Don’t abandon disabled soldiers

Refer to ‘A soldier must not be fighting the state’; the Armed Forces Tribunals (AFTs) have, in the past, consistently ruled in favour of granting disability benefits to soldiers. However, the government’s recent U-turn filing writ petitions against virtually every favourable AFT decision has burdened ex-servicemen with avoidable litigation. Such a stance undermines not only the welfare of veterans but also the faith soldiers place in the system. However, the issue of misuse of disability benefits cannot be ignored. But the September 2023 rules on disability pensions, which introduced fresh conditions and exclusions, appear to tilt the balance too far against the soldiers. Ex-servicemen must never feel abandoned by the state they served with honour.

Amarjit Singh, Mohali

Review disability benefits

With reference to ‘A soldier must not be fighting the state’; disability benefits provide crucial support to disabled soldiers injured in the line of duty, and denying them these benefits can exacerbate their struggles. There should be a thorough review of the disability benefits to ensure that soldiers get the monetary help they require. Greater transparency in the allocation of resources and decision-making processes can help build trust and ensure that the needs of soldiers and their families are met. Hiring lawyers is a financial burden on them.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Kharar

Capital for Haryana

Apropos of ‘Haryana also needs a capital of its own’; the people of Haryana have been denied the benefit of its own capital for the last six decades. Districts like Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurugram and Faridabad are too far from Chandigarh. People face a lot of inconvenience if they have to travel to Chandigarh for any work or attending a court case in the High Court. The apathetic political leadership of Haryana must demand a capital for its people in a centrally located region of the state. This will go a long way in helping people in governance-related issues. An independent High Court can address its people’s woes to a great extent.

HMS Nagra, Faridabad

No separate Governors needed

Refer to ‘Haryana also needs a capital of its own’; the demand for a separate capital for the state appears to be unwarranted. If the state could function properly without a separate capital for more than six decades, it can continue with the present arrangement. More so because the state has not been facing any problem by not having a High Court of its own. If Haryana and Punjab are amicably sharing both their capital city and the High Court, they should do away having two separate Governors for the two states.

Balvinder, Chandigarh

Long-term space planning

With reference to ‘Space mission’; in an era when China is targeting satellites and the US is contemplating shield systems like the Golden Dome, India cannot afford to treat space security as peripheral. A future space-based anti-missile system must be part of our long-term planning. The proposed 119 satellites will not only enhance our defence and civilian capabilities but also strengthen India’s reputation as a trusted launchpad for foreign clients. Just as seafarers once braved oceans to discover distant lands, today’s astronauts are venturing into the cosmos as pioneers. India must not repeat the historical pause after Sailendra dynasty’s maritime expansions from 7th to 9th centuries — this time, our voyage must be unrelenting.

Harsh Pawaria, Rohtak

Growing Bangladesh-Pak proximity

‘Apology first: Bangladesh presses Pak on 1971 atrocities in bilateral talks’; Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Bangladesh after 13 years signals a reset in Dhaka-Islamabad ties with talks on trade and defence cooperation. For India, this is worrisome as Sheikh Hasina’s ouster has weakened one of its strongest regional partnerships. The new leadership in Dhaka seems inclined to balance ties with Pakistan and China, reducing India’s influence. Closer Pakistan-Bangladesh relations could affect India’s transit access, security cooperation and trade advantages, compelling New Delhi to rethink its regional strategy. It is time to put trade diplomacy into action vis-a-vis both neighbouring nations.

RS Narula, Patiala