Reference to the payment of ex gratia to families of Covid victims; the Centre is unwilling, but if it is pressured by the SC, it may adopt the strategy of ‘Rob Peter to pay Paul’. The way the fuel prices are rising and the money is being used to fund welfare schemes is axiomatic. Moreover, families have not only lost breadwinners, but have also been fleeced by private hospitals. The government has failed to rein in such unscrupulous elements. Since the outset, the people have been left to fend for themselves, and the governments are in the thick of rigging Covid deaths. How did political parties, especially the BJP, manage their mind-boggling campaign expenses? They need capitalists to bankroll the party and design favourable policies to suit them, enabling them to corner the lion’s share of the country’s wealth. The BJP can do a great service by asking its cronies to divert funds in these trying times.

Deepak Singhal, Noida

Set up evaluation centres

In regard to ‘Parents, students flag concern over evaluation formula’; the criteria given by the education board should be challenged as it is uncertain and not drafted with much thought. In the past two years, there has been a boom of online education portals in the country which promise amazing content and evaluation criteria on a par with global standards. Why is the government not taking this route to evaluate the students of class X and XII? I have travelled extensively in India, conducting sessions for students, and sometimes in the remotest of places, and my observation is if the student cannot come to the evaluation centre, the evaluation centre can go to him. We do this to get votes, why deprive the student? Every district has a police station, post office, health centre, schools, colleges and universities; why can’t we convert them into an online evaluation centre, where a student can book a slot and walk in for evaluation? Let it be a 100% MCQ exam which can be taken in any language. Students who are technologically challenged can be assisted as we have a big teaching workforce. Why can’t they be mobilised for conducting exams?

Mandeep Singh, by mail

‘Juneteenth’ holiday

Refer to ‘Juneteenth for black lib’; the holiday is a symbolic yet significant step to set right public perceptions about Americans themselves. Recent happenings in the US have brought to the fore the unsavoury realities of the society therein. In spite of being a world power, the American society has its underbelly of colour prejudice and grave economic disparity between the whites and blacks and northern and southern psychological divide.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Neighbourly yours

‘Who makes a good neighbour’ appeared at a time, when the very concept of neighbourhood has started dying a slow death. In the last decade, with the sudden influx of mobiles and television, the lives of the majority of us have become cocooned within the four walls of our homes, glued to smartphones or Netflix. Seldom do we have the time to bother about who resides next door. At times, it is painful when information about death in the neighbourhood is conveyed by a maid. It is a hard reality that the concept of next-door neighbour has vanished. Unfortunately in our own families, we live like neighbours.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Opting for the forces

Refer to ‘Cadets from non-military families make the cut at NDA’; earlier, most cadets used to be from a military background. Life in the armed forces, especially in the Army, is quite tough. Despite that, many military officers would opt for a military career for their children. The trend seems to have changed. Presently, over 75 per cent of the cadets are from a non-military background. Being used to the comforts of civil life, whether they would be able to adjust to the tough and rough military environment, only time will tell. However, rigorous training is sure to make them fit enough to face military life.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR

Punjab Congress mess

It is strange that the Congress and its high command have failed to rein in a single MLA, Navjot Sidhu. Capt Amarinder Singh is the tallest party leader in Punjab. All that he has done in the past over four years has been undermined. So much time is being wasted in making panels and involving people just to please one person. It is a futile exercise. This precious time could have been devoted to some constructive development work. The Congress is left in three states, but still the high command is unmindful of this bitter truth. They are busy digging their own graves.

RD Dharmani, Shimla

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