Work makes people migrate

Refer to ‘Every Bihari counts in Punjab too’; humans have always sought to migrate to new lands in search of better opportunities. As former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon aptly put it, migration is a quest for dignity, safety and a better future. Yet, this natural human urge has often been met with resistance and hostility. The US has been openly opposing immigration after Trump took over. In India, there have been instances of resentment towards inter-state migrants. Migrants become an integral part of their adopted places of work over a period of time. There should be free movement of people, regardless of the places of their origin.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur

Bihar no more backward

Refer to ‘Every Bihari counts in Punjab too’; the migrant labour force from Bihar and UP has a vital role in the agricultural and industrial sectors of many states. They are almost indispensable. But the suffix ‘bhaiya’ is stuck to them like glue. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and UP were together called Bimaru states as they lagged in economic growth, education and healthcare but it is no more the case. They have overcome that stigma. Bihar, even when it was backward, gave us a stalwart like Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.

Wg Cdr CL Sehgal (retd), Jalandhar

Commitment to unity

Apropos of ‘Future now with people, said Patel at the inauguration of PEPSU’; Vallabhbhai Patel’s views deserve renewed attention as we must move forward with morality, prosperity and empowerment while upholding the duty of unity as our biggest responsibility. Ethical pragmatism and need-based living are essential principles for economic and social governance. Patel’s vision for India’s development was deeply rooted in his commitment to national unity, agrarian reform and self-reliance. The strong foundations laid by Patel’s economic vision and the philosophy of needonomics provide a timeless model for sustainable development that finds relevance even today.

MM Goel, Kurukshetra

Precursor to change in Bihar

Apropos of ‘Jobs to one crore youth, free education for poor, infra push: NDA releases manifesto’; the changing nature of party manifestoes in Bihar elections seems to be a precursor to change. After decades of being trapped in the Mandal-era caste arithmetic, it is refreshing to see political discourse shift towards the issues of governance, employment and development. Both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan manifestoes reflect an aspirational electorate that wants something more than social justice — it seeks economic opportunity and dignity through work. Even as the poll promises are ambitious, they indicate a maturing democracy. The focus on industrialisation, entrepreneurship and infrastructure points to the awareness that Bihar’s future depends on economic transformation.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Poll body must be proactive

Come elections, political parties get into the race of outdoing one another in announcing promises of development and freebies in their manifestoes. But most pledges remain unfulfilled after the party comes to power. It is time the Election Commission took note of this trend. There should be a provision under which the promise of freebies must be accompanied by the source of funds for them. If it is not mentioned, the poll body should issue a show-cause notice to the erring party.

Yoginder Singhal, Ladwa

Loss of intellectual vibrancy

The decision to dissolve the 59-year-old Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University marks a serious departure from the university’s long-cherished democratic and participative governance model. The Senate has historically represented a blend of intellectual vibrancy, alumni engagement and stakeholder participation. It was not merely an administrative body but a living embodiment of academic democracy — one that ensured accountability, representation and diversity of thought. Replacing it with a nominated structure risks eroding these very foundations. Decisions driven solely by bureaucratic convenience often fail to capture the spirit of academia.

Parvinder Singh, Mohali