the world. Covid-19 spread from China, but it has not cared for world opinion. Countries have had to come together to take on China. India too will have to work out a fresh strategy to tackle a nation that has often proved to be deceptive in its deeds.

BM Singh, Amritsar

Tractor as symbol

Refer to the news item ‘BJP takes out tractor rally in Pathankot’ (Oct 5), after the popularity of mobile phone in online teaching, the tractor has become a symbol of farmers’ agitation. A tractor is a matter of pride for a farmer making the politicians adopt it to lead rallies to express solidarity with farmers. During the elections, politicians don various hues, putting on local costumes to enhance their appeal. During the present farmers’ agitation, the SAD and the Congress led a tractor rally to show their support. Not to be left behind, now the BJP planned a tractor rally in Pathankot to make the farmers aware of the benefits of the new farm laws.

Faqir Singh, Dasuya

Hathras incident

Reference to the news item ‘Hathras sealed amid outrage, police claim victim not raped.’ It seems the Yogi government in UP has its own different interpretation of the law. After the Hathras victim died, state officials have gone to extraordinary lengths to prove that she was not raped. Since she was cremated hurriedly, in the dead of night and without the consent of her parents, the only evidence is of her dying declaration statement, but will it be enough to convict those she named. The incident has brought out flaws in our democracy.

LJS Panesar, by mail

Heinous crime

Apropos of ‘Unreasonable curbs’ (Oct 3); barricading Hathras and putting an entire district under Section 144 to quell protests and preventing politicians from meeting the victim’s family shows the Yogi government’s eagerness to hide its failures. Why should a strong government feel so insecure as to cut off access to the village of a young Dalit girl brutalised by upper caste men? The answer lies in the heavy-handedness of the police and the UP government as it tries to brush under carpets its ineptitude.

EL Singh, by mail

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: Letters@tribunemail.com