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CHARMED BY AMRITSAR, WHAT ABOUT PUNJAB?
The surroundings of Darbar Sahib have indeed been transformed aesthetically. Walking down the street to the main entrance brings back the old charm of Amritsar. The government deserves credit for this. But that does not absolve it of the pathetic state of civic amenities in Punjab. DILJEET SINGH, MUMBAI
BLESSED BEGINNING
The historical city of Amritsar attracts one and all. HT’s special coverage on Monday made for a pure and blessed start to the day. The pictures spoke for themselves. Such efforts make our heritage reach worldwide. Thanks to Hindustan Times. GURSIMAR KAUR MIDDHA, LUDHIANA
NO WELFARE STATE
The SAD-BJP government is in poll mode and issuing advertisements citing its achievements, including the construction of highways. That is no government feat as it’s the people who pay toll tax. The capitalist class that built these roads is making profits by way of the money collected. This is against the concept of a welfare state. PARAMJIT SINGH AULAKH, AMRITSAR
GIVE PAK BEFITTING REPLY
The ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers in Jammu’s RS Pura and Hiranagar sectors are a matter of concern, particularly for BSF patrol parties. The sniper attack on BSF jawan Gurnam Singh was an act of cowardice. The BSF should be empowered to give the Pakistani Rangers a befitting reply. The government should carry out an operation like the surgical strikes in these border areas too to teach the Rangers a lesson. RAJ KUMAR, AMRITSAR
DEFEATED PURPOSE
What’s the purpose of the surgical strikes and exaggerated chest thumping thereafter for days on the electronic media? Where are we heading? Our soldiers are being killed either at the border or along the Line of Control as a routine. Before the surgical strikes, our soldiers were not being killed daily. Soldiers are the asset of the country and we are losing them just for spite. KAMAL KUMAR, KHARAR
PEOPLE POWER
The Punjab elections are near. The Congress is going door to door with a letter asking farmers to fill details about their family and outstanding debt. The party is issuing receipts as a mark of agreement, guaranteeing debt waiver if voted to power. The Aam Aadmi Party is doing the same, while the Shiromani Akali Dal is making tall claims about farmer welfare. The people of Punjab are wise and will judge the politicians in the polls. RANPINDER SINGH GILL, MOGA
SP’S POLITICAL STUNT
The Samajwadi Party knows that it is not going to win the elections. It is only diverting public attention from core issues such as law and order in Uttar Pradesh. The political stunt seems to be working as people are busy talking about the SP’s problems rather than their own. AMIT BHARTI, VIA EMAIL
MAHABHARATA IN UP
Shivpal Yadav’s refusing to toe the line of his nephew and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav at its helm gives a distinct sense of deja vu. This battle of one-upmanship is as old as mankind. It refreshes the story of Mahabharata with new dramatis personae. DR ABHINAV SHARMA, LUDHIANA
FALLING STANDARD OF POLITICS
What started as a revolution two weeks ago with the boycott of Pakistani talent in Bollywood has been purchased of late on the pretext of welfare fund for the army by the initiator of the event, Raj Thackeray. He thinks Rs 5 crore can heal the wounds of those who have lost a family member in action for the nation. Politics can rip apart any strength and fall to any depth in Indian democracy. KULDEEP PATHAK, CHANDIGARH
ANTI-INDIA NOT ANTI-MODI
Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar has made a U-turn and now says he is anti-Modi not anti-India. He knows he won’t win any support from people who have seen him raising anti-India and proPakistan slogans at the university. He was invited to Ludhiana to talk on ‘Increasing costs and reducing jobs’ but ended up attacking Hindu organisations instead. An economist would have been in a better position to deliver the talk rather than a pseudo secular leader. MAHESH CHANDER, VIA EMAIL
MAKE E-BANKING SAFE
The recent ATM security breach has left customers in the cold. Banks need to increase security measures and improve efforts to educate customers. They must put in place procedures to ensure safety of electronic banking. If India’s cyberspace has vulnerabilities, it also has a highly skilled IT workforce that can be tapped for strategic use. AKASH KUMAR, JAGRAON
CLEAN COMIC ROLE
The death of comedian Mehar Mittal signals the end of an era. His clean comic role in Chann Pardesi was a milestone in Punjabi movies. His mere appearance on screen would liven up the cinema hall. His contribution to Punjabi cinema is appreciable. AK SHARMA, CHANDIGARH