Create an enabling ecosystem for techies

Apropos of ‘Chance to make H-1B curbs irrelevant’; the prohibitive visa fee hike will have wide-ranging consequences for many countries, and even for the US economy too. But for the Indian IT industry, it may prove to be a boon, as it may stem brain drain from IITs, IIMs and other premier Indian Institutes. While India and other countries can do little to influence the ideological foundations of the US immigration policy, the question is what can be done domestically. India’s IT sector has formidable talent. The government needs to look beyond the labour arbitrage model, create a talent pool and nurture an enabling ecosystem.

SK Singh, by mail

Public awareness on freebies

With reference to ‘Modi’s poll pragmatism & revdi culture’; the issue of offering freebies when polls are around the corner is a complex one. In Bihar, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana provides monetary benefits to women, which is a form of vote-buying. Cash transfers can influence voters’ decisions, undermining the democratic process. Educating voters about the implications of freebies can help them make informed decisions. Public awareness campaigns can help educate voters about the importance of fair elections and the potential risks of free benefits. Voters must consciously resolve to not vote those to power who offer giveaways.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Kharar

End revdi culture

It has now been proved beyond doubt that all parties are hell bent on winning elections by hook or by crook. Any kind of free benefit given with any justification whatsoever is a burden on the exchequer and also weakens the beneficiaries. The poor and the downtrodden who avail of these schemes then vote for the clever politicians. It is a wake-up call for all citizens not to accept alms, live by self-pride and come together to get rid of the revdi culture and contribute to ushering in an era of clean politics.

Col Sajjan Kundu (retd), Hisar

Degeneration of Punjabi culture

Refer to’ Why Punjab needs a public library law, urgently’; the minuscule number of state libraries in Punjab is shocking. So is the state of neglect of the existing 15. No wonder our evenings are spent only in vainglorious pursuits reflected in the overall degeneration of Punjabi culture. Legal glitches in this respect should be removed and funds, if and when available, be spent in providing more reading space. The library hours must be extended to attract more readers. Purchase of books should be guided by experts and multiple copies of expensive books should be avoided. Books need not be locked in ostentatious cupboards, but people should be able to benefit from them.

Mohan Singh, Amritsar

Govt shutdown erodes public trust

The US risks a government shutdown which means some official services will be halted and salaries of employees will be put on hold. Such crises arise when Congress fails to pass Bills, leaving federal agencies without funds. Essential services like defence and social security continue, but millions of workers face unpaid work and citizens suffer delays in immigration, food safety and research. Economically, shutdowns weaken growth, unsettle markets and damage global confidence. Trump sees it as a tool to cut spending, but history shows little long-term benefit. Instead, shutdowns expose political dysfunction and erode public trust.

Sahil Garg, Rampura Phul

Poor farmers need govt help

Burning of paddy residue continues in some areas of Punjab, but the number of stubble burning cases has significantly gone down. Farmers alone cannot be blamed for this step, the problem lies in the failure of inefficient policies of both the Centre and state governments. Help to farmers with small landholdings remains elusive who are left with no other alternative but to burn the stubble as they are in hurry to prepare the land for sowing wheat.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar