Risking patient’s life

The negligent attitude of the hospital staff clearly reveals their apathy towards patients (‘HCV-infected blood issued to 85-year-old by Phagwara bank’, Feb 6). Such carelessness could lead to loss of life. Hospitals should take utmost care while treating patients. Such incidents are nowadays becoming common in India. The Ministry of Health should take strict action against such hospitals and penalise them. Regular inspections should be carried out in hospitals across the country.

Surbhi Attreya, Meerut

Act like public servants

Reference to ‘No check on misuse of sirens, hooters’ (Feb 6), it is surprising that people on responsible posts are violating prohibitory orders of the apex court. Many of them start thinking that they are above the law of the land. They forget that they are public servants. Noise pollution is one of the main concerns of the country. The officer who cared a fig for the SC’s orders must have studied about pollution while appearing for the qualifying examination for her present post, but forgot everything after getting it. Such people must remember that they are a part and parcel of the executive branch of the three wings of the government — legislature, executive and judiciary. The sole role of the executive is to implement the rules framed by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary.

Faqir Singh, Dasuya

Threat to State!

A nine-year-old girl’s mother is in jail, and that too on the charge of sedition. And for what, a play that depicted CAA and NRC! We are living in a democratic country where we have the freedom of speech and expression. The current scenario of increasing sedition cases, year by year, portrayed in the NCRB data shows gross misuse of the Section. In the failed attempt to silence dissent in the country, the BJP is testing the waters in an aggressive way. Democracy is in peril and people, rights organisations, civil society and activists should raise their concerns at the highest level.

Vishiwjeet Singh, Chandigarh

Trade deal with US

In reference to ‘Trade deal likely during Trump’s visit’ (Feb 6); important issues like J&K status and CAA-NRC will also be topics of discussion. Though India has rejected several times Trump’s proposal of being a mediator on Kashmir, it will be interesting to see the government’s stand when face-to-face with Trump. The visit will also be an important opportunity to expand trade with the US.

Varun Malik, Chandigarh

Good move on toilets

Refer to ‘Officers’ toilets to be sealed if public ones found unclean’ (Feb 6); the DC’s move to lock officers’ toilets is a great way to teach the officers concerned a lesson and give them a taste of their own medicine. It is a revelation what kind of unusual ways one has to resort to, to get people to work properly in India, and how inefficient government officials are in doing their job and ensuring that basic civic amenities are maintained at an acceptable standard.

Prateek Ghavri, Zirakpur

Board exams, then & now

Apropos the middle ‘A different era, a different board exam’ (Feb 5), I appeared in the HSC Board examination for matriculation at Hyderabad in 1960. The centre was different than my school. Unlike now, two papers were held every day, including elementary maths and optional advanced maths, each having two papers consecutively. For the first time, objective-type questions with negative marking were introduced. Schools gave importance to education as their reputation was at stake. Two months before the exams, extra classes for English grammar were held after school hours. The school achieved 96% result. Those days first division was rare. High second division was considered equivalent to first division.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Chinese footprint

Apropos the article ‘China’s eye on Myanmar’ (Feb 6), with greater foothold in Myanmar, China poses a grave challenge to the strategic security of India. It already has a foothold at Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Gwadar in Pakistan and serious presence in the Maldives. The Asian giant is now the Myanmar’s largest investor. Its investment in Myanmar’s infrastructure will boost the BRI which will provide China with overland access to, and strategic presence in, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. India is the only neighbouring country that has resisted Xi’s expansionist agenda. In a word, China is dangerously coming nearer to India.

SS Paul, Nadia

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