Meet on terrorism

It is sad to read that the ‘Global Meet on Terrorism’ called by the External Affairs Ministry had to be cancelled as only four out of 28 MPs turned up. Most of these MPs are the ones who shout the maximum whenever any untoward incident happens. It is demoralising for the armed forces that face terrorist threats, to see that their elected representatives have no time to discuss such important issues of national interest. These MPs are enjoying all the perks and privileges at the cost of the taxpayers. Why should they not be taken to task for showing scant respect to such burning issues?

Lt Col JS Dullat (retd), Patiala

Peddling hate

CJI Ramana has done the right thing to flag that everything in India is shown with a communal overtone by a section of media, particularly social media platforms. The CJI has also rightly noted these entities have no accountability and could freely besmirch individuals and institutions they disliked and were circulating content without verification. The Tablighi Jamaat was demonised and an attempt was made to manipulate the fears already stoked by the pandemic to deepen communal polarisation. The prime suspects were TV channels that played a role to please those in power by amplifying hate with fake news. There are no easy solutions to the problem. The State is part of the problem. Freedom of the Press is an essential part of the people’s right to know. The CJI’s anguish could serve a larger purpose, by starting a wider conversation.

EL SINGH, by mail

Channel of hatred

Refer to ‘Weeding out fake news’; many of the contents of social media like Facebook and YouTube are highly objectionable with communal overtones. If the trend remains unchecked, it can lead to hatred amongst communities which, in the long run, is bound to prove detrimental to society and the nation. What more, some organised groups through social media are engaged full time to spread hate among different communities. Let us keep in mind: pollution of social media is far more dangerous than environmental pollution. The earlier it is checked the better it will be.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Sensex tsunami

Refer to ‘Sensex breaches 58,000-mark for the first time’; Sensex is shooting higher and higher each day, defying the laws of gravitation. It is flowing above the danger mark. One hopes it doesn’t replicate the Lehmann Brothers fiasco. All sectors of the economy are under-performing, courtesy the two waves of Covid. Stock market performs if industry performs. Financial wizards can better interpret the contradictions.

HMS NAGRA, FARIDABAD

Lavish lifestyle

Politicians are the same, whether the Congress or the BJP when it comes to buying the latest luxury cars for CM, ministers and bureaucrats. At a time when the revenues of the government have fallen due to Covid, the Haryana Government is buying the latest Mercedes Benz car for the CM, Land Rover for its deputy and Honda CRV for other ministers. This kind of splurge was not expected from BJP ministers as they carry an image of simplicity. PM Modi should frame guidelines for its state governments not to waste money on such useless pursuits.

RAMESH GUPTA, NARWANA

What a teacher!

On Teacher’s Day, I am reminded of my dedicated teacher, the late Girdhari Lal who was a real guru. He taught us English in class VII at the nondescript PBN Middle School in Amritsar during the 1950s. Every day, during 10 minutes of roll call, he would write five items on the blackboard, be it sentences for translation, change from noun to pronoun, verb to adverb or difference tenses and other grammar exercises. All students would answer these on a paper during roll call. He would mark these during his free period and give the result to everyone during class. He would cane us on the hand for wrong answers. This daily exercise laid the basis for correct grammatical English. About his honesty one incident comes to mind. He stopped taking tuition for my cousin when he found that he was not interested in studies. He refused to take Rs 25 as fee. It is rare to find dedication and honesty of purpose among teachers now.

Harbachan Singh Sandhu, by mail

Bow in gratitude

Apropos of ‘Shaping lives the way only a guru can’, the role of teachers in inscribing the right kind of values on impressionable minds, along with imparting the best education, help students grow perfectly. Teachers are responsible for equipping and nurturing them with knowledge, skills, talents and potentialities to become better citizens, capable of countenancing life’s challenges effectively and courageously. They deserve our respect for their sterling contributions. What we are today is only because of the teachings and skills imparted by our teachers.

Ravi Sharma, Dhariwal

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