Covid cases are increasing alarmingly and its pattern is not understood as of now. There are reports of the vaccine coming soon, but nothing can be said conclusively. Cold weather conditions are adding fuel to the fire. The problem is how to deal with people who are behaving in a most irresponsible manner, making no use of masks, or not maintaining social distancing and throwing all precautions to the winds. The death rate is on the rise in almost all states and governments are finding themselves helpless. Under such circumstances, the onus lies on the people to behave in a responsible manner.

Santosh Jamwal, HAMIRPUR

Be responsible

Though the governments and the courts are taking responsibility to come out of the pandemic, it is also the duty of the citizens to take precautionary steps to avoid the transmission of the virus. They should practice social distancing, cover their mouth and nose properly with mask, use sanitiser and wash hands properly. It should be the moral duty of a citizen to not only look after their own health, but also that of others.

VANSHIKA BHASIN, PANCHKULA

Covid vaccine

Apropos of ‘Covishield trials show 90% efficacy’, the update on this vaccine, along with other vaccines being developed by Pfizer and Moderna, are encouraging in the backdrop of a surge in Covid infections. India cannot afford another lockdown, therefore, the next phase in the battle against the pandemic should focus now on vaccination. Given the differences in the distribution infrastructure needed and the consequent impact on costs, we need more than one vaccine and multiple pathways to access them. The government also needs to prioritise beneficiaries as there may not be enough to go around even as a vaccine receives regulatory approval. The quicker the people get vaccinated, the better it will be for the process of our economic recovery. The government, with its ability to buy in bulk, can lower costs for subsequent distribution. A combination of free vaccination along with a reduction in prices through bulk purchase can cover a substantial section of population.

PS Hanspaul, Batala

Fill top Army posts

Reference to ‘Amid LAC standoff, key Army posts lying vacant for months’; it is highly disconcerting and has serious implications for national security. Smooth transition and transfer of knowledge doesn’t take place in the absence of personal briefing by the outgoing commander which is very important. No amount of staff briefing can take its place. The responsibility of the department gets diffused when it is so important to fix it. There are already several instances of ‘failure of intelligence’, due to which military operations go awry. Failure to appoint DGMI for six months is unthinkable and unpardonable. Also, projects get delayed as there’s no competent authority to clear them. It also affects the morale of the rank and file. The ubiquity of social media takes it to the man on the front in the bunkers. The delay in crucial appointments in the armed forces is a serious dereliction of duty. The common perception is that top appointments are being deliberately delayed to accommodate favourites till they come into the reckoning, even though there are protocols to announce the successors well in time. If that be the case, it needs to be investigated by a high-level committee. It is essential to remove the bottlenecks from higher decision making in the interest of national security.

Lt Col GS Bedi (Retd), Mohali

Rail corridor collapse

What a pity that a portion of an under-construction freight rail corridor from Dadri to Rewari has collapsed. What are the main causes of such collapse? Is good material not being used or the foundation soil is not fit for the purpose? Earlier, this happened in Gurugram. Had it fallen after completion, there would have been huge loss of men and material.

Subhash C Taneja, Gurugram

Police reforms must

Refer to ‘Kerala’s U-turn’; of late, Kerala is in the news for all the wrong reasons, despite being one of the most progressive states. The ordinance could not stand legal scrutiny as it is beyond the purview of the state government to amend Central laws. However, it begs the question, do the state police really need untrammelled power by way of legislation or ordinance in a country where the police department is solely run on whims and fancies? There are states where extrajudicial killing has become the new normal. The irony is that police officials are being booked for terrorist acts. The department in public eyes is likened with licenced criminals. The pressing need before the country is to bring police reforms.

Deepak Singhal, Noida

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