Talk to Valley leaders

‘Listen to Farooq Abdullah’ rightly places the onus on arriving at a solution for the settlement of the J&K problem on those who struggle to see the reality through the ‘Hindutva goggles’. It is time that these learned men grab the opportunity to resolve the issues, whilst the leadership in the Valley is amenable to talks and is prepared to endorse the accession of the state to India and subsequent developments. Sheikh Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah have been the main architects of the arrangement that exists. No one denies that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the only ruler who could oust the 300-year Afghan reign over the Valley and incorporate the area with his empire in Punjab. The ‘goggles’ need to be cast aside to get a correct perspective and move forward to restore the status of the state. This would calm the agitated Kashmiris. The entire region is in a state of turmoil and we need to complete the settlement within our areas of geopolitical interest at the earliest.

Mohanpal Singh, by mail

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More powers to BSF

The decision of the Centre to extend BSF powers up to 50 km from 15 km at present from the international boundary (zero line) has been necessitated by latest technical advances being used by trans-border criminals. The most prominent is drone operations in border areas by such elements. The earlier limit of 15 km was guided by the fact that crimes were committed mostly on foot or by using vehicles in areas adjacent to the border belt only. Instances of a drone dropping weapons or narcotics or fake currency quite deep into the hinterland are recent happenings. This is an effective and timely response to meet these challenges to safeguard national security. But this extension in limit is no alternative to development of anti-drone technology which should get higher priority. Its effective use by our border men with proper training is another issue which needs immediate planning and implementation. The BSF can be in a better position to meet such challenges with the effective cooperation of residents of the border areas and other agencies, including the state police.

Jagir S Sran, DIG (retd), BSF, Faridkot

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Unkept promises

Refer to promises made to the voters about sops. Didn’t we hear about promises made in the previous elections: providing jobs, eliminating the drug menace and much more? There should be a process of recall for those who do not keep their promises. Voters have the right to expect governance and fulfilment of promises, and not mere slogans.

GS Kingra, by mail

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Bereft of logic

Based chiefly on another popular columnist’s sayings, ‘More than meets the eye’ does not have much meat in it. The writer’s attack on the media for highlighting a popular actor’s son in a drug-related case than on the huge quantum of drug seizure at a privately owned port is misplaced. The media, now a commercial venture, has to sell only what is saleable. And his illogical effort to exonerate drug consumers is laughable. Because without these so-called small-time consumers, the large-scale unlawful drug trade cannot survive even for a day.

Balvinder, Chandigarh

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Fall in medical ethics

‘Regulate private hospitals’ is timely. One of the first questions a patient’s relatives are asked, at the time of admission, is whether the payment will be in cash, or by the insurance company, and in case of the latter, the amount of coverage available. Thereafter, none can question the hospital on the line of treatment followed, or whether a test or scan is necessary. During the peak of the pandemic, life-saving injections Remdesivir and Tocilizumab were reportedly sold on the black market, with the connivance of some hospitals, doctors and pharmacists. When an institution is answerable to none, arbitrariness is inevitable. While private hospitals don’t work for charity, to extract their pound of flesh from patients speaks poorly of medical ethics. Another fallout of this is the steep annual hike in insurance premium. Unless the government steps in to effectively stem the rot, there is no hope for patients, especially the senior citizens of India.

V Jayaraman, Chennai

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Long wait for approval

Covaxin for kids should be a great relief for parents who are scared of sending their children to school due to the forebodings of a possible third wave of Covid. But the long wait for its approval from the WHO is still a stumbling block for international travel. When public figures like our PM and many eminent doctors of a prestigious institute like the AIIMS went for the Covaxin jab, no one thought that it would take so long to be recognised. Approval delayed, further delayed are the repeated headlines that have been keeping the public on tenterhooks.

Sadhna Saini, by mail

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