Drug network

Refer to ‘Countering narco terror’; the experience of countries in the West has shown that a booming drug trafficking network can hollow out the state apparatus, jeopardise the future young generations and create a parallel economy that becomes impossible for the government to tackle or control. The government is right to put the country on alert and crack down on traffickers and peddlers, especially when certain states are reeling under the adverse impact of the drug menace.

RAMESH GUPTA, NARWANA

Narco terror

In reference to ‘Countering narco terror’; drug menace continues to exist despite promises made to eradicate it by all political parties in their election manifestos. Panchayats, NGOs, religious groups, awareness among students, effective police administrations, security on borders and robust will power of the government may halt this rapidly growing evil. The routes, be it by sea, air or land, must be put under the vigilance of strict and honest officers equipped with modern gadgets like mobile position systems, along with autonomy to take action without any interference by anybody. There are many checkposts and other detecting system. The smugglers can never reach their destination without the cooperation or knowledge of persons deployed at check points at airports, seaports or railway stations.

Dilwar Ali Meerak, Tohana

Chinese challenge

Refer to ‘China & rhymes of history’ and ‘Deadlock persists even after 17th round of India-China talks’; China has been building border infrastructure against India for long and seems determined to challenge India militarily. China has constructed rail lines and highways in inhospitable regions exclusively to grab Indian territory. India still lacks infrastructure and railway lines and roads for military deployment at its borders. We don’t have any mass transportation mode to man the borders from the east to west.  

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

Issue of security

Apropos of ‘China and rhymes of history’; why is the policy of obfuscation and reticence being adopted by the government over frequent Chinese transgressions into Indian territory? China wants to hurt us in every conceivable way to scuttle our economic growth and impede our fast-emerging image as a superpower. The nation must be taken into confidence by apprising Parliament about every detail of such critical developments. The cult image of PM Modi cannot be sustained and bolstered by concealing and distorting facts pertaining to national security. What plagues our system today is the disingenuous attempt of the ruling dispensation that the Opposition is sabotaging national interest and is not cooperating with the government in meeting security challenges. All credit for any success on the border issue is given to the current powerful regime. Distorting ground reality would exacerbate the crisis.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

The ‘right man’

Reference to the middle ‘Vajpayee’s sense of humour’; wit and humour were his trademark. Vajpayee’s oratorial skills stumped everyone, especially the Opposition. Author Khushwant Singh once wrote that Vajpayee was the right man in the wrong party. The Opposition would take on the BJP for the party’s hard line on religious issues but praised Vajpayee for his moderate approach. He used to retort, ‘If I am the right man, how can I be in the wrong party?’ His observation about Pakistan that one can change one’s friends but not neighbours (‘Aap apne dost badal sakte hain, padosi nahi’) is well known. He would also remark, ‘Deewaron mein jharokhe toh hon, taank-jhank ke liye.’

Jaswant Singh Gandam, Phagwara

Homeless and cold

The homeless are the worst-hit in winters, with no place to call home. People are found sleeping on footpaths adjoining bridges, flyovers, temples, parks, railway platforms, etc., but nobody is concerned about their plight. The Supreme Court had passed an order recommending the provision of night shelters to the homeless in winters. The authorities concerned should be duty-bound to mark at least temporary night shelters or halls and provide quilts and mattresses to the needy. NGOs should also take up this genuine issue and widely publicise shelter homes for the homeless in the ongoing extreme cold days.

Harpreet Sandhu, Ludhiana

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