PM Modi has held scores of meetings with CMs and District Magistrates of various states to disseminate information on a number of subjects affecting the country. Mostly these meetings are restricted to one-way communication, which, of late, have been labelled as a waste of time by some CMs. The Delhi CM was reprimanded for telecasting live the meeting with the PM. Kejriwal offered suggestions which were not liked by BJP leaders. Mamata Banerjee has questioned the communication style of Modi. In his last meeting with DMs, Modi disseminated information which is already available on data-base and is freely telecast by the Press. Such communication, and without the adequate resources, will serve no purpose except for passing the buck which will end up at the lowest level of bureaucracy.

COL KULDIP S GREWAL (RETD), PATIALA

Everything about money

Looting patients is a growing concern. It is a struggle between demand and supply for oxygen, medicines, ambulances. The wild wolves are just eating the flesh out of the dead. My heart aches when I read about the black marketing of essential medical aids; where rooms will be available only when you pay a huge amount and care will be taken when you opt for deluxe rooms. Inflated bills for those who are just living hand to mouth. Is this the reason why people curb their wishes and save money — for the worst; where in hard times you will be treated only if you have money? Things are falling apart, the Centre cannot hold. Can't the Government of India provide minimum medical aid to its citizens with equality?

DEVINA BADHWAR, ROHTAK

Partisan aerial survey

It’s unfortunate and unethical that the PM of the country only undertakes an aerial survey of cyclone Tauktae-hit Gujarat and not other states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Are these states not part of India and is he the PM only of Gujarat? During my nearly 50 years of reading The Tribune, I have not observed any PM of our country touring in such a way when many states are suffering from such a humongous calamity. God save India.

JS Wadhwa, Kapurthala

Train to Hardwar

Due to lockdowns and other restrictions, the Railways has drastically reduced passenger trains and many trains have been cancelled. In addition, interstate bus services have almost been suspended. As a result, people are unable to perform the last rites of their loved ones. Ashes are awaiting immersion in the Ganga at Hardwar, which is the nearest point of immersion of ashes for people from J&K, Punjab, Himachal and Haryana. Therefore, the Railways should run at least weekly or fortnightly trains from Jammu and Amritsar to Hardwar.

Ravi bhushan, Kurukshetra

WhatsApp privacy

Reference to ‘Protecting privacy’, today, people of all ages are dependent on WhatsApp for fast messaging and communication. Hence WhatsApp should be more risk free for people using it as social media. The government and the company should regulate WhatsApp in such a manner that privacy should be ensured. This will not only prevent crimes, but will also allow people to use WhatsApp confidently.

Suber Singh Parihar, Hamirpur

Old-age pension

Tarn Taran, like many rural and backward areas of Punjab, has a peculiar problem. Due to the lack of awareness among the uneducated village folk, benefits of welfare schemes are not reaching the people they are meant for. It is the duty of the village panchayats to help people in applying for these benefits. Many villagers are not getting old-age pension simply because they have no idea about their eligibility and how to apply. Simply making laws is not sufficient. Implementation needs the active role of the district administration. Panchayats must be roped in for not only creating awareness, but also helping people in completing the formalities, like filling the forms.

Aswant Kaur, Tarn Taran

Rahul Dravid as coach

Apropos of ‘Dravid to coach India white-ball team in Lanka’, it's great news for Indian cricket that our former skipper is going to coach the Indian white-ball team. Under the coaching of the batting legend Dravid, the Indian cricket squad is expected to play One-Day Internationals and T20 matches in Sri Lanka. One hopes the team would not only just play brilliantly in all those matches, but also clinch both the series under the guidance of Dravid, who is currently heading the National Cricket Academy. Undoubtedly, all cricket fans will wait eagerly for the commencement of the tour.

Sourish Misra, Kolkata

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