Speech not enough

‘PM’s speech offered no credible assurance’ is a scathing attack on BJP’s model of governance. Instead of improving the crumbling healthcare system, the ruling dispensation was busy in its single-minded pursuit of winning the Bengal elections. The prime-ministerial address was a cosmetic exercise to bolster the morale of the people; it did not allay their immediate fears. Modi assured them of averting another economic calamity and ramping up healthcare facilities, but without mentioning any specific measures to counter Covid-19. Shifting the onus of dealing with the public health crisis to the states, NGOs and social organisations and individuals is Nero-like abdication of responsibility. Only coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments and the public at large will help tide over the worst-ever humanitarian crisis.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

Follow own advice

PM Modi will address three election rallies on April 23 for the rest of the seats in Bengal. Thousands of people may attend his rallies. Though he has been advising people not to go into the crowds in view of the rising cases of Covid, he himself should desist from addressing election rallies; otherwise it amounts to the popular saying, ‘Auron ko nasihat, khud mian fazihat’.

Vidwan Singh Soni, Patiala

Workers more responsible

Reference to ‘To prevent exodus…’ and ‘NHRC study recommends…’; in both photos, the migrant labourers struggling to reach their parent state are wearing masks. On the contrary, in the photo of Malwa farmers heading for the Tikri border, the protesters are without masks. See the difference. Who is more responsible towards humanity in this hour of pandemic?

Ashok kumar, by mail

Govt has lost credibility

When the Covid cases are touching the figure of over 3 lakh daily, the PM wants the states to persuade migrant labourers to not leave their workplace. Despite an assurance from the CMs of Haryana and Delhi that they will be looked after, herds of fleeing labourers can be seen everywhere. Perhaps the credibility of our leaders is diminishing. Despite the warnings by the WHO regarding the second wave, our government found this time suitable to conduct the elections and hold road shows and rallies. The show still goes on.

Jaswant singh, Chandigarh

Ambitious drive

Come May 1, India’s vaccination drive will undergo a drastic change. It is advisable to have some guidelines for the pricing and allocation of vaccines. The supply will have to be maintained all through. Having sought freedom to run their own vaccination programmes their way, it is puzzling that the states are demanding that the Centre fix the price, and given their poor state of finance, provide the requisite funds. The heads-I-win-tails-you-lose stance of the states militates against common sense.

Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

The right choice

The Punjab Government must be applauded for appointing IISER physicist Prof Arvind as Punjabi University VC, which is an action unprecedented for its sagacity and farsight. One seldom expects such socially beneficial decisions from politicians and bureaucrats. From my personal knowledge of his professional status and sensibility, I can vouch that Prof Arvind will do everything in his power to realise the vision that he has succinctly sketched: ‘My vision is to restore the glory of the institution and build on those areas. I plan to bring in new disciplines.’ Scientists by the intrinsic compulsions of their discipline do not talk. They perform and demonstrate for everyone to see. As the youngest VC, he has everything to uplift the institution.

SS Bhatti, Chandigarh

Road supply lines

Our jawans are manning snow-capped high mountains to guard the Ladakh borders in extreme cold winds against an aggressive China (‘Delayed by snow, 2 lifelines to Ladakh reopen’). To keep them in position, road supply lines are crucial in all-weather conditions. Manali-Leh-Srinagar roads must be kept open to facilitate round-the-clock patrol, inspection and maintenance with reliable men and machines on a war footing. In foreign countries, many cities and capitals remain open in more low temperatures. Timely clearing of snow is easier than clearing blocked roads later, at high costs.

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

US police reforms

Going by the volume and intensity of demonstrations against the police atrocity against George Floyd, an African-American, it looks like the incident has evoked universal disdain. The guilty officer, Derek Chauvin, has been convicted of second- and third-degree murder and manslaughter. The Republicans in the Senate should support Biden’s ambitious police reform Bill that bans chokeholds, and creates national standards for policing towards greater accountability.

SS Paul, Nadia

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