Key to power

NOWADAYS, the announcements of distribution of freebies and making the head or deputy head of the state from the Scheduled communities has become a trend to influence voters and divert political and governance failures. Freebies and caste are the key to get power. The recent appointment of the CM in Punjab is a clear-cut step to garner SC votes in the coming elections. Charanjit Singh Channi is one of the most educated CMs of Punjab, but alas his qualification has been ignored. Even, the AAP has adopted the same path as it has already announced that the Deputy CM would be made from the minority community if it came to power, besides announcing freebies in poll-bound states. It seems that the parties have no vision to increase revenue and ensure development.

NAVNEET SETH, DHURI

Dalit votebank

Refer to ‘Use of Dalit not derogatory’; experts are right as they are stating facts. In Sanskrit, Dalit means ‘split, divided, broken, scattered’. According to 19th-century Sanskrit literature, a person not belonging to the four Brahminic castes would be called a Dalit. But if this word is used as a tool by political parties or becomes a part of political agenda, it is wrong. Sadly, our Dalit society has always been used as a votebank.

Gagandeep Singh, by mail

Office punctuality

The new CM of Punjab has taken a pro-people decision by asking everyone to be present in their respective offices at 9 am. The so-called ‘camp office’, a colonial-era legacy, needs to be done away with so that none has an excuse to avoid reaching the workplace on time. The decision shall increase work efficiency and save a lot of time of the common man who keeps waiting endlessly for officials to reach office for getting their work done.

Lt Col HS Dullat (Retd), Patiala

The jet set

It is funny that the Opposition parties in Punjab — AAP and SAD — have criticised the new Chief Minister for travelling just 250 km by a chartered jet. Do they think that an aam aadmi — Charanjit Singh Channi professes to be one — cannot hire a private plane? Yes, he can. But every aam aadmi of the state has every right to know from the state’s param sevak (i) how much was spent on this flight, (ii) how much time did he save in so travelling in a chartered jet so as to attend to more important work of the state, and (iii) how much each minute he saved cost us?

KS Khurana, by mail

Find a way

With reference to ‘Women’s entry into NDA can’t be deferred by a year, says SC’; why does the Centre want to delay women’s entry into the NDA? Are we still not ready to see women coming forward and working equally with men? The Centre should hire employees or officials to make this happen as early as possible. Unemployment rate is high in the country. Anything is achievable if they truly want to do so. The Supreme Court’s decision of not delaying NDA exams is winning hearts and giving hope to many women aspirants.

Sakshi Sharma, Amritsar

Will take time

Refer to ‘Women’s NDA entry not this year: Govt’; this is not the first time in India that something related to women opportunities have been delayed and the same has been repeated again as the entry of women cadets into the NDA will not be possible this year because various facilities must be developed for them before they are allowed into the academy, the Centre has told the Supreme Court.

Shefali Kohli, Jalandhar

Chopper casualties

I join the whole nation in conveying my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of our brave pilots who lost their lives in a chopper clash. It does raise questions regarding the safety and credibility of the ‘Make in India’ movement and HAL. The Government of India should take a serious view of it and get to the bottom of the lapses, if any. Efforts are needed to ensure that no such casualty occurs in future. The world is looking towards India’s future capabilities.

NARENDRA KUMAR SINGHAL, NOIDA

Diplomatic initiative

Apropos of ‘Diplomacy in high gear, PM Modi leaves for US’, India must form a diplomatic group to tackle any adverse situation that may arise due to the failure/lapse of global leadership, and by our insidious neighbours. PM Modi has embarked to the US to resuscitate the relationship with it and to make a strong pact against any misadventure by our neighbouring countries, from the north-west to the north-east frontiers.

Prabhash Kumar, Dharamsala

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