Disservice to RTI spirit

Apropos of the editorial ‘RTI on its knees’; the RTI Act was enacted in 2005 by the Manmohan Singh-led government to facilitate a greater flow of information from public authorities to the common man as a weapon of empowerment. It was a revolutionary legislation that had placed huge powers in the hands of the ordinary citizen to demand a transparent and accountable administration. But successive governments have chipped away at the Act, making their actions less accountable and transparent to the people. There are a huge number of cases pending with information commissions nationwide. Everyone should remember that democracy is not just about seeking benefits but also about contribution to nation-building.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, ropar

Dilution is anti-democratic

The RTI Act is not only about getting information but also about getting it as a ‘right’, something which goes a long way in strengthening democracy through transparency. Opaqueness in governance is a recipe for disaster. The Act needs to be strengthened to take the country in the right direction by adding checks and balances as inbuilt safety measures. The strength of a democracy is directly proportional to the strength of its citizens. Dilution of the Act in any manner is anti-democratic and unacceptable.

Jagvinder Singh Brar, Patiala

Strengthen the law, don’t stifle it

Refer to ‘RTI on its knees’; the Right to Information Act is a crucial law that gives people the right to access information in a time-bound manner so that they can make informed decisions. It promises transparency in government functioning and a bulwark against corruption. But the Act can’t deliver the desired results unless it is implemented in a wholehearted manner. The Central Information Commission and many state information commissions are understaffed. No wonder the pendency of appeals is rising day by day. Letting off evasive public authorities with minor admonishments and not imposing heavy fines is another impediment.

KR Bharti, Shimla

Address govt school crisis

Refer to ‘Teacher crisis’; the editorial rightly highlights Himachal Pradesh’s crumbling school education system, marked by severe teacher shortage and the dominance of private English-medium schools. Even the poorest parents avoid Hindi-medium government schools as attractive names like ‘Schools of Excellence’ cannot compensate for inadequate staff and facilities. Moreover, staffing schools with zero enrolment while ignoring understaffed ones worsens the crisis. Recruiting an adequate number of qualified teachers with a focus on the English medium, a global language of opportunity, is crucial to reversing this trend.

Chanchal S Mann, una

Prioritise quality education

Refer to ‘Teacher crisis’; education and health are not among our national priorities as we invest minimum resources in them, in contrast to many other developing or developed nations. Himachal Pradesh’s education scenario is pathetic as vacancies of teachers are not being filled. Many other states, particularly in the Hindi-speaking belt, are nearly sailing in the same boat. During a visit to China a decade ago, I asked my guide, “How has your country developed so fast in a short time?” She replied with a smile, “Sir, it happened due to three things: Education, Education, Education. Our leadership has accorded priority to quality education.”

BM Singh, Amritsar

Trump’s dangerous rhetoric

Apropos of ‘Trump doesn’t rule out force to take Panama Canal, Greenland’; Donald Trump’s alarming rhetoric on using force or economic means to acquire the Panama Canal, Greenland and even annex Canada echoes dangerous expansionist ambitions of dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. Such aggressive policies, masked as national interest, risk destabilising international relations and undermining global peace. His call for prioritising military dominance over diplomacy is equally troubling. History has shown that unchecked territorial ambitions lead to conflict and devastation. It is vital for global leaders to reject such authoritarian tendencies and uphold principles of cooperation and mutual respect.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar