Tailored support for farmers
Refer to ‘Sowing discontent: Budget cuts threaten farm sustainability’; the Budget has given priority to financial assistance rather than direct subsidies. It will ensure that farmers receive tailored support based on crop-specific and regional needs rather than general subsidies. Targeted support for paddy farmers through digital advisory services and soil health monitoring has resulted in improved crop yields and market prices in Telangana. By enabling small and marginal farmers to access larger loan amounts, the increased KCC loan limit has reduced their dependence on moneylenders who charge exorbitant interest rates. By encouraging farmers to use water-efficient and climate-specific farming techniques, the Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has reduced risks associated with erratic monsoons and climate change.
Priyanka Saurabh, Hisar
Trump’s reckless proposal
Apropos of ‘Trump stirs the Gaza pot’; the US President’s proposal to annex Gaza and forcibly relocate 2.3 million Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan violates international law and risks regional stability. Egypt, already mediating the Gaza crisis, faces severe economic and political risks, while Jordan, overwhelmed by refugees, cannot absorb more. Arab nations have rightly rejected his outrageous plan. Trump’s hypocrisy is glaring as he shuts US borders to migrants and expects others to bear the burden. His welfare plan for Gaza is a sham, driven purely by business interests. The world must unequivocally condemn this reckless move.
Amarjeet Mann, Una
Sportspersons at receiving end
Apropos of ‘Off the field’; interference by politicians and bureaucrats has a detrimental effect on the performance of sportspersons who often remain at the receiving end. The full potential of sportspersons can be realised only if sports bodies and sportspersons are provided a conducive environment. Uncalled-for restrictions imposed by politicians often dishearten athletes. The erosion of trust in sports governance can also make our players lose faith in the establishment. Hence, sports governance must be transparent and accountable and in the hands of sports veterans.
Vimal Sethi, Kapurthala
Athlete-centric approach
With reference to ‘Off the field’; the politicisation of sports is one of the core reasons why we won very few medals at the Paris Olympics despite sending a large contingent. Issues such as misgovernance in sports federations and political dominance in boards and selection panels often plague sports administration in India. If former players are at the helm in sports bodies, their domain expertise and positive collaborative approach will definitely make a difference. It will promote an athlete-centric approach. Politicians often disturb the sports ecosystem as they are unaware of the ground realities and are completely detached from the players’ lives. They rely solely on secondary feedback and have no qualms about playing with the future of sportspersons.
Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh
Public trust eroded
Refer to ‘Justice at last’; a CBI court sentenced two former Punjab Police officers to life imprisonment for their role in a fake encounter that took place 33 years ago. The case highlights the dark period of the early 1990s when fake encounters were rampant in Punjab under the guise of counter-insurgency operations. While this verdict brings some justice, many families still await closure in similar cases. Fake encounters erode public trust and violate fundamental rights. It is imperative that strict legal reforms and independent investigations ensure that such atrocities never recur.
Akash Kumar, Jagraon
Justice too late
Apropos of ‘Justice at last’; it is justice too late for the hapless parents of the youths killed in a fake encounter case in 1992. Only parents can feel the pain of a lost child. During terrorism in Punjab, many people were brutally killed by terrorists. However, in the name of curbing terrorism, the Punjab Police committed many atrocities. Promotions were given even to erring police officers in appreciation of their ‘performance’.
Paramjit Singh Parwana, Patiala
