New Delhi

The blame game

Why is it that our municipal authorities do not take any preventive action beforehand and indulge in the blame game once an epidemic breaks out?

The latest such instance is the outbreak of dengue in and around the Capital, with various government departments contradicting each other and then prescribing a list of dos and don’ts. It is strange that only when an epidemic breaks out do the civic authorities sit up and go through the motions of clearing the public dustbins and cleaning the drains. In all fairness they should ensure that their functionaries do their work properly in times normal and abnormal.

The citizens, too, should work towards keeping the environment clean and green. Or else there won’t be any escape from the spectre of dengue toll going up and up year after year.

Ganti Mahapatruni Rama Rao,

C-1199, IFFCO Colony, Sector 17-B, Gurgaon – 112 001.

The other day, I was on my way to the market just outside the university when a crowd in the middle of the road caught my attention. On reaching nearer, I saw a middle-aged woman lying in a pool of blood. She had been hit by some vehicle.

Everyone around was a silent spectator. With great difficulty I persuaded a bike-rider and carried her to hospital. But the doctors there refused to admit her saying it was a case of road accident and required police approval before she could be admitted. While I was arguing with the doctors to start the treatment and assuring them of completion of legal formalities in the meantime, some policemen came to the hospital. One of them said they had been informed that the person who had hit the woman had carried her to hospital. He intimidated me to write on a piece of blank paper accepting my involvement in the accident!

Of course I refused to do so. But I was shocked beyond words at the attitude of the police, the doctors, as well as the crowd at the accident spot.

Sachin Kumar Singh,

Room No. 45, S.R.K. Hostel, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005

On successful completion of the 29th Olympics in Beijing, it has once again been proved that China has become a superpower. They have bagged 51 gold medals.

India’s medal tally (1 gold medal, 2 bronzes) is nowhere near that. China endeavours to nurture talented children whereas we don’t bother about it.

It is unfortunate that for the first time, our hockey team could not qualify for the Olympics. It is high time we do something about it lest we would be left far behind them.

Abhra Roy Chowdhuiry

M. Tech. (Electrical Engg.) Room No.183, Viswakarma Hostel, Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi.

Getting an auto-rickshaw has become a tedious task these days. Despite instructions from Delhi traffic police as well as Delhi Transport Authority, many auto drivers refuse passengers. Delhi traffic police’s pre-paid taxi service is also not of much help.

On August 31, I went to the Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station to receive a relative. We paid Rs.62 for the pre-paid taxi service. We had to go to the DDA flats in Kalkaji. We were wandering in the railway station premises with the receipt as no drivers were wiling to come. Also, no police personnel was available for any assistance. We had to wait for a long time before we got get an auto, that also after requesting the official at the pre-paid service counter many times. We were forced to say that we would lodge a complaint with higher authorities. I request the officials to find a permanent solution for the arrogance of auto drivers.

Majumi M

J1-343, DDA Flats Kalkaji, New Delhi-19

The open spaces under the flyovers across Delhi can be used as parking space if there is no obstruction to the traffic. But the Delhi government should summon a meeting of authorities such as Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Committee, Delhi Development Authority, and Delhi Traffic Police to fix a uniform parking fee. This would ensure minimal trouble to the public for, there would be no hassle with contractors over the rates.

The Delhi Police should also publicise some easy-to-remember telephone numbers so that any complaints against erring contractors can be made immediately.

Madhu Agrawal,

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

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