Connect with our cultural history

Refer to ‘Two museums and a visitor’ (The Great Game); the writer seems to be a connoisseur of art and culture. It is quite sensible to encourage people to visit museums and art galleries that house rare paintings and ancient sculptures. These help us connect with our rich cultural history. People abroad visit well-maintained museums and art galleries every year. In Chandigarh, such places remain rarely visited. We must find a way to get people back into cultural spaces, as suggested in the article. Without the public’s active interest and participation, we won’t be able to do justice to our glorious cultural heritage.

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RAJ BAHADUR YADAv, Fatehabad

Art deserves an audience

Apropos of ‘Two museums and a visitor’; Chandigarh’s museums hold treasures that remain tragically unappreciated. The Government Museum houses Gandhara sculptures, Pahari paintings and Corbusier’s architectural marvels. Yet, the silence in these art galleries is deafening — a stark contrast to the bustling malls in the city. One wonders why these cultural jewels are ignored. The answer lies in neglect, outdated brochures and inaccessible spaces. A few steps in the right direction would rekindle the youth’s interest in our cultural history. A vibrant city like Chandigarh deserves museums that inspire, not stagnate. To truly embrace its ‘City Beautiful’ title, the authorities must reinvigorate these spaces for all. Art deserves an audience.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

A clarion call for change

With reference to ‘Two museums and a visitor’; the article rekindles fond memories of school excursions to Chandigarh’s Government Museum and Art Gallery. These trips offered us a chance to engage with history through captivating murals, taking us back to bygone eras. The writer’s demand to dismantle the “mai-baap culture” is a clarion call for change. Chandigarh is more than a mere tourist or shopping destination; its cultural heritage warrants renewed attention. With collaborative efforts from parents, teachers and policymakers, museums can reclaim their significance, turning the city into a cultural and educational hub.

Vijay Kumar Katial, Panchkula

Need decentralisation of power

Apropos of ‘Policing integrity’; the zero-tolerance approach reflects the commitment of the Punjab and Haryana police towards uprooting corruption within the law enforcement agency. Some officers tend to take their position for granted. The corrupt practices of these officers have jeopardised the empowerment of the nation. Their modus operandi must be scrutinised and the nexus of the cops with criminals kept under surveillance. Besides suspension, the decentralisation of power and authority can serve as a game-changer. The tainted officers who evade accountability must be dealt with strictly.

Arvind Sharma, by mail

Assertive policing

Refer to ‘Policing integrity’; recent actions in Punjab and Haryana, where officers were dismissed for misconduct, highlight a critical juncture in policing. The Punjab DSP’s facilitation of a gangster’s interview was a new low. Haryana’s response to negligence in a triple murder case also shows commitment to accountability. These incidents, however, reveal deep-seated corruption within our police forces. With over 30 officers arrested in Punjab for graft and a third of Haryana’s trap cases involving cops, systemic reform is essential. Enhanced accountability, transparent investigations and independent oversight are imperative to restore public trust in the police force and uphold the law’s sanctity.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Anti-racism movement needed

With reference to ‘A case for Make America & India Great Again’; the group claiming that American greatness is directly linked to American whiteness is driven by resentment towards other races, particularly from India. Evidence of this is found in numerous posts on X that express hostility and bitterness towards Indians. This has escalated to the point that Indians often face ridicule and stereotypical remarks by Americans. One reason for this is the lack of an anti-racist sentiment among Indians. Another contributing factor is our tendency to overlook racist comments. Such developments must be closely examined and met with strong criticism.

Yugamdeep Tiwana, by mail