SHELTER HOME SHAME: A BLOT ON INDIA

Deoria and Muzaffarpur, may now, with justification, be referred to as state-funded brothels. These are a blot on the face of India. Deras of Bapu Asa Ram, Ram Rahim and others of their ilk add to this parade of shame. We are now the most unsafe country in the world for women. Our Parliamentarians are indeed to be blamed for failure to monitor shelter homes. Human rights also extend to jails, shelter homes for women, for children, for senior citizens and to the sick and the destitute. It is understood that some high courts have directed session judges/chief judicial magistrates to inspect such shelter homes to monitor living conditions and security arrangement. We need a similar system in Punjab and Haryana as well, if this is not in place till now.

Beant Singh Bedi, Mohali pilgrimage on foot to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Gaumukh. They walk long distances. However, sometimes lumpen elements enter their ranks and vitiate the pilgrimage. Nowadays, it is turning into a fashion to obstruct roads and play music on high volume, much to the inconvenience of commuters and citizens. In some cases, the kanwarias have even resorted to violence and vandalism. The administration needs to curb this trend by taking strict action against rowdy elements.

RL Bansal, Kurukshetra resources and good teachers in most education institutions. Many cultural programs, debates, youth festivals are organised in colleges and schools, but students hesitate to come forward and participate that is a hindrance to their development. The flaws in our education system are also known to everyone, but just harping on them is no solution. You have to work with what we have. On its part, the government should ensure that the syllabus remains dynamic and adaptable. Students must be trained in consonance with the needs of the environment.

Kulyash Balhra, Rohtak