Real-time monitoring needed

Refer to ‘Wake-up call on the climate front’; rampant deforestation, road construction and unregulated development have wreaked havoc in hilly terrains, resulting in frequent flashfloods. The need of the hour is to have real-time monitoring infrastructure in the Himalayan region. Automatic weather stations must be built for real-time data on temperature, rainfall and atmospheric pressure in remote and high-altitude areas. Also, community involvement in disaster management is beneficial because their knowledge about the terrain and weather pattern is second to none.

Bal Govind, Noida

Chinese power on display

China celebrated the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War II with an 80-gun salute at Tiananmen Square and held its largest-ever military parade. President Xi Jinping declared China a “fearless and independent nation.” The parade showcased robotic soldiers, drones, smart tanks, new laser weapons and long-range missiles covering land, sea, air and space. For India, the message is clear — unlike our Republic Day parade that celebrates democracy, China’s parade was about raw power and intimidation. It was attended by the Russian President, Pakistan PM, North Korean supreme leader and other dignitaries from across the globe, signalling a widening China-led bloc.

RS Narula, Patiala

Freedom or dissent

Refer to ‘Denial of bail’; the court’s refusal to make a clear distinction between protection of freedom and expression of dissent as provided by our Constitution is disturbing. Even if any of the accused was involved in inciting the Delhi riots, the court has already accepted the state’s theory of some sort of a shadowy conspiracy as sufficient proof to keep them in jail under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. “If you are doing something against the nation, then you better be in jail till you are acquitted or convicted?” this statement of the Solicitor General flies in the face of the constitutional guarantee of a due legal process.

PL SINGH, by mail

Relief for Afghanistan

India airlifted 21 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to earthquake-hit Afghanistan a few days ago. The Centre assured Afghanistan that India will continue to monitor the situation and keep providing more assistance as and when required in the coming days. Back home, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab have been witnessing floods, causing tremendous loss of life, property and infrastructure. It’s not only tragic, but also a matter of shame that the Central government has not cared to send relief material to these flood-affected states.

Gurpreet S Malhotra, Chandigarh

Firms may pocket GST benefits

The GST Council has abolished two GST slabs, hoping that it will uplift the sagging consumer demand. But the government should make sure that the reduction in GST benefits customers and not companies. For example, many discount schemes are offered by car manufacturers. If these schemes are withdrawn in case any car falls in the lower GST slab, then the purpose is not served. It might happen in other product categories also. The government should keep a strict watch on this practice. If the benefits do not reach the consumers, it will result in concentration of wealth in a few hands in an already unequitable society. States which are already debt-ridden will get lower revenue under the new structure.

Rajesh Goyal, Chandigarh

Communicating in silence

Apropos of the Middle ‘When talking takes a break’; it reminds me of Ashley Dukes’ hilarious slapstick comedy The Dumb Wife of Cheapside. An alderman, John Groats, takes his congenitally tongue-tied wife to a surgeon who successfully loosens her tongue, but now the problem for Groats is to stop her non-stop garrulity. He takes her back to the doctor, who says the procedure is irreversible, the only option being an operation on Groats’ ears. No communication is possible without silence. The Japanese are so particular about it that they keep their mobile phones in silent mode while using public transport. Unfortunately, we Indians continue to suffer pathological loquacity of people around us, mostly politicians.

Mohan Singh, Amritsar