Editor,
Kudos to all bank employees of India who are working hard and leading the “Fight Against Corruption” from the front. All sacrifices are being made by thousands of bank employees just to keep our economy running and dispense currency notes for the people who have been waiting. They have been facing a tough time in handling the sea of people standing in queues at the bank branches. Bank officials and staff are reaching their respective branches as early as 8am and working till late hours to clear the day’s work. They are even working at weekends with an intention to bring back the situation to normal. They are trying their best, handling myriad teething problems and frayed tempers of people standing in long queues for hours. The staff seated at the counter have to deal with “boiling” situations whenever cash on their desk runs dry. Despite, long working hours, no leave and high stress levels, bank officials draw the ire of the milling crowd outside. Add to this the systemic problems and fatigue — the life of bank employees has become a nightmare in the last two weeks. With millions of currency notes being counted every day, the work hours at the banks are tightly strung. There is no time for breaks except a brief lunch hour and the pressure is gruelling. It is the cashiers who are bearing the brunt of demonetisation. While the manpower at banks is ready to deliver, the technology and other logistics fail at times, putting the bankers in a false situation vis-a-vis the public. Banks must chalk out a ‘compensation plan’ for their employees, who have been working long hours to cope with the unprecedented rise in customer visits, after the govt’s surprise demonetisation move.
Yours etc.,
Akash Kumar,
Jagraon, Punjab
The nations trusts Modi
Editor,
This refers to the article “Modi from a Chaiwala to a seller of dream” (ST, Nov 21, 2016) by HH Mohrmen.. Modi is the first PM who has popularity all over world for his excellent and dynamic presentation making India very stable despite unprecedented opposition. No politician in the past 30 years has occupied the public’s mind-space as he has. ‘Achhe din’ remains an illusion. On ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’ BJP is making a deeper dent. The best part of this Government is the usage of social media which is tremendous. The illusion of better times can become sustainable only by engaging in the rhetoric of a Congress-mukt Bharat. The most impressive passion that Modi has exuded is the passion for development; the passion for uplifting the living standards of the people in India and the joy with which he recounted simple yet memorable data-points. What we need in a leader is a progressive mind, sincere approach, positive attitude, and true sense of equality and all these qualities are there in Modi. Faced with massive economic losses, he re-organised the administrative structure and embarked upon a massive cost-cutting exercise. The nation trusts Modi and so his policies should come up to the expectations and within the reach of needy and poor. Projects to ensure water, electricity, decent housing and education within the reach of all sections, should be taken up on a war footing such as will show tangible results in the coming years of BJP’s tenure.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad- 15
Better trains, nit bullet trains needed
Editor,
With reference to the report, “Death toll mounts to 146 in Indore – Patna Express train accident” (ST, November 22, 2016). It is a matter of grave concern that railway tracks are not being properly maintained. A track fracture is suspected to be the cause of the derailment of the Indore – Patna Express and old ICF coaches add insult to injury. The irony is that while the Ahmedabad – Mumbai, bullet train project will cost Rs. One Lakh Crore, financial constraints hinder track renewal, replacement of coaches and modernisation of signalling systems of Indian Railways. Then, why on earth must we bite the bullet to buy bullet trains? Is our democracy of the political leaders, by the poor voters and for the super rich? Is it not it criminal negligence on the part of the Indian Railways to compromise on safety standards?
Yours etc.,
Sujit De, Kolkata
Hawkers must be given their space
Editor,
I for one have no personal vendetta against my fellow human beings who are working hard to earn two square meals a day though I have often felt the discomfort and the inconvenienced caused by the hawkers as they spread their wares just about anywhere. Thereby the honourable High Court’s verdict is appreciated. Having said that, I wish to state that as much as it is essential to ease the movement of pedestrians and commuters on footpaths and sidewalks, it is equally essential to provide the hawkers with an assigned space. This must be done with immediate effect.
Interestingly, the roads, footpaths, nooks and corners and every open space were steered clear of hawkers as soon a the verdict was made by the High Court with stray cases here and there. In spite of that, it must be reminded that the government can no longer have a lackadaisical and nonchalant attitude here. Much like everyone else the hawkers have the right to work for their bread and butter in a place that they can stake claim to and do business without any disturbance from any sphere while at the same time not disturbing others as well.
With regards to the sites and zones identified by the committee, it must be taken into deep consideration that people are facing a lot of hardships and hassles in finding a place to park their vehicles. As of now, the MUDA parking lot and the parking space opposite State Bank of India are places that are accommodating a number of vehicles yet many more such parking places are required considering the number of vehicles that are plying on the road daily. I wonder if it would be wise to convert these parking zones into hawkers zone. Perhaps other places within the area that have not been of used for decades now could be explored. Like I said, to ease the convenience of one the other must not be placed in inconveniences.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email