Free to choose religion

Christian institutions like schools and hospitals have been functioning in India for the past over two centuries. People of different creeds and castes have received benefits in the form of education and wellness, and not on the condition that they adopt Christianity. If people coming from any strata of society feel allured to convert — constitutionally they enjoy that right — it should be left to the individual to decide which religion he wants to follow. Any effort to stifle this right is sure to be thwarted, as in the case of refusing permission to Missionaries of Charity to receive foreign funding and then lifting the ban by issuing a new certificate. In this age of globalisation, international relationships and facilities rendered by technology, exchange of ideologies, even of religions, it is unavoidable to remain unaffected by one another.

Chaman Arora, Ferozepur

---

Veer Bal Diwas

It is time for Punjab to wake up for the development of the state. The PM did repeal the farm laws in favour of Punjab’s farmers. He was coming to Punjab to announce some big projects. He has done well to declare December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas in memory of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh. It was meant to be a good gesture. Punjab’s development has received one setback after another because most of the time, it has been an Opposition-ruled state.

KS SODHI, Amritsar

---

Pushing them abroad

Refer to NEET-PG counselling, the report says that the decision will benefit 1,500 OBC aspirants in the MBBS and 2,500 OBC aspirants in PG courses, besides others. In my opinion, it should be this — 2.000 meritorious aspirants in MBBS and 4,000 meritorious aspirants in PG courses will lose seats. The policy of senseless reservation is pushing hundreds of intelligent doctors to the West, causing a great loss to our country. After this extra dose of reservation, more and more doctors will opt for offshore destinations.

Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Fazilka

---

Propaganda of hate

Those caught in Bulli Bai and Sulli deal cybercrime are of a young age. It does not surprise us anymore if such an age-group is involved in this hate crime. The past decade has been a decade of rising radicalisation throughout the globe. These people would have grown up in an environment that marginalised minorities. Such an environment is being created daily by hate news, derogatory social media posts against communities and hate speeches made by politicians and religious leaders. The upcoming generation needs to be aware of the propaganda set by social warfare and think reasonably for the betterment of society.

Ishan Hastir, Gurdaspur

---

Picture not real

The outcome of the survey on selective age-group does not reflect the true picture about the tobacco menace (‘HP kids shun tobacco’). The trend of tobacco consumption in the state has changed to smoking it. Gullible youngsters are an easy prey. There is a need to refresh our endeavours to educate them about the health hazards of the consumption of tobacco and crackdown on the drug trade.

Sunil Kumar Mahajan, Ghumarwin

---

Tobacco addiction

With reference to ‘HP kids shun tobacco’; the survey is heartening. Tobacco consumption among adolescents has come down to 1 per cent in Himachal, but the state has seen new intoxicants, in which chitta (heroin) is prominent. If Himachal has to improve its rank, it will have to save the youth and adolescents from drugs. Society is being pushed towards an abyss. Teenagers are hardly into tobacco addiction, but still, the state deserves congratulations.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

---

Municipal circus

The way the Mayor and others were elected in the recently-concluded elections in Chandigarh was indeed ridiculous. The conduct of the elected members was unbecoming. The voters have shown maturity, but the elected members vying for the top chair behaved immaturely. One can only guess as to how Chandigarh will be administered. The working of the Municipal Corporation is suffering in all aspects, and sadly, the downslide will continue.

Amit Kumar, Mohali

---

Mediocre war movies

Most of our war movies are of poor quality, some showing unreal scenes. In a recent film showing IAF operations during the 1971 war, the hero, who is playing the role of the base commander, is seen wearing the wing of a navigator, whereas the then base commander was a pilot. An AN-12 is shown landing on a moving truck on the runway to make up for its dysfunctional under-carriage. The filmmakers should consult the IAF. They must do their homework before venturing into an unknown realm.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR

---

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: [email protected]