Overcoming research barriers

With reference to the article ‘Unease of doing research in India’; it highlights the severe financial and bureaucratic challenges facing the country’s leading research institutions. Rising costs and inadequate funding are increasingly impeding scientific progress. Policy changes, including GST hikes, bureaucratic delays and tax complications, are hindering research, potentially stalling an already underfunded research environment. It not only slows down scientific advancement but also drives talented researchers to seek opportunities abroad, worsening the brain drain. With countries like China significantly surpassing us in R&D investment, these challenges jeopardise our ambition to become a global innovation hub.

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K Kumar, Panchkula

Punishment after 32 years

Apropos of the editorial ’32 years later’; the Ajmer rape case happened in 1992 and the court decision was delivered in 2024. The question is what is the meaning of the punishment after 32 years have elapsed since the crime was committed. When more than half of the lives of the offenders have passed, many girls have died by suicide. Is the legal system of India so weak that it took three decades to give justice to the victims who underwent pain and mental trauma all these years. Will it take a similar amount of time for the family of the Kolkata rape-murder victim to get justice?

Ramandeep, Jalandhar

Make legal process time-bound

Refer to the editorial ‘32 years later’; it is the need of the hour to make the legal process and procedure time-bound. Sometimes, the trial courts dispose of such cases expeditiously, but the appellate courts remain sitting on the appeals for years together. In some cases, even after the top court confirms the death sentence, it takes years and years for the President to dispose of mercy petitions. Needless to say, the prompt execution of a death sentence in gruesome cases of rape and murder can be a game-changer to curb the burgeoning menace.

MD Sharma, Shimla

Safety of industrial workers

With reference to the news report ‘13 killed, 33 injured in reactor blast at Andhra pharma unit’; it has once again brought into focus the safety of industrial workers. It appears the officials of the Factories Department and AP Pollution Control Board were not conducting regular inspections to ensure the implementation of safety parameters. The management of the factories must not compromise the safety of workers and must follow all guidelines and procedures to run high-risk equipment. The concerned government departments must ensure that factories adopt all the norms in earnest.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Prevent loopholes in system

Apropos of the news report ‘Doctors move Supreme Court, want advisory role in NTF’; before formulating protocols for all hospitals by the National Task Force, no stone should be left unturned to prevent any loophole in the system that the violators can use to their advantage. The Federation of All India Medical Association approaching the SC for including recommendations of young doctors in formulating guidelines for their protection is the correct plea as it would depict real-time problems with suggested solutions coming directly from the horse’s mouth. Safe working conditions and wellbeing of medical professionals need an overhaul with the use of modern technology like CCTV cameras, gated entrances to girls’ hostels, proper lighting in lonely places, clean and separate washrooms, etc.

Col RS Narula (Retd), Patiala

Tackling food adulteration

Refer to the editorial ‘Milk alarm’; weak enforcement and a low conviction rate are emboldening offenders to perpetrate food adulteration. Moreover, while many Indian consumers are increasingly aware of food safety issues, some still view adulteration as inevitable. There must be a concerted effort to bolster regulatory frameworks, increase inspections and increase public awareness. Educational campaigns and stricter penalties for violators are essential to ensure food safety and safeguard public health in India.

Amarjeet Mann, Una

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