Fear of the dead

Refer to ‘Virus victims’ kin shun last rites’ (April 8); it is pathetic to read that many families are refusing to cremate or bury Covid-19 victims out of fear of contracting infection. However, ICMR guidelines clearly state that cremation poses no risk to the family if proper protocol is followed. Only the infected lungs of a deceased, at the time of autopsy, may cause infection. So, disrespect towards those infected, be they alive or dead, should not be allowed in society.

Advertisement

Devender Kumar, Sirsa

Shocking demeanour

It is shocking that even sons and daughters are refusing to perform the last rites of their parents who were Covid victims. But Guru Tegh Bahadur had predicted it centuries ago, when he said: Sang sakha sab taj gaye, koi ne nibhiyo saath/ Kahe Nanak is bipat mein, tek ek Raghunath (All companions and friends have abandoned you. In the difficult times, only God is your refuge). God came in the garb of government officials to light their pyre.

Lt Col Harbinder Singh (Retd), Patiala

Imprudent move

Apropos ‘As Trump hints at retaliation, govt allows chloroquine’ (April 8), it is shocking that the government decided to lift the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine following a veiled threat by President Trump. Though the efficacy of the drug is not proven, it is the only preventive medication presently available. With the numbers surging in India, and the API ingredients for manufacturing the drug in shortage, this move is imprudent. It may weaken India’s hand in fighting the disease.

Vidhya B Ragunath, Thanjavur

Multiple pensions

Reference to ‘SAD: Cut salary of ministers, MLAs by 30% (April 8); taking a cue from the PM, the SAD president has asked the Punjab CM to follow suit for contributing to the Covid relief fund. A noble gesture no doubt. Now, it is for the CM to act favourably and get it implemented with general consensus. It would also be worthwhile for the SAD chief to take the lead and shun multiple pensions, as there seems to be no legitimate justification to draw pension for each Assembly term.

SS Arora, Mohali

Revise Budget spending

The Centre must sit with CMs of all states and come up with a revised expenditure plan for 2020-21. Projects such as Lutyens’ Vista, bullet train and defence modernisation can wait. Funds should be diverted for the elevation of health standards to cope with Covid. Neglecting healthcare infrastructure and exhausting public money on extravagant publicity campaigns has resulted in the ongoing mismanagement.

SHRAVIL, AMRITSAR

Decision on school fee

All schools are closed and most private schools have started uploading homework on school apps and other such modes. Some are conducting online/virtual classes. Is the government considering a fee waiver for the lockdown period? In addition to the tuition fee, there are other components like transport and sports facility charges. If the school fee is not waived, is there any deliberation to reduce or waive other such charges for the time being? Further, the state government has notified that the cap for incrementing the tuition fee is 8% per annum, but these institutes still charge more, which may not be in the form of only tuition fee. There is considerable hike in transport fee or other ancillary fee that add up to more than 8%.

Amanvir Singh Tiwana, Patiala

Explore world within

Unlock yourselves in this lockdown. Disconnect yourself from the external environment for some time and explore what is inside you. We all should take this situation positively; maybe, we have more capabilities inside us of which we were unaware of. In our routine life, we might have lost ourselves in the rat race and forgotten to spend time with ourselves. Presently, we have ample time. Let’s identify what gives us more power and joy — it may enhance the rest of our life.

Raghav Singla, Phagwara

Looking in wrong place

This is regarding a strange thing that happened in my city. Some people are circulating ‘information’ that putting a handful of rice and a small amount of turmeric in a ‘kundi’, made the ‘sotta’ automatically stand in it. It is being claimed that this is a symbol of the ‘presence’ and blessings of Lord Shiva. I just want to say that God is everywhere, but we still try to see Him in kundi-sotta. Our ancient religious scriptures say that He lives in everyone’s heart. Instead of looking in our own heart, we are looking for Him in empty vessels. How easier it is to trick the masses in the name of religion.

Anshumali Shukla, Patiala

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com