Economic warning signs

Apropos the editorial ‘State of the economy’ (Jan 9), our economy was regarded as one of the fastest-growing in the world, and was all poised to register phenomenal growth, but has now degenerated into a shambles. All our plans for inclusive financial growth seem to have gone haywire. It is worrisome that the projection for GDP growth rate has plummeted from 7% in July to around 5%. This situation, which is plagued by escalating joblessness, agrarian crisis, spiralling prices and declining exports and the worst rate of investments since 2005, calls for a thorough analysis. All this cannot be attributed to the bleak global economic scenario. Our country seems to be caught in a vicious cycle of political and economic unrest. Peace and stability are the prerequisites to set the engines of growth moving. The massive mandate enjoyed by the government should be used to create a conductive atmosphere to attract investors.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Find other ways to protest

The strike by various kisan unions and employee organisations against the government was constitutionally correct, but the way of the strike needs to be looked into. The stoppage of trains and road blockades causes inconvenience to the public. The unions must devise other methods to protest as the one used now causes no problem to the government. People book trains to their destinations for various purposes, but strikes create problems for them for no fault of theirs.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Minhas (retd), Mohali

Speedy justice effective

Apropos the editorial ‘Justice for Nirbhaya’ (Jan 9), the case may have reached its conclusive end, but the execution of the four rapists after a frustrating gap of seven years is hardly expected to act as an effective deterrent. Unabated reports of gruesome attacks on girls in different parts of the country expose the weakness of our system, which in the absence of expeditious implementation fails to fetch timely results. Influential oppressors, indifferent investigating agencies and tardy judicial system discourage most families of victims even from reporting the matter. Hats off to Nirbhaya’s family for the relentless battle. Onus is on the government to provide a safe environment for girls, and speedy justice in such cases.

Deepak Kaushik, Radaur

Right to safety

Refer to ‘Justice for Nirbhaya’ (Jan 9); what took the court so long to take a decision in such a significant case? Why a wait for seven years? Nirbhaya case has been highlighted by the media, but what about thousands of Nirbhayas whose cases are pending for years? Such cases should be heard on priority. The safety of women should be the key concern of the courts. Every citizen, be it a girl or a boy, should feel safe and secure in their own nation.

Surbhi Attreya, Meerut

Taking on drug mafia

Refer to the news ‘HC commandments on war on drugs’; these steps were necessary against the drug mafia. It is one of the major issues which is eroding our society. Youth are the main victim. If it continues to go the same way, the results will be devastating. It is now the sole duty of other state courts, too, that they take stringent actions against the mafia and those involved in the violation of rules and trafficking of drugs.

Vivek choudhary, Kangra

Bushfires & climate change

The news ‘Bushfire-hit Australia to cull 10,000 camels’ (Jan 9) is quite sad. Bushfire is not uncommon in Australia, but the current fires are more ferocious. A large number of animals have been killed by the current fires. Human and property losses have been colossal. We are still in denial mode about the realities of climate change and are on a path of irrational and irreversible overuse of the natural resources. Any further disturbance in an already fragile ecosystem will have far-reaching implications on our very existence. The world needs to awaken to protect the environment. If we do not act now, the situation will go out of control.

K Kumar, Panchkula

Changing villages

The middle ‘Village has changed, and all in it’ (Jan 9) is a short but telling and evocative account of the toll urbanisation and modernisation has taken on the picturesque sights of villages, which are a welcome relief from the deafening din of modern cities. Urgent attention needs to be directed towards retaining the pristine beauty of our villages by checking haphazard development resulting in various maladies like pollution and soil erosion.

Vimal Sethi, Kapurthala

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