Punjab should shun drugs and militancy forever; classes on the ill-effects of drug abuse must be held statewide (‘Gun, powder’, March 5). Punishment for drug dealers should be brutal, and the police must cut their supply lines. Militancy in the 1980s in Punjab has definitely left its scars. The AAP government is duty-bound to protect the people of the state. Its aim should not just be of corruption-free governance and providing welfare schemes, but also encouraging the youth of Punjab to contribute actively towards nation-building.
Pro-Khalistan outfits have no place in Punjab, and must be dealt with an iron hand. The Central government should closely watch the recent developments in a sensitive border state like Punjab. It is blessed with several natural resources, and Punjabis are known for their hard work and honesty.
Ramachandran K.M.,
On email.
Your cover story appeared surreal. After reading it, I walked down (terrifying) memory lane. It appears to be only yesterday when Punjab was embroiled in terrorism. The wounds are still fresh. Apparently, the lessons are either forgotten or were not enough.
Now what is required is to nip problems in the bud. Political apathy and inaction have paved the way for the current turmoil. An entire generation has been converted into addicts, so that they can be manipulated by wannabe politicians and terrorists.
Piyush Vardhini,
On email.
Your cover story was an eye-opener. The AAP alleged that previous governments in Punjab had failed to check drug menace in the state. But nothing much has changed since the AAP came to power.
The drug menace has spread its tentacles into neighbouring states. This problem needs to be tackled with earnestness and some gusto. The drug mafia should be demolished, nexus broken, and their sources closed. Along with it, the powers that be should launch an effective awareness campaign.
The move should shake the conscience of the politicians and the police, resulting in concrete steps to curb the deep-rooted menace.
R.D. Singh,
On email.
Punjab has been a problem state for long, with militancy among the youth rearing its head often. Now things have worsened, with more and more young people falling prey to drug abuse.
The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government is helpless in the face of the growing unrest among the youth. A proper approach by a well-guided enforcing authority can wrest the border state from anarchy.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Punjab has become synonymous with guns, gore and drugs. Merciless killings of innocent people, and the youth embracing drugs and guns have become the norm. Swift and immediate action by the state government is the need of the hour to arrest the trend and save the people of Punjab.
Prem S.M.,
Lucknow.
Truth about Brahe
Balakrishnan used misleading information on Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (‘Letters’, March 5). Brahe’s death, in 1601, at the age of 54, was believed to have been because of a burst bladder. But tests conducted in 1996 on samples of Brahe’s moustache and hair, which were exhumed, showed high levels of mercury. Subsequently, in another investigation into Brahe’s death, with even more sophisticated techniques, it was established that he may have consumed mercury as medicine. Brahe, who had good knowledge of chemistry, often prepared medicines that had mercury in them (common in those days).
Unfortunately, Balakrishnan’s omission of these facts made Shankar Mishra to be perceived as an innocent man who just could not control the urge to pee after allegedly getting sloshed on the flight.
V.R. Sashidhar,
On email.
No monuments
Can M. Karunanidhi’s writings match those of Thiruvalluvar’s or Ilango Adigal’s monumental works? Can they match the prose and poetry of Subramania Bharati? Can they match the works of Nayanars and Alvars? (‘Pen dent’, March 5).
Already vast swathes of land in the world’s second most beautiful coastline have been acquired for raising monuments for C.N. Annadurai, M.G. Ramachandran, J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi. A 134-foot tall pen-shaped structure in the sea could impair the ecosystem and marine life.
Great Britain did not raise such memorials for even William Shakespeare. A cash-strapped government would be advised not to splash taxpayers’ money on such fanciful monuments.
Kangayam R. Narasimhan,
Chennai.
Great going
I was happy and proud to see the photograph of US President Joe Biden attending a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the Ukraine war; Biden was listening patiently to Modi, along with US and Indian delegates; it shows the clout that India and Modi have today (‘Slick and steady’, March 5).
Modi’s thrust on promoting India’s heritage and culture is doing wonders. India was always looked upon as a force to reckon with, especially in the last 20 years.
Radha Iyer,
On email.
India’s greatest strength was the strategic autonomy and diplomacy it exhibited while handling the Ukrainian crisis. Despite huge pressure from the US and European countries to impose sanctions on import of oil from Russia, India moved ahead. It also paid Russia in Indian rupees.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.