Ethical leadership
“Rule of law vs ‘strong’ leader” (Nous Indica) stresses the need for an idealistically strong political leadership. Sadly, contemporary Indian politics has become increasingly personalised over the years, where a majority of the leaders are concerned more about serving their own or their party’s short-term interests rather than the long-term wellbeing of the nation and its people. Since long, the electorate has been vainly yearning for an ethical leadership which upholds constitutional values, promotes democratic institutions, listens to dissenting voices, and seeks cooperation from the Opposition for policy formulation and implementation. The current dispensation should strive to live up to leadership ideals, indulge in course correction by admitting its mistakes and maintain a positive focus on the needs and aspirations of its citizens for politically neutral development, better social transformation and national security.
DS Kang, Hoshiarpur
Notion of invincibility
“Rule of law vs ‘strong’ leader” (Nous Indica) has succinctly analysed the present political situation. The nation may be hurtling toward disaster, without consensus of the majority of the citizens on the ground! Farm reforms have not been accepted by farmers whom they were meant to serve. The agitation is coming to a boil. The protesters have peacefully borne the brunt of the state’s force! Nearly 40 persons have lost their lives in the bitter cold, yet the government is unable to find a via media to resolve the issue. There is a momentum growing in the minds of the people that the party in power is bent upon showing a sense of invincibility. This is not the correct approach in a democracy. The farm policies should be discussed at greater length with all parties and farmer unions, and put forward for debate in the next sessions of both Houses.
Mohanpal Singh, Chandigarh
Procurement on MSP
Apropos of ‘Paddy purchase on MSP up 24%’, it is heartening that whereas the overall paddy procurement was up by 24% than last year, Punjab stood on a higher pedestal by contributing 203 LMT (41%) to the Central pool. The phenomenal yield was due to the hard work of farmers, who were assured of procurement on MSP. And that is why they are staging a protest for making MSP a legal document. To continue the tempo of progress, the Centre should accede to the rightful demands of the farmers for the abrogation of the new farm laws.
Gurmit Singh Saini, Mohali
Scholarship scam
Reference to ‘Scholarship money scam’; the decision of colleges to withhold degrees and marksheets of the students is not justified. The post-matric scholarship amount has been withheld due to a tussle between the colleges and the government over a multi-crore embezzlement of scholarship funds. Students are the ultimate sufferers. Withholding their certificates has put their career at stake, even when they are not at fault. College managements should take up their grievances with the government, and the government, on its part, should expedite the process of payment of scholarship amount, after proper auditing, to colleges and universities. At the same time, those guilty of misusing the funds should be dealt with sternly, however influential they may be.
NK Gosain, Bathinda
Governors can’t be agents
Apropos of ‘CM has no right to challenge Governor’s authority, says BJP’, the Punjab Governor summoning the DGP and Chief Secretary for the law and order situation in Punjab is unconstitutional and unwarranted. Governors must be mindful of the dignity of their post and must not act like agents of the Central government. The state’s elected government under the CM has to take care of the law and order situation, and not the Governor. If the law and order situation is so bad and he doubts that the CM is not doing enough, he can recommend the dismissal of the government. He is like an umpire who can declare a no ball, but can’t play the game in any case.
Capt Amar Jeet Kumar (retd), Mohali
Masterly global shot
The report “Boris hails ‘amazing’ Brexit moment’ is a masterly global shot in keeping with the history of Europe. ‘Freedom and its potentials’ stand projected for individuals, groupings and nations of the world, so does the appeal to the people of the UK for working together, as an expression of their work culture. Achievements of Oxford University in responding to Covid-19, in the form of the development of an effective vaccine, brings to the fore the laudable role of the university as an institution of excellence, which should spur other universities all over the world to respond to ‘problematic conditions’, near or far. 2021 should be the year to remove ‘uncertainties’ prevalent worldwide.
Jagvinder Singh Brar, Patiala
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