Mailbag

Construction of GMC sarai

Sir,

It is an admitted fact that Medical College Jammu has to cater of all six districts of Jammu province. The hospital is often flooded with patients and the accompanying attendants. These attendants are causing great difficulties for the patients as well as hospital authorities because they have no place to go and many of them cannot afford to stay in the hotels.

Almost all the authorities including the State Governor, State Human Rights Commission, Red Cross, ministers and even Principal Medical College, have realized the utmost necessity of the Sarai in the vicinity of GMC so much so that the then Chief Minister of the State also did not lag behind to show his concern about the non existing of such an abode but nobody has come forward in order to give practical shape to the most cherished idea of constructing a saria. In a recent judgement of January 2,2004 hon'ble chairpersons State Human Rights Commission Mr.Justice A.M. Mir in writ petition filed by Viklang Chattra Trust make recommendations to the Government that "project of construction of Sarai be taken up within four months''.

In this perspective may I take up an opportunity to make the most prevent appeal to the people including the legislators to come forward unanimously for the construction of this Saria so that the noble idea is translated into reality.

I also wish to convey my congratulations and support to the VCT for taking up the matter with the State Government.

Yours etc...
Vishal Kapur
Jammu.

Supreme Court tableau

Sir,

Supreme Court tableau, highlighting the functioning of the Apex Court of the largest democracy of the world was one of the major attractions of this year's Republic Day celebrations.

It is really a healthy step that the transparency of the highest law government body was presented through the usual media depicting how the justice is being dispensed with in this country without fear or favour with the focus, " A day in Jury chamber'' enchanted the viewers. Really, it shall prove a great boon for the socially deprived and neglected people and make them believe, "God sees the truth but waits," and elevate the image of judiciary as a Messiah for the down trodden and victimized people of the country. Such tableaux shall serve as eye openers for the ignorant masses and play a pivotal role in ridding of the social evils in which the innocent people are placed at the altar and tortured unnecessarily.

Yours etc...
K L Dhar
40-Ustad Mohalla,
Jammu.

Real tribute

Sir,

Apropos the editorial "Saga of courage" published in the Daily Excelsior.

Indian history is full of instances where sons-of-the-soil have sacrificed themselves for the nation whenever its security was in danger. People like Lt. Triveni will always be there, but people who would remember them, their sacrifices will be in dearth. It is unfortunate that we forget them after paying them the customary salutations. The real tribute to them would be to look after their families after death by providing them sufficient financial support. More over the cause they fought for should also be remembered.

Politicians who are behind the present mess in the country should open their eyes and see for themselves how their activities are harming the nation, and how young people have to lay their lives.

During Kargil operation, the people showed much sympathy towards the martyred soldiers. News-papers kept on publishing stories of sacrifice and bravery. Even some papers published free of cost obituary ads in their newspaper. But once Kargil operation came to an end, people kept mum. This should not happen in the future. To keep the Indian flag high, it is the duty of every citizen to contribute his bit in the nation building process. This would be the real tribute to the martyred soldiers.

Yours etc...
P K Sharma
Talab Tillo
Jammu.

Tobacco ads

Sir,

It refers to Union Cabinet's decision to impose a total ban on advertisements of tobacco-products in the country. It is not understood why our rulers do not take ultimate step to rather impose a total ban on sale of injurious tobacco-products especially cigarettes which are proven health hazard responsible for killing millions of people every year! Government-spending on tobacco-related diseases accounts much more than revenue earned by sale of these products. Smoking starts in youngsters as fashion and status symbol. It does not feel good in initial stages, but later it develops as addiction. Union Government should ban manufacture of cigarettes and other tobacco-products like 'gutkha' at least in interest of families of smokers at least which are the worst sufferers in case of fatality of smokers, defying all pressures from anti-public but influential tobacco-lobby in the country!

Yours etc...
Madhu Agrawal
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba, Delhi