Don’t lower guard

The pandemic has seen the medical community under immense pressure. The deaths caused have been discouraging for everyone and only highlight the need for more steps to prevent any such repeat of the disease on this scale again. We have seen the first wave and the second wave and should take all precautionary measures including Covid-appropriate to protect ourselves. The government has taken measures to ensure vaccination for the eligible population, seen as having some role in granting protection. In the fight against an invisible and unknown enemy, it is better to rely on science rather than conjectures which may only prove to be counter-productive. The impending festival season also calls for some caution due to rush.

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Garv Bhupesh, Panchkula

Out of focus

The NIDM has warned us about the third wave. But look at a Central minister’s arrest in Maharashtra, the urgent pursuit of carrying out Jan Ashirvaad Yatras across the length and breadth of the country, Himachal deciding to keep schools closed till September 4, efforts afoot to force the Punjab CM to vacate the chair, chaos during the monsoon session in Parliament, and the denial of any death0 for lack of oxygen. And then, we keep gloating over our achievements on Independence Day — how the whole world marvels at our fight against the virus. How lakhs of crores are spent on infrastructure! There is shortage of doctors and the jobless in some states are agitating for denial of appointments, despite clearing the selection process successfully. The ordinary citizen is a helpless witness to the spectacle of politics and the unabated game of passing the buck.

Lalit Mohan Sharma, DHARAMSALA

Economic challenge

After witnessing the second wave of Covid-19, India was in a devastating condition with an increasing number of deaths and is still struggling where the economy is concerned. The US, where over half the population is vaccinated, while over 60% have received at least one dose, the pandemic situation is under control. India is in a dire situation with more than half of its population left to be vaccinated, especially children who are more vulnerable as the Delta variant creeps in. It is of vital importance to get the underage vaccinated at the earliest. India should be ready to face the third wave or else our economy, which is recorded as being the country with the worst performance among other economies, will face more problems. A sharp drop in the GDP is the largest in the country’s history. If the situation continues, there will be severe economic hardships and negative impacts on lifelong earnings and employment prospects.

Sahibaa Jauhar, Yamunanagar

Ethical politics

Refer to ‘Turn in politics to reclaim nation’s moral centre’; transformation among politicians is the need of the hour. To avoid bemoaning the low standards of politicians, including history sheeters with a criminal record, we need to be motivated for encouraging political morality with honest and law-abiding youth to become politicians. Time has come when politics cannot be treated as an art and science of making excuses and doing wrong things. India needs ethical politicians who know how to debate and discuss issues in and out of Parliament, state Assemblies and panchayats and urban local bodies without blame game. The middle class intelligent youth need to be motivated to accept politics as a career, instead of the rat race to become an engineer, doctor or bureaucrat. Politics has to be accepted as a profession with a changed mindset requiring ethical training. It is true that ‘ the crown always finds its way to the right head’ in a democracy which requires the voting rate of 100 per cent.

MM Goel, by mail

Start small

Reference to the article ‘The deshbhakti curriculum’; despite efforts and investments in the education sector, we are unable to impart quality education to upcoming generations. The reason is simple. The focus is more on theoretical skills rather than practical understanding of things. Virtues like being truthful, respectful and being helpful play a key role in understanding the higher values like humanity, unity, fraternity, and integrity. Focusing on small traits could lead to a path of true patriotism.

Gurinder Singh, Moga

Poor state of colleges

Refer to ‘No permanent campus for 48 govt colleges’; is the government only for dictatorship? This is why India is not ranked amongst the top 20 countries for academics. Residences of MLAs and Governors are better run than colleges. Our government really doesn’t care about the education system. Neither are there colleges nor are there any jobs, thus leading to unemployment. Everyone can’t afford to pay the fee charged by private colleges. If the government is helpless, what is its purpose?

Simran Ahuja, Yamunanagar

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