The Hindu : New Delhi News : A precious asset

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Monday, Jun 02, 2008
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New Delhi

New Delhi

A precious asset

Senior citizens in our country are generally looked down upon as a burden and a liability. It is ironic that children do not take care of their elders when they are alive but after their death “shradhs” are observed year in and year out with a great deal of solemnity and fanfare. How easily they forget that they would in all likelihood meet a similar fate sooner or later. The parents give away everything at their command to make their children happy, but how easily do the children forget the sacrifices made by their father and mother!

The Supreme Court deserves kudos for directing the insurance authorities in a recent judgment to frame new guidelines for medical insurance policies for senior citizens so that they do not get a raw deal.

In one’s 60s and 70s everyone requires more of health care due to the natural ageing process, but our inhumane insurance companies tend to reject them out of hand.

I appeal to the Government, the judiciary, the media and especially our younger generation to take care of the elders because they are our precious asset.

Dr. Naresh Raj,

34, Power Colony, PSEB, Patiala.

Passport pangs

I applied for my passport in May last year (File No.Z010816). After the first inquiry I was asked to submit three copies of the passport form. I did. Then I submitted all the required documents with the investigating officer who visited my residence on March 18, 2008. He came from the Dwarka Sector 23 police station, Reception No.1. He asked for a bribe which I refused to give. Now my status page on the passport website states that I am a “casual visitor” to the given address, which is ridiculous.

I have been staying at my present address for nearly three years now with my family and I have given the required address proof (bank statement). I should have received my passport by now.

I have complained twice through e-mail to the Public Grievances Officer but there has been no response.

Police are meant for protection and well-being of the citizens but quite often they are a source of harassment. The authorities concerned must take immediate action and let me have my passport soon.

Rajiv Mark Singh,

255, Great India Apartments, Plot No.15, Sector 6, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110 075.

Mosquito menace

The daily “Sound & Light” show at Delhi’s Red Fort resurrecting its rich history is an attractive and educative experience. Tourists from all over India and abroad come to be part of this spectacular presentation, overseen by India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

However, it becomes difficult to sit through the entire programme because of huge swarms of mosquitoes hovering around the audience! Most public stands thus get empty soon. ITDC should look into this matter urgently and make proper arrangements.

Madhu Agarwal,

1775, Kucha Lattushah, Dariba, Chandni Chowk, Delhi – 110 006.

Hello, SpiceJet….

I booked three tickets on February 1, about six months in advance, for a journey on July 14 by SpiceJet flight SG 308 from Chennai to Delhi at Rs.999 each plus taxes, including fuel surcharge.

But subsequently I discovered that not only was the fare reduced to Rs.699, the flight too was re-scheduled. I kept quiet on being refused the reduced fare by the airline, but protested when they refused to refund my money after I learnt that the flight was re-scheduled.

A SpiceJet customer care executive told me that Rs.750 would be deducted from each ticket as cancellation charges and the balance would be kept in its credit shell for use within a year.

Following this I sent a mail to the airline’s senior functionaries Siddhanta Sharma, Kamal Hingorani and Samyukth Sridharan on May 11 listing my grievance and warning that I would be forced to take action against them if they do not respond by May 14. Only after this did SpiceJet reply on May 13 saying that it would refund my entire amount.

It is sad how SpiceJet makes false claims of providing the cheapest fares and best of facilities when it does not even bother to respond to a passenger’s complaint until threatened with dire consequences.

Ashwani Anand,

356, Sector 22-A, Chandigarh - 160 022.

Quota raj

Quota here, quota there,

Quota everywhere.

Quota in education, quota in profession,

Quota is there in every vocation.

Quota in banks, quota in ranks,

Quota is there in even think tanks.

Begging with quota bowl in hand has come to be the highest honour,

Merit and ability are dealt worst possible dishonour.

Watch out for the racial ladder,