2020 was a tumultuous and trying year, full of trials and tribulations (‘New beginning’). The onset of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has had a devastating impact. Organised tirade against religious conversions, interfaith relationships, mob lynching, suppression of constitutional rights, bringing in laws like the CAA and NRC through legislative overreach, and the use of brutal state force created an atmosphere of intolerance and disharmony. Let us be optimistic and hopeful that the New Year ushers in socio-economic and political regeneration and resurgence. The ruling dispensation should shun the politics of polarisation and improve governance by tackling the Covid-19 contagion and strive for holistic national development.

Tajpreet S Kang, Hoshiarpur

What’s to celebrate?

Hotels and clubs were all decked up to welcome the New Year. But what is there to celebrate when thousands of agitating farmers, undeterred by the bone-chilling conditions, are protesting against the farm laws? Farmers have moved in repurposed tractors towards Delhi. They have made Singhu and Tikri their war camp where volunteers are providing them with food and shelter. The peaceful protest that started in November is among the biggest ever witnessed in the country. Now, their slogan is ‘Nawan saal, Dilli naal’. The protest has moved every section of society. It is hoped a solution is found soon.

Wg Cdr JS Bhalla (retd), by mail

Change in approach

Since Independence, no year has been worse for India than the one just left behind. How long will it take to revive is a question that is hard to answer. We are trying to put life back into the economy with the slogan of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, which relies mainly on the efforts of companies and an individual’s labour. This is a method in which the role of the state is as good as abjured. The infusion of funds by the government to kick-start economic growth has been denied principally on account of the government’s own ideology. The system’s refusal to put sufficient money in the hands of producers, especially the micro, small and medium ones, is a mystery. This is in sharp contrast to what the leading nations have done. We can get there in the New Year only if we rediscover integrative behaviour and sympathetic governance.

Shovanlal Chakraborty, by mail

Hoping for better times

The flight of 2020 has ended amid turmoil. Hopefully, the New Year will begin on a conciliatory note. Love, amity, peace and harmony are the only luggage allowed on board. Hypocrisy, stubbornness and the spirit of giving that has gone amiss should stage a comeback. Hope the trip in 2021 is an enjoyable one.

Wg Cdr CL Sehgal (retd), Jalandhar

Rajini’s no to politics

Apropos of ‘Will serve people, but won’t float party, says Rajini,’ his no to politics removes a key unknown factor that had promised to turn the elections into a more exciting event. With his retreat from politics, citing health reasons, the main contest would be between the two major Dravidian parties — the ruling AIADMK and the DMK. Rajini’s films have banked upon his persona, but in politics, new political scripts have an uncertain chance of success.

PS Hanspaul, by mail

Damage to towers

Refer to ‘Stop damage to mobile towers, says Assocham’, seeking the intervention of the Punjab CM in the case of sabotage of telecom towers is a sad commentary on the situation. Even Capt Amarinder Singh’s appeal fell on deaf ears. The state is bound to lose prospective investors if such activities continue unabated. Even the Governor has called for immediate action by the state government to prevent such incidents.

Upendra Sharma, by mail

Role of public servants

Public servants must serve and not rule. They should also be compensated for the loss borne by the public from the salaries of guilty officials who delay the benefits and dues payable to other employees and members of the public. Time and public money wasted on the number of cases pending before the courts for decades can also be saved. There are instances of sundry benefits being denied to employees in case of differences with the higher authorities.

Anushika Bansal, Sangrur

Political interference

Civil servants must possess resilience as well as be bold. This was one quality that made them brave enough to stand against the whims of the political class during the initial years of India’s independence. This quality is being eroded due to interference by politicians for their personal gains. The bureaucracy, which was proudly called the steel frame, is rusting fast and there is a need to galvanise it.

Jashanjot Malhotra, by mail

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