DCGI approval

Apropos of ‘Vaccines are here’, though the DCGI has approved the emergency use of Covishield and Covaxin, the opacity surrounding data from trials, fast-tracking of data scrutiny and doubts over vaccine dosage and mutations have raised concerns. But India may not be an exception here; each country is adopting a different approach. For the second dose, the gap in the US is three-four weeks, whereas in the UK it is 12 weeks. In our own country, former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has needlessly injected partisanship by refusing to receive a BJP vaccine, but promising a free vaccine if his party forms the government next year. His political job is irresponsible and unwelcome, at a time when public communication messages must be framed accordingly. India should be guided by goals like national pride in developing indigenous vaccines and administering them at a low cost to the poor.

MS KHOKHAR, by mail

Modi, Shah must take lead

It seems that the decks have been cleared for India’s Covid vaccine programme to start January itself. However, some leaders of opposition parties are raising questions on the credibility of the Indian vaccine. Therefore, it will be in order if the first two persons to be inoculated in India are its Prime Minister and the Home Minister. This will go a long way in enhancing confidence in the indigenous vaccine.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, UK

Wasting taxpayers’ money

Apropos of ‘Clearance for Central Vista’, even if the Supreme Court has given its nod to the government to go ahead with the project which will house the new Parliament building, it’s nothing but wastage of taxpayers’ money from a commoner’s point of view. We need to retain our heritage, especially Parliament, which has high significance. There is no doubt that a lot of these old buildings need a facelift, particularly the Parliament building, but the changes can be carried out in the existing building. This particular building is only 100 years old, whereas much older buildings are still intact and being used across the world. Heritage value is linked to such buildings which must be maintained with only necessary alterations made to suit the present requirements. The main structure should be left untouched. The SC and the government must reconsider the decision.

SANJAY CHOPRA, MOHALI

Support to terrorists

The news report ‘Omar, Mufti want bodies to be given to kin’ is not surprising; rather, it shows their open support to terrorists. Their demand is absurd on two counts. Firstly, the terrorists are given a chance to surrender, and many times, even the kin are brought to appeal to terrorists to surrender. Secondly, the terrorists, who kill innocent people, do not deserve to be called humans. As such they do not deserve human rights. Moreover, when it is often said terrorism has no religion, why should their bodies be buried?

AK SHARMA, CHANDIGARH

Another heinous crime

The news ‘6-year-old girl strangled after rape’ is bone-chilling and ignominious. It is a matter of great shame for the entire nation. It is a heinous crime and the demons who commit such crimes should be dealt with stringently. It is astonishing what has gone wrong with our youth! The onus is directly on the parents who do not inculcate good values in their offspring. Though stringent laws have been enacted to deal with rape cases, especially those pertaining to minors, they do not act as a deterrent as the criminals have a long route to cover to reach the gallows. To eliminate this menace from society, spontaneous and exemplary punishment is required to be awarded, and no less than hanging. To enact draconian Acts or laws, a ‘clean’ Parliament is needed, but ruefully, it is full of MPs with tainted/criminal backgrounds. To provide good governance and to upkeep the dignity of Parliament, all parties should join hands and ensure that tickets are given only to educated aspirants of character and calibre.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar

Take team to task

Reference to ‘Players must respect rules’; the third Test match may be in progress soon enough, but the inquiry into the breach of protocols must go on with all seriousness and the offending players, including captain Virat Kohli, must be censured if indeed they have stepped beyond the boundaries of the ‘bio bubble’. They need to understand that when it comes to Covid-19 prevention, rules are non-negotiable. The virus will spare neither the shooter nor the messenger.

SS Paul, Nadia

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