Mailbag

Disrespect to National anthem
Sir,
This has reference to the news item ‘Disrespect to National Anthem’ in this paper on 12-5-2012.
Every country in the world has her own National song or National anthem which is respected by the citizens concerned. It is sung or played on very important functions or the like. Every participant in the function shows respect to the National song or National anthem by saluting or standing upright while its recitation.
The news item published in the aforesaid daily is shocking. It is reported that on 11-5-2012 at an inaugural function of three day International seminar and ”Impact of peace, conflicts and disturbances on Economic Development Processes” held at Kashmir University, Srinagar. As reported some officials and the students at the function showed disrespect to the National anthem.
The Governor N N Vohra took serious note of it and asked the VC Mr Talat Ahmed and other officials to take note of it and impressed upon them that such things should not happen in future. It is also reported that some officials said that they have no control over the students. The PRO Mr Showkat Shafi said, as reported, that nothing of the sort has taken place in the function.
However, the disrespect to the National anthem is shocking. One cannot expect such things to happen in the congregation of learned officials, highly educated cultured professors and even educated students of a well known University.
Yours etc….
Soom Nath Tickoo
Ram Vihar, Jammu-7
Save endangered Markhor
Sir,
It is reported that the magnificent spiral-horned Markhor which is found in Pir Panjal range of mountains of Jammu and Kashmir is under threat. Many factors have been cited as the cause of its declining population.
Some of these are insurgency, cross border firing, competition with live stock for grazing ground, poaching, fragmentation of habitat due to LoC fencing, and lack of awareness and developmental projects.
Though the Markhor is included in the Indian (Schedule 1) and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Acts, the threat against it survival remains.
In this context it may be said that the Forest department, and other concerned agencies must take every step to ensure that this endangered species is protected. It will be a great loss in case this species gets extinct from this planet. We will have nobody to blame except ourselves.
Yours etc…..
Farooq Khan
Ramban
No increase in retirement age
Sir,
The employees of State are demanding increase in retirement age from earlier 58 to 60 years. The demand has not fructified yet because this is a very sensitive issue. On one side the educated youths of the State are waiting for entry into Govt jobs on the basis of qualifications acquired by them, which can only be possible partially by creation of posts by the Govt in different departments and partially by appointments of the candidates on the posts vacated by retired peoples from different posts/departments.
But owing to good increase in salary during the last two Pay Commissions, the employees are least interested to proceed even on superannuation retirement. Before succumbing to the pressure of the employees and issuance of any such orders with regard to increase in retirement age, the Govt should keep in view the unemployment scenario of the educated youths of the State, who are sitting idle after secured degrees in respective fields.
As such Govt should say no to increase in retirement age. As those who are at the verge of retirement and who those who have joined service upto 31/12/2009 are entitled for pensionery benefits and can easily carry on the expenses of family in a proper manner.
Yours etc….
R C Sharma
Shiv Nagar, Jammu

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