Toll tax - Veterans

Lt Col ( Retd ) I B Dutt
It is quite surprising that the Government is downgrading the prestige of decorated veterans to this level that is expects the veterans to carry their decorations along with in order to claim exemption in toll tax. One wonders as how much would it cost the Government to give a sweeping exemption for the veterans and their dependents from all the toll taxes. I am quite sure the amount involved over couple of decades would be less than the one lost by the state ion any one scandal.
Now, from the veteran’s point of view, the amount involved is peanuts but it gives them a separate identity. Not only that the dependents would feel that the service rendered by their elders have given them a special status. This gesture would act as a motivational factor for the young ones to join the forces.
What a paradox it is that whenever the lives of people are in danger, or there is a calamity, law and order problem, search for a lost copter in inhospitable terrain, arranging an event of National level, etc., we think of the most dependable and disciplined force that is defense forces but when there is any relaxation / perk, howsoever minuscule it might be, we are reluctant.

Learning Mathematics.

Mathematics is beyond doubt the most important tool for higher education and research. Being generally textual in nature becomes monotonous if not tackled skilfully. In the current scenario of exploding communication technology and computers we can handle the subject very effectively and also make it interesting and lucid. In this field one has to view the product of Designmate (India ) Pvt. Ltd., to believe as to what can be achieved by dedicated and committed digitalisation of the contents. The topics are so well animated that the children are glued to the computers and learn the subject.
In order to keep alive the interest in Mathematics we the mathematics teachers must keep ourselves updated all the time to ensure that the students don’t lose interest in this most important subject.

CORRUPTION AT HIGH LEVEL

The menace of corruption is spreading like an epidemic and is leaving no walk of life untouched. There is an urgent need to take immediate measures to contain it. The only way it seems is to be ruthless while dealing with the corrupt. These greedy people are tarnishing our image in the world. Setting up of CVC or having Auditors in place are having no effect on these people and the reason seems to be that they know the pace at which the inquiry then proceedings in the court will move. The number of corrupts who have made use of their contacts and position is very large. These affected people like infected germs are spreading in our system like cancer. The only solution is early detection and amputation.

We need to train and equip a large number of doctors to take on this challenge of eradicating this epidemic. Government should react promptly and effectively before it is too late.

ACTING IN DISGRACE: Adarsh Housing Cooperative Society.

What a great shame these few disgraceful, shameless, blokes have caused to the most reputed, trusted, reliable, clean, apolitical, dependable body i.e., ARMY. All of us who have been part of this esteemed and most coveted body are ashamed for the conduct of few.

It is still the nurturing of the Army that has got a statement from these people to surrender the flats though nothing like this has been said by others like politicians, bureaucrats they are still busy finding excuse and ways out.

The Army has always been prompt in taking speedy action and setting an example. The act of crime committed is comparable to treason. They have betrayed the Nation the Army and uniform, they should be awarded the highest punishment under the earth.

They should be debarred from prefixing their rank with their names.

They should be isolated and instructions issued so they are not invited for any official function.

Their allotments should be annulled.

Speedy legal proceeding should be initiated by setting up special court.

Their passports should be confiscated.

Other financial deals processed during their tenure should be investigated.

They should be debarred from joining any other organization.

Traffic etiquette

Traffic etiquette.

Go on a morning walk, evening walk or drive during anytime of the day and one gets surprised that we call ourselves educated members of society. Parents driving their children to school bus, giving them their first lesson on driving, drive on wrong side of the road, honking away to glory. On the traffic signal not only covering the STOP sign but, covering the entire zebra crossing, leaving the pedestrians to fend for themselves. Covering the road for others having green signal thus narrowing the available road and endangering the others.
We are lucky to be in Gujarat where Mr. Narendermodi has done wonders by providing such wide and smooth road network. But it is very clear that roads may be any wide we shall remain unsafe unless we discipline ourselves. We need a tough traffic management network and strict action.
Let us get together to make the roads and our children safe.

Praful Patel at Chicago

The detention of Indian Minister at Chicago airport should be taken as National Interest and humiliation. The government should have a policy which ensures that the dignity of our politicians is maintained. How can a country bill our minister when we do not do so. We should remember that case of George Fernandis, Mr Somnath Chatterji etc. Time has come when we should act tough.

SECULARISM AT ITS PEAK

Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain Taking over the most sensitive command of XV corps speaks volumes of our faith in one and all. The proposal itself speaks loud and clear of our secular credentials. The rising of an officer to this level is neither by luck or design it is a pure display of of our impartial,unbiased, apolitical approach, fair evaluation system, etc., that has been once again displayed.
We all wish him the best of tenure ans success.