Timeless example of patriotism

Refer to ‘The Army’s ethic’; the Indian Army’s ethos represents a powerful blend of discipline, integrity, courage and responsibility. These values guide every soldier in moments of peace and conflict, shaping decisions with honour and unwavering dedication to duty. Respect for humanity, accountability and selfless service remain at the heart of military conduct. By upholding these principles, the Army not only protects the nation but also inspires society with its moral strength, professionalism and commitment to justice. Its ethical framework stands as a timeless example of patriotism and dedication.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

Subsidies not doing any good

Apropos of ‘Punjab’s struggle for economic revival’; subsidies have constrained the state government’s fiscal space to undertake investments in storage, transportation and processing infrastructure which could benefit small and marginal farmers. Since the average farm size in India is less than one hectare, the benefit of subsidies disproportionately flows to less than 10% farmers who own medium and large holdings. As a corrective measure, all subsidies could be combined together into a single cash transfer payable per hectare of area cultivated, decreasing with increase in size of holdings. Additional incentives or ‘top-up’ payments can be made separately to encourage cultivation of cash crops and millets.

Chander Shekhar Dogra, Jalandhar

Burdensome verification process

Refer to ‘Electoral roll row: Why ECI is facing trust crisis’; the large-scale voter deletions in Bihar, without sufficient clarity or adherence to due process, undermines public confidence. Furthermore, the new methodology, relying heavily on electors submitting new forms and extensive documentation, places the onus of proof of citizenship on the voter. The ECI must introspect: why abandon reliable software in favour of a method that led to exclusions? The parliamentary discussion must result in an assurance that a citizen’s right to vote will not be dependent on arbitrary and burdensome verification demands.

Ramphal Kataria, Kurukshetra

Welcome back into mainstream

Refer to ‘Jails as classrooms’; the decision to provide occupational training inside jails and provide inmates with certified vocational skills is not only progressive but truly path-breaking. Prisons have traditionally been viewed merely as centres of punishment. This initiative shifts the focus towards correction and rehabilitation, giving inmates a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity. However, the success of this visionary step depends on the society. Employers must be encouraged to hire reformed inmates and communities must welcome them with open arms without attaching any stigma. Rehabilitation must not end at the prison gate; it must continue in the world outside.

Harish Monga, by mail

Result of private sector duopoly

Apropos of ‘IndiGo Mess’; the aviation crisis is another reminder of the limits of private control. Had there been a strong public sector counterpart with comparable scale, passengers would not have been so helpless. When private monopolies put profit first, citizens bear the cost. The public sector exists for welfare, while the private sector exists for profit. Both can coexist, but one cannot replace the other. The public sector does have its own set of shortcomings but outright privatisation is not the answer. A strong public sector prevents monopoly, stabilises prices and ensures universal access. The goal should be healthy competition, not surrendering national lifelines to profit-driven monopolies.

VK Gupta, Chandigarh

Playing with people’s sentiments

Refer to ‘IndiGo mess’; it was painful to see a large number of passengers, including the elderly and children, stranded for no fault of theirs. On one side were cancellations of IndiGo flights and on the other hand were flights which were operating at double the price. The common man deserves a safe, affordable and reliable journey. Those responsible for this chaos should not be allowed to let go for playing with the sentiments of people.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana