Govt laxity to blame

Apropos ‘Only 4 inspectors for examining 3 lakh vehicles a year’ (Feb 17), such laxity of government has resulted in the unfortunate incident in which four precious lives were lost. We are aware that officials are forced to take action only after such tragic incidents. This must stop. Human life can’t be left at the mercy of the government machinery, which we have elected for the welfare of society. The government should appoint officials wherever necessary, which will be good for two reasons. First, youth will get employment, and second, the occurrence of such incidents can be checked.

HARPREET SINGH, ZIRAKPUR

Waking up too late

Apropos the editorial ‘Unsafe school vehicles’ (Feb 18), though delayed, the statewide crackdown by law enforcing agencies on such vehicles is welcome. It is unfortunate that we wake up only after a disaster. As in the past, these vehicles should be monitored on a regular basis and a fitness certificate should be issued to ply them. Strict action should be initiated not only against the school management and the driver, but also erring officials. The government should provide enough staff to check rampant traffic violations. It will restore the confidence of parents who risk sending their wards in such school vehicles.

Tajpreet S Kang, Hoshiarpur

Delayed action

Reference to the news ‘Admn tightens noose around school buses flouting norms’ (Feb 18); this noose comes into action only after a tragedy. The same officials, of the same administration, are there, but they have no time for even routine checks. They are issued strict instructions regarding checks, and only then they are on their toes to ensure that there is no violation of rules. If the administration always keeps its eyes open, such tragic accidents would not occur. The crackdown shows that a number of vehicles have been plying without registration under the nose of the administration.

Faqir Singh, Dasuya

Fear of humanities

As I meandered through the piece, ‘Our word is our weapon against inhuman acts’ (Feb 18), I marvelled at how the writer talks about the importance of creative writing, especially poetry, in a way that appeals to readers. It got me thinking, perhaps this is why governments and marketplaces across the world continue to neglect, undermine, discourage and undervalue humanities. They are aware that in humanities, especially in art and creative writing, lie the seeds of critical thinking and the potential to inspire the masses to awareness, even revolt. It is very important for the public to realise the value of protecting our creativity, so that we no longer remain in the grip of authoritarian power games that drive us to intellectual and spiritual penury of a robotic, regimented existence.

Kamna Singh, by mail

Gender bias in forces

The SC has, at last, driven the final nail in the coffin of gender bias in the defence forces (‘SC okays command role for women’, Feb 18). The physiological difference has not cut much ice with the court. The future war scenario is also undergoing a change. There may not be hand-to-hand fight theatres. New technology is ushering in the use of robots, AI etc., which has given a new definition to the art of warfare. India has a history of women commanders who fought wars against formidable adversaries and the name of Rani Lakshmibai tops the list.

Kiran Sharma, Sundernagar

SAD damage control

Apropos the editorial ‘SAD situation’ (Feb 15), seeing his party in a sorry state, family patriarch Parkash Singh Badal has suddenly woken up to oppose the CAA. He is raising the bogey of minorities only to burnish the SAD’s panthic image among the Sikh masses. Now, many Akali stalwarts have declared that they have left the SAD to free the SGPC from the clutches of the Badals, who are misusing its funds for political purposes. The SGPC was established to look after gurdwaras that were earlier managed by mahants who were not adhering to Sikh tenants. The challenge from the newly formed Taksali Akali Dal has made the Badals insecure. They are now in search of a panthic agenda to regain lost ground in Punjab. And now their anti-CAA stand may have come handy in becoming politically relevant.

LAJWANT SINGH, by mail

Poverty no handicap

Ruby Malik’s saga of success will inspire thousands of women to combat poverty to move forward in life (‘Panipat slum girl to be J’khand Civil Judge’, Feb 14). Her phenomenal rise underscores the strength of our Constitution and democratic institutions. I appreciate The Tribune for publishing the report of her resolute struggle to prove her sense of worth and earning by sheer hard work a dignified space for herself.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

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