Ominous sign

The news ‘Foes NC, PDP forge 6-party alliance’ is ominous. These pro-Pak elements would endanger the hard-earned fragile peace in Kashmir, which is limping back to normalcy. Winter is setting in, and Pakistan would try to push terrorists into the Valley. With pro-Pakistan elements making their intentions clear, the security forces will have a tough time. The government move to release them seems slightly premature. These politicians would certainly try to reignite anti-India sentiments for their own petty political gains.

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AK SHARMA, CHANDIGARH

Social media reality

Some days ago, there was a tell-tale video on Bihar elections, ‘Gaon mein vikas aaya?’ that went viral. The video exposes the harsh reality of the condition of the downtrodden people. ‘Development’ becomes an integral part of political campaigns in name only and is hyped in manifestos and rallies. The reality is that there is no significant economic and social development to be seen in cities, towns and villages. The objective of elections is to gain power, not social and economic development to improve the quality of life of people. Whereas mainstream media has become a pawn of political parties, it is only through social media that the lack of development is reflected through videos and memes which go viral.

Sukanya Roy, Chandigarh

Fine for littering

Apropos of ‘In Lahaul, Rs 1,000 fine for littering’, the decision of the Sissu panchayat deserves kudos. Swachhta Abhiyan has certainly been helpful in spurring the cleanliness drive, but in the absence of a stringent law, it is difficult to maintain it. The Himachal Government should include this decision through legislation in the Panchayati Raj Act, to be followed throughout the state. Anti-social elements deliberately flout rules.

IQBAL SINGH, Hamirpur

Farm fires

Refer to ‘Farm fires under scrutiny’; states should take up the issue of stubble burning very seriously, as still the menace is not being tackled. Several incidents are reported where the crop lying ready has been damaged on account of fire in the fields due to negligence of farmers who burn stubble. Eminent academicians and agricultural research scientists should frame a process to make the performance of states on environment one of the parameters to put an end to stubble burning, and impose heavy penalty on violators and disconnect electric supply to tube wells of defaulting farmers. Efforts must also be initiated to sensitise farmers on the issue.

Harpreet Sandhu, Ludhiana

Bangladesh leading

Apropos of ‘No slide for Sonar Bangla’, IMF’s forecasting that Bangladesh will edge past India economically in per capita GDP should put a stop to our political negative rhetoric referring to our eastern good neighbour. In a world undermined by the pandemic, Bangladesh’s economic progress has been consistent, signifying its gains are durable, and its explore-oriented economy is expanding. India’s trajectory is a marked contrast, its growth rate has been uneven, and this year the IMF has projected a contraction. Following the ill-conceived demonetisation, India’s growth rate sputtered, while Bangladesh’s expansion only got better. Its fertility rate has fallen faster than India. As a Muslim majority country, this belies the right-wing myth that Muslims (in general) reproduce faster than Hindus (in general). Bangladesh’s growth springboard has been a tighter integration into a global value chain for textiles. An export-oriented approach remains the best bet to revive India’s economic performance. The government must expand economic cooperation and connectivity with Bangladesh. China is courting Bangladesh, and if we diss Dhaka for petty domestic politics, we may lose the economic as well as strategic game.

SK SINGH, by mail

Bad fuels

Banned fuels have affected the health of citizens, resulting in respiratory ailments, heart problems and also heightened risk of cancer (‘Don’t use banned fuels industrialists’). Prohibition will help restore good health and bring down air pollution. This will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change

Parul Gupta, by mail

Making history in IPL

History was created in the ongoing edition of the IPL being played in the UAE when Kings XI Punjab beat defending champions Mumbai Indians in the second super over. Till now, winners were decided in the first super over, but this is a tale of a win in the second one when the Punjab outfit was tasked to score a dozen to earn two points. ‘Saada Punjab’ achieved this with distinction. The competition is stiff — most of the matches are decided in the last over.

Gurdeep S Dhamrait, Dharampur

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