Political hue to social event

Political hue to social event

Apropos of ‘Ram Bharose at the Kumbh (The Great Game)’; the UP administration was deftly handling the gigantic challenge of managing crores of people till the stampede happened. However, the Opposition got a chance to blame the state government. Organising this mega festival in a smooth manner is easier said than done. In earlier times, the ruling party would value the suggestions of the Opposition and vice-versa in the interest of the public. This culture has no place in politics now and the blame game begins at the drop of a hat. Hiccups can crop up in an event held on a large scale, such as the Maha Kumbh; this does not mean that the entire exercise is a failure.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar

Wake-up call for stakeholders

Refer to ‘Ram bharose at the Kumbh’; the tragic incident at the Maha Kumbh highlights the urgent need for better planning and crowd management at mass gatherings, especially in the context of religious festivals and congregations. This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call. Both the ruling party and the Opposition must focus on ensuring public safety, with the latter prioritising constructive criticism. Social gatherings should not become a platform for photo-ops. The crowds should also take the responsibility of behaving in an appropriate manner at such huge events. This lesson must prompt serious reforms to prevent future disasters.

Vijay Kumar Katial, Panchkula

Short-term benefit of Budget

Refer to the report ‘Middle class put on top’; the Union Budget has announced timely steps. The decision to provide tax exemptions for those earning up to Rs 12 lakh per annum is undoubtedly aimed at addressing the middle class, a critical voter base. However, one must ask whether this short-term relief is sustainable in the long run, especially as the government continues to prioritise capital expenditure. The government’s focus should remain on long-term, sustainable growth. Only then can India ensure that both fiscal responsibility and economic growth are achieved in a balanced way.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Need better infrastructure

The provision in the Budget to create an additional 10,000 MBBS seats is ill-conceived. Most of the government-run institutions are already short of funds and private institutions are bereft of adequate infrastructure. Most of the newly created colleges lack basic infrastructure and are short of staff. Instead of increasing the number of seats, the government should aspire to improve existing infrastructure. There should be stricter norms for opening new medical colleges. Half-baked measures are in fact detrimental to healthcare. Instead of playing to the gallery, the government should make sincere efforts to cure the ills.

Sachin Kaushal, Patiala

Boost to artificial intelligence

The Union Budget’s allocation of Rs 500 crore for the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for artificial intelligence will give a boost to the AI industry. India needs a dedicated academic ecosystem with an AI-focussed curriculum in the education system to develop models to compete with giants like the US and China. The proposed CoE will further help in conducting interdisciplinary research, developing cutting-edge applications and solving problems in the areas of agriculture, health and sustainable cities. Certainly it will help realise the vision of ‘Make Al in India and Make Al work for India’.

Harvinder Singh Chugh, Jalandhar

New avenue for rural development

The creation of the Makhana board will undoubtedly revitalise Bihar’s dormant makhana industry, providing a much-needed boost to local farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders involved in its cultivation and processing. This move is not just an economic initiative but also aligns with the broader vision of promoting healthy dietary habits. The importance of this step lies in its multifaceted impact. Economically, it will open new avenues for rural employment and promote agro-based industries in Bihar. It will also encourage scientific research, improve quality and enhance global competitiveness.

Akash Kumar, by mail