letterstoeditor

HATE CRIMES IN US

There has been a surge in hate crimes in the US since the election of Donald Trump as the country’s President. Other factors like financial inequality and security too are responsible for anti-immigrant sentiment to some extent, but Trump’s statements tend to justify the excesses of the extremist elements. The heinous murder of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas is the latest in the many attacks on Indian Americans in the past. India should take up this grave issue with the US on a priority basis. Usha Verma, Chandigarh

II

Almost a century has passed since the Indians started going abroad for better living. The hate crimes against the Indians in other countries send signals of worry across the nation. There is a need to proactively take up such incidents with the countries where they take place. With Trump as President, there has been sudden spurt in hate feelings in the US. The United Nations must take some initiative on the issue. Abhiraj Singh Bajwa, Hoshiarpur

III

The murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla was definitely the repercussion of Trump’s utterances against the non-US residents as the shooter, Adam Purinton, shouted “Get out of my country” while killing Srinivas in Kansas. This incident was undoubtedly a racial crime. The US is no longer a haven for the Indians after the election of Trump as President. We must ealise the fact that an ethnic divide has gripped the US now and should not send our children there. Paramjit Singh ‘Parwana’, Patiala

ARMY CHIEF’S TOUGH STAND

The criticism of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat for his tough talk is unwarranted. His strong signal of switching over to action mode against anti-nationals and their sympathisers is timely. Unbridled violence and casualty of security personnel can’t be allowed to continue. Enough is enough. We must draw a line somewhere. The chief’s tough stand reflects the sentiments of the nation that wants J&K to be restored to its glory. Militants and their supporters should be shown no mercy. Ajay Kaushik YELLOW RUST Appearance of ‘yellow rust’, a fungal disease of wheat crop, in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh is a matter of serious concern for Punjab farmers. Though no case has been reported from Punjab yet, the disease that can spread by wind can affect the crop anytime. The present weather conditions are favourable for the deadly disease. Apart from the farmers, the state agriculture department and other authorities concerned must keep a close watch and initiate precautionary steps before it is too late. Mahesh Chander, Ludhiana

TOURISM INDUSTRY

Tourism industry in India has vast potential for generating employment and earning large amount of foreign exchange, besides giving a fillip to the country’s overall economic and social development. But much more remains to be done. Eco-tourism needs to be promoted so that tourism helps in preserving the diversity of India’s natural and cultural environment. Tourism should be developed in such a way that it is minimally intrusive or destructive to the environment and supports the native culture. Rukma Sharma, Jalandhar

RECRUITMENT OF DOCTORS

The Haryana government needs to reconsider its policy on recruitment of doctors. Every year, it advertises about 200 posts of medical officers, but only 50 to 60 take up the job offer. Those selected are either postgraduates who just apply without any intent of joining or are under-graduates who hope to get admission in PG courses in a few months. The government keeps waiting for the selected candidates to join. Dr Rajul Goel

ROADSIDE GARBAGE

My recent journey from Chandigarh to Delhi by bus was an unpleasant experience. Initially, I felt proud when I witnessed developmental activities taking place as roads were being constructed and highways and flyovers built at several places. The highway we were travelling on was clean. But as we approached Delhi, the road appeared dirty with garbage disposed alongside them. Though it is the government’s duty to maintain the cleanliness of roads, the public is also responsible for upkeep of the surroundings. Megha Bisht

TECHNOLOGY CAUSING DIVIDE

It is not only the children who are responsible for the growing divide between parents and their offspring, but the modern technology is also affecting the family relationships with each passing day. It keeps children occupied in messaging and surfing on social media. They are always busy in their own stuff. Something needs to be done to check this trend lest the age-old bond between parents and children disintegrates. Sandhya

‘GUARDIANS OF NATIONALISM’

What happened at the Ramjas College on the north campus of Delhi University on February 22 is the latest assault by the RSSaffiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on our democratic right of dissent and discussion. After the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya janat Party came to power at the Centre, the ABVP has taken upon itself to judge which academic activities of higher educational institutions are national or anti-national. As a result, the plural society in our country is under siege. In such a situation, liberal-minded people need to come forward to prevent the attack on our freedom of speech and expression. Tarsem Singh, Mahilpur