Refer to ‘Fighting virus with all our might: PM’, a blame game is on between the BJP and the Opposition. Certain suggestions to tackle Covid from former PM Manmohan Singh are not even considered. This is a war-like condition and there have been many setbacks due to the government’s mishandling of the farmers’ stir, Covid preparedness, elections, etc. In spite of serious debacles and deficiencies, how can the PM list achievements in the past seven years? The common man feels that the government has failed to address corona-related issues, including vaccines. If any politician of the ruling party feels that they can fight this pandemic with might alone is sadly mistaken. Politicians have to shed their ego, frustration and hatred, and fight like soldiers. Our parliamentarians must visit soldiers deployed at the borders and learn from them how to remain united in adverse conditions.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali

Call off the games

Apropos of ‘Olympics during pandemic’, the go-ahead to the games by the IOC and the Japanese government, despite the raging pandemic, is imprudent. However, if Japan is the first to call off the games, it has to pay a hefty penalty to IOC and this could be the reason why it is dithering. The IOC ought to weigh in waiver of penalty. It is also possible that many countries may like to shun the games and it shall give undue advantage to a handful of athletes in an uneven playing field, which is at odds with the spirit of any international competition. Further, the games may be scrapped midway on account of the pandemic. By all accounts, the pitfalls outweigh the monetary and other gains.

Deepak Singhal, Noida

Japan can do it

In reference to ‘Olympics during pandemic’, if in such times, when the pandemic is wreaking havoc around the globe, many sports events are still being conducted smoothly, for example the NBA and the French Open, why not the Olympics? In some stadiums even spectators are allowed. If we compare Japan’s figures with those of Russia, we will know how safe the former is. Russia, which is 45 times bigger than Japan, has almost an equal population, which means the population density of Japan is far greater than that of Russia, but still Japan’s Covid death toll is about 13,000 and that of Russia is 1.21 lakh. Therefore, if proper measures are taken, there is a high possibility that the Olympics can happen safely in Japan.

Gurshan Singh Sidhu, Mohali

Modernisation of forces

Apropos of ‘Modernisation of Army on course’, only 28 per cent of the allocated defence budget is used for modernisation. With Pakistan and China on the loose, subordinating the defence sector is not acceptable. Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative cut down on weapon imports, putting the weight on the unprepared indigenous companies. As the government introduces the private sector to the military market, it must ensure that the weapon quality is not compromised. The news of MiG-21 crashing every two months must be taken as an ultimatum to modernise our equipment. India has the most skilled task forces, if only it could be synergised with the sophisticated machines, we would have Atmanirbhar Bharat in the true sense.

SIDDHITA MADAN, JALANDHAR

Hapless PSPCL

‘Storm bares Punjab’s fragile power infra; blackout in several districts’ is a grim reminder of the deteriorating condition of PSPCL. The bureaucrat given additional charge of PSPCL feels helpless and gives a one-line fixed reply, ‘There is no shortage of material and manpower.’ With the paddy season about to start, the power engineers are worried how to cope with the situation owing to shortage of distribution transformers, insulators, cables, etc. The management’s aim to run PSPCL with existing meagre strength is a pipe dream. Shortage of staff is reported in almost all departments. By denying it, the CMD is only fooling the consumers.

Ravinder Singh, Jalandhar

Obscure education

The pandemic has exposed the fault lines in our education system even further. Many pupils from rural areas are complaining about the education system. Some say it is stressful to study online. Many parents worry about their child's health and career. Some say their children have lost interest in studies. I was flabbergasted when a student asked me, ‘Madam, what will we do after studying when there are no jobs? It’s better to do IELTS and migrate to another country.’ This is worrisome. Education should be considered the first priority and exams should be taken through an alternative method, like viva-based exam on calls by the school faculty, so that students take academics seriously.

BHARTI THAKUR, JALANDHAR

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