The Hindu : New Delhi News : Reader's Dairy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Reader's Dairy

Sorry, Mr. Vajpayee

Sir, -- This past Monday afternoon I received a phone call from Mr. Vajpayee seeking my vote -- and he promptly lost my vote. Because, and only because, that call at 2-30 p.m. jolted me out of my afternoon nap. Other senior citizens who value their daily siesta will no doubt agree with me that such disturbance at that hour is sheer sacrilege.

If anyone among the think-tanks of our political parties believes that they can win over voters by such gimmicks, then they had better think again!

Mukund B. Kunte,

148 Munirka Enclave,

Nelson Mandela Road,

New Delhi - 110 067

* * *

Why opinion polls?

Sir--In recent days and weeks we have had a flood of opinion polls and exit polls on almost every television news channel and in newsmagazines and newspapers. But why?

Opinion polls use sample surveys and try to extrapolate the trends for the entire population. Some experts feel that the basis of any public opinion poll sample in India is shrouded in ignorance and darkness. Unlike in the West where societal mapping is more developed, here we know very little of crucial facts about the respondents.

Now that we are in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections, a debate has been initiated in the media: "Should opinion polls and exit polls be banned?" I for one am in favour of such a ban because in my opinion these opinion polls tend to encourage a crowd mentality. Otherwise, can anybody enlighten us as to how these poll predictions help the voters in any way?

On the contrary, these polls produce a negative impact by possibly brainwashing large sections of innocent voters and thus jeopardise the process of free and fair elections.

I do not share the apprehension expressed by some that a blanket ban on such polls would curtail the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution. On the other hand, such a ban will strengthen the democratic process by eliminating the possibility of influencing the average Indian voter's independent and objective judgment.

Onkar Chopra,

Flat - 114 A, Block - C2B,

Janakpuri,

New Delhi - 110 058.

Let India shine

Sir, -- This has reference to the report, "Call to vote for the Planet" by Aarti Dhar (April 28). It is incumbent on our political parties to give a serious thought to the matter and come up with some fundamental issues in their election campaigns rather than blindly challenging and opposing other political parties and candidates.

The parties should reach out to the masses and address some of the core issues like environmental, sewage or water problems of their respective areas which I feel is the need of the hour.

Only if we have a vision of a clean and green India for the present as well as for our future generations can we ever say with pride that "India is shining".

Rukmini Thampi,

B-1/458, Ist Floor,

Janakpuri, New Delhi - 110 058.

* * *

Vivek Vihar calling

Sir, -- Vivek Vihar railway station in Delhi is developing very fast. There are thousands of passengers travelling from Vivek Vihar to other stations every day to work, earn or study, but the rail facilities here are grossly insufficient.

At present as many as 49 trains have their halt at Vivke Vihar. The station was opened in February 1976, but, believe it or not, not a single train, passenger or express, from Delhi to Moradabad side stops at this station, while seven trains pass through. This causes a great deal of inconvenience to passengers from Vivek Vihar, Jhilmil Colony, Vishwakarma Nagar, Dilshad Garden, Surya Nagar and Seemapuri, etc. The residents of these colonies have to go to Shahdara, Delhi, Sahibabad or Ghaziabad to board their trains.

It has come to our notice that a sum of Rs.50 lakhs has been sanctioned by the Railway Board for extending the two platforms at Vivek Vihar. But what is the use of this expenditure when stoppage of trains is not provided by the Railway Board?

We appeal to the Railway authorities to see that all passenger and express trains stop at this station, especially the ones from Moradabad and Ambala, for the sake of the daily passengers without any further delay.

M. B. Dubey Bijnori,

Secretary,

Dainik Yatri Sangh (Regd.),

Navin Shahdara, Delhi - 110 032.

* * *

Hello, MCD....

Sir, -- The newly-introduced Unit Area Method for House Tax calculation in Delhi envisaging a jail sentence for defaulters will certainly cause a lot of problems to the citizens.

Many people cannot even properly follow the provisions of the new scheme imposed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The MCD should ascertain the covered area of every premise and issue bills as before. In that case, once the bills have been issued, the defaulters can rightly be punished by the MCD. The law-abiding citizens who pay off their bills will be saved a lot of harassment and bother.

The new scheme is highly complicated and there is no reason why the law-abiding citizens should be made to suffer a jail sentence when they are willing to pay the due House Tax to the MCD on receipt of a proper bill.

The MCD authorities must consider this aspect urgently and set things right.

Radheshyam Gupta,

BW-107-B, Shalimar Bagh,

New Delhi - 110 088.

* * *

For Senior citizens' sake

Sir -- I have always been proud of Non-Resident Indians who are a great asset for our country. But after watching a Zee TV programme, "The Inside Story", on senior citizens this past week, I am full of anguish and despair.

My heart goes out to all senior citizens who have been discarded by their ambitious children settled abroad. These self-centred career-builders should be branded as criminals. They should be liable to face trial under the international human rights law and should be punished for neglect of their sacred duty towards their aged parents who are left alone to face agony and trauma with a heavy heart. At 76, I am a senior citizen myself.

M. M. Sethi,

A-777, Avantika, Sector-2, Rohini,

Delhi - 110 085.

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Reader's Dairy