Late delivery risks obsolescence
Refer to ‘Military funding merits long-term planning’; the enhanced defence outlay is welcome. However, the real issue is not quantum, but the conversion of funds into combat strength. Delays in Rafale induction and the stalled delivery of 180 Tejas Mk1A jets show that spending does not guarantee readiness, as late equipment delivery risks obsolescence. Moreover, without assured long-term funding, procurement reform and stronger R&D, allocations will merely inflate budgets. So, India must align planning with financing, accelerate acquisition and deepen indigenous innovation to secure readiness, resilience and real military power.
Chanchal S Mann, Una
Are schoolkids the right audience?
Refer to ‘Judicial integrity’; the focus of the Supreme Court is not on judicial corruption, but on whether the most impressionable minds are the right audience for such sensitive topics. While stark realities of life are unavoidable, the formative minds cannot be burdened and diverted towards darker tracks behind lighthouses. The apex court has attempted to weed out unwanted foliage in the spring of trust. The judiciary is viewed as the panacea for all ills and injustice inflicted upon innocent people. Therefore, it commands the highest faith and grandeur, which should be maintained.
Abhyam Sharma, pathankot
NCERT’s irresponsible act
Apropos of ‘Judicial integrity’; education should nurture informed, responsible citizens while maintaining respect for institutions. As affirmed by the Supreme Court in the NCERT issue, corruption must be discussed in a balanced, comprehensive manner that fosters critical thinking, especially with sensitive institutions such as the judiciary. Exposing young minds to the menace of corruption should cover all sectors including politics, administration, judiciary, police, media, healthcare, governance and private education.
K Kumar, Panchkula
Who will pay for mental agony?
A lower court’s discharge of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi liquor policy case registered by the CBI reminds us how fragile justice can be when power is misused. If innocent people spend months or years fighting cases that do not stand in court, who will return their lost time, damaged reputation, mental agony and the suffering faced by their families? Accountability must not end with acquittal. Justice is not only about setting someone free; it is also about ensuring that misuse of power never becomes a tool against political opponents or ordinary citizens.
Ashok Goyal, Chandigarh
Govt schemes just before polls
Political parties come out with many populist measures as the elections draw near. The ruling party in Punjab announced Meri Rasoi Yojana recently. What was the government doing during the past four years? The promise of Rs 1,000 for every woman is yet to be honoured. Health cards for Rs 10 lakh free treatment are being issued that are not being honoured in hospitals. Big hoardings displaying ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ are dotting every road and locality, but the situation at the ground level remains the same. Parties come to power by befooling people with false promises and then conveniently forget them.
Karnail Singh, Kharar
Harvest rainwater in Punjab
In recent years, groundwater has been drawn out at a higher rate than it is recharged. In Punjab, there is an average fall of about one metre each year in severely affected areas. To raise the water table, rainwater harvesting should be adopted. It has been made mandatory in many cities. This is the best solution for low-lying areas, if the harvested water is not polluted and fit for recharging. Rain harvesting projects should be installed at public places and government buildings like MC offices, school buildings, bus stands, etc to motivate the public. It will avoid the flow of unabsorbed rainwater into rivers during the rainy season, which causes floods downstream.
Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar
