Commercial surrogacy
Reference to ‘New surrogacy rules’; why is commercial surrogacy barred in India? Ethical questions will always be there, whether it is altruistic or commercial motive. Commercial surrogacy can be a far better means for women, especially the poor, to earn their livelihood in a dignified manner. Commercial surrogacy can also be a way to deal with the problem of infertility but one can’t go far to allow it to be exploited for it can be inimical to both physical and social health. The need is to channelise commercial surrogacy rather than prohibiting it. Allowing commercial surrogacy can help in mitigating wrong practices since unscrupulous means can be devised in this thriving industry to keep illegal surrogacy outside the sphere of commercial surrogacy to escape punishment but more debate is certainly needed.
Sunaina, Chandigarh
De-addiction pill
The initiative to raise the alarm against the potential misuse of the drug is laudable (‘Hooked on de-addiction pill’). Various agencies responsible to check the drug menace must take precautionary measures before the situation worsens. The media can play a vital role in spreading awareness regarding the ill effects of drugs. At the same time, threadbare information about the drug may be misused by gullible youngsters. The open cue to huge profits may attract anti-social elements to exploit the situation.
Sunil Kumar Mahajan, Ghumarwin
Try on trial basis
Refer to ‘Agnipath scheme needs to be more convincing’; why is the government in a hurry to implement the scheme? Unemployment has reached the highest level since independence and inducting Agniveers for four years cannot bring it down. If ToD has to be implemented, make it compulsory for all citizens intending to join government jobs in civil as well as corporate world. The security of the nation is more important than the pension bills of soldiers securing the borders at the peril of their life. Hasty decisions without consultation with stakeholders, veterans and experts would always go wrong. Discussions with serving officers are futile as they are bound by service rules. If it has to be implemented, do it on a trial basis, along with the assurance of dignified resettlement for 75% Agniveers who will hang their uniform after four years.
Wg Cdr Jasbir S Minhas (retd), Mohali
Poor voter turnout
Apropos of ‘It’s rejection of AAP: Oppn’, the result has proved two things. One is that people want work and not false promises. Secondly, the people are losing faith in political parties. When the AAP government could not keep its promises, the people started thinking that all parties are the same, resulting in the low turnout of voters. Our democracy needs a serious thought!
Faqir Singh, Dasuya
Induct into TA
Refer to ‘Agnipath scheme needs to be more convincing’; Modi and Shah come from a state that is known for having a good business acumen but Gujarat also is a state with coastline and areas bordering Pakistan. Introducing the Agnipath scheme is like ‘acting first and thinking later’. The protests have also come from many ex-top brass. The security situation due to China’s incursions and Pakistan’s continued infiltration is precarious. We can’t have soldiers who are not fully fit or trained for the job. The nation can’t compromise with quality, efficiency and effectiveness for the sake of cutting down costs. The defence services is not a place for experiments. There is another way. Develop the Territorial Army (TA), double it in numbers and quality, and encourage able-bodied persons to join it.
BM SINGH, AMRITSAR
Simranjit’s condition
Apropos of ‘Simranjit vows to take up people’s cause’, the controversial leader has won the Sangrur parliamentary election by defeating AAP candidate Gurmail Singh by a reasonable margin. The moot question is, would he still insist on going to Parliament with his 3-ft kirpan, like in the past? If he does so this time too, it will again be a betrayal of the people’s mandate. Good sense should prevail. He should not create unnecessary fuss on the issue and go to Parliament with a symbolic small kirpan which is permissible under the law of the land.
Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar
Charges against Teesta
Apropos of the detention of Teesta Setalvad, lawyers have the duty not to influence the decisions of courts by any illegal or improper means. They are also expected to conduct themselves not merely as a mouthpiece of the client, but also as officers of the court. The charges against activist Teesta are of a serious nature. A UN official has expressed concern over her arrest and has observed that ‘defending human rights is not a crime’. The law needs to take its own course.
V Jayaraman, Chennai
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