The Hindu : New Delhi News : Reader's Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 13, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Reader's Mail

Shahdara calling

The clocks at Shahdara Junction railway station do not function despite repeated complaints to the authorities concerned.

At present 93 trains stop here daily and more than 50,000 passengers use this huge junction every day. Only two clocks have been provided by the Northern Railway authorities on platforms No. 2 and 3 while platform No. 1 is still without a clock. The clocks are always "out of order" or showing different timings. For a long time we have been requesting the authorities to replace these but in vain.

It is time the General Manager of Northern Railway probed the matter and did the needful.

M. B. Dubey Bijnori,

Secretary, Dainik Yatri Sangh,

1/10459, Mohan Park,

Naveen Shahdara,

Delhi - 110 032.

Wanted: a subway

I am a resident of Kilokri village opposite Maharani Bagh. Yes, it is the same Maharani Bagh where affluent and influential people live. Recently a new flyover has been constructed near Ashram due to which they have closed the cut provided earlier for traffic. For that, we are now provided with a service road.

But the problem is road-crossing. The signal lights mostly don't work. Even when they do, people are not ready to obey the traffic rules. All the people are in a hurry, so they never want to stop. Thanks to our Delhi Traffic Police who are never there to see whether people are obeying traffic rules or not.

We desperately need a subway to ensure a safe, smooth passage.

Kanupriya Joshi,

127-A, Kilokri,

Opposite Maharani Bagh,

New Delhi -- 110 014.

Retired and hurt

My wife and I are both senior citizens suffering from different disabilities. While there seems to be a lot of talk by the Government about concern for senior citizens and people with disabilities, the treatment we have received has made me decide that I will not avail of any medical facilities that are perhaps my due, even in an emergency.

I retired from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1983. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in recognition of my work asked me to develop and lead NISTAD (National Institute for Science, Technology and Development Studies) for two years. In 1986, the Government of India awarded me Padma Shri for my contribution in new areas of science. In 1997, the Director-General of CSIR had this to say, "CSIR has had the privilege of having some outstanding individuals who are path-breakers. Prof. A. Rahman was one of them...."

In 2004, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, named me on its roll of honour for my work on science planning in the 1950s. Various national and international organisations gave me fellowships in recognition of my work.

Aged and retired now, I am being treated callously by our bureaucracy. In 1993, I had a heart attack in Mysore. Unfortunately I survived this and another attack in 1995. The CSIR did not reimburse the expenses incurred by me.

In 2002-04, the CSIR did not pay the required sum to CGHS to enable me to renew my card. Hence I could not avail of the facilities due.

In 2004, totally incapacitated by arthritis and in great pain, I got both my knees operated upon in a nearby hospital. Once again the CSIR did not reimburse the bills saying I had not taken permission and had not gone to a proper hospital.

In 2004 again I had a serious attack of pulmonary oedema. I was rushed to hospital unconscious. The CSIR subsequently returned the presented bills without comment.

In 2005, I had chest pain and breathing problem and hence was taken to hospital on a local doctor's advice. Once again the bills presented by me were returned by the CSIR on the ground that I had not taken their permission.

Through this letter here now I am applying to the CSIR for permission to die so that they do not withhold my wife's pension under the excuse that I had not taken their permission.

Prof. A. Rahman,

Flat No. 30, Tower-A,

Zakir Bagh,

Maulana Mohammad

Ali Marg,

New Delhi - 110 025.

A rare officer

I refer to the brutal assassination of a rare police officer named Thangthuam in far-flung Manipur. He hailed from a small village called Singngat near the Indo-Myanmar border. Coming from a humble background, he studied and worked his way up in harsh circumstances to become an Indian Police Service officer. He chose to serve in Manipur, his home State, despite the most unattractive ground situation presented by the prevailing law and order problems since the early '80s.

Despite the odds, he served with exemplary sincerity and dedication and rose to become IGP with excellent prospects of further promotion. Never once during the last 25 years of his service did he forget his humble roots, maintaining characteristic courtesy and decency towards all kinds of people in the police force or outside. He was kind, generous and a gentleman through and through.

How did a man like him die in the hands of so-called People's Liberation Army/RPF? Was he targeted by the proscribed outfit because of his work? What of others similarly engaged? Or is it possible that he was perceived to be in the way of others' plans? Or was he targeted for being a towering symbol and icon of the tribals who had to be got rid of in the continuing systematic onslaught let loose on the tribals? Who all are going to benefit from the macabre assassination?

T. Kaithang,

Lailam Veng,

Lamka (Manipur).

Time for change

The reason for so many setbacks suffered by the Congress recently is its dual policy. It says one thing, it does something else. That is why it is losing everywhere. In spite of being in power in several States, it does not seem to be in a strong position. It should change its ways.

Syed Raghib Shah,

H-86, Muradi Road,

Batla House, Jamia Nagar, Okhla,

New Delhi-110 025.

MTNL responds

This refers to the complaint in these columns under the heading "Hello, MTNL...." (January 9). After examining the complaint, our concerned officer talked to the subscriber on telephone No. 22752067 and I am happy to report that he is now satisfied with the functioning and billing of his phone.

Shyam Sunder Sharma,

Assistant General

Manager (CS),

Mahanagar Telephone

Nigam Ltd.,

First Floor, Eastern Court, Janpath,

New Delhi - 110 001.

Yes, Prime Minister?

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should use the Right to Information Act to find out what his Ministers are doing.

Raghu Nath Singh,

60, Gopal Bari,

Ajmer Road, Jaipur.

(Letters for this column may be sent by e-mail to wsins@thehindu.co.in. They must carry the full postal address of the writer and should be marked "Reader's Mail".)

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