Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Education
Indeed, education is the most important thing in life. It is the key to success of an individual’s life and the nation. History stands testimony to the fact that no nation has ever progressed or can progress without education.
Undeniably, nations which have attained meteoric rise in every sphere of life have been able to do so because of the importance they have given to education.
If we wish to attain success as an individual and as a nation, we must give education its due place in our roster of national priorities.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
Students induced to drugs
Through column of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw attention of concerned authorities towards alarming rise in use of drugs in students. Students consume drugs, including cigarettes, shisha, opium, and others. According to a survey, three out of every ten university and college students is a drug addict. Students consume drugs because of multiple issues. These include the burden of studies, financial problems, family issues, influence of bad company and many others.
Unfortunately, these numbers are increasing daily because of easy availability of drugs. Students get these drugs from touts of drug dealers working in all universities. These touts are working freely in all universities and colleges. It is challenging to take action against them because influential people back them. Therefore, it is my request to parents of students to keep an eye on their children and concerned authorities should adopt strict measures to control this menace.
ALEENA SHAH
Islamabad
Republic Day
Republic day falls on the 26th of January every year. The reason why Republic Day is important to us is that India got its Constitution on this day. Republic Day is a day for us to celebrate with the hoisting of the national flag, recitation of our national anthem, singing patriotic songs and organising social and cultural events. As Indians, we must also remember the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters who fought bravely for our country’s Independence and pay our due respect to them.
But sadly, after every Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, the country’s national flag is strewn on the pavements and streets and people irrespective of caste, creed, religion or colour keep stamping on them. We should show respect for our country’s national flag, national anthem and national song.
Even when the national anthem is being played on radio or aired on television, people don’t stand still and sing it. They are busy talking on their mobile phones or chatting with their friends.
Independence Day represents the true spirit of independent India and marks the patriotic fervour of all Indians across the country who celebrate this event with great enthusiasm every year. The National Flag is highly respected and any insult to it leads to punishable offense by law. It is the obligation of every Indian citizen to safeguard and protect the National Flag of its dignity and honour.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
M-tag on motorway
After mandatory registration of M-tag for plying vehicles on motorway, queues of unregistered vehicles, that do not possess M-tag, became a normal on toll plazas. According to reports, citizens are facing severe difficulties to get M-tag. Motorway police launched crack down on vehicles without M-tags from entering the motorway.
Queues have formed at M-tag booths making it a hassle for those wanting to arrive at their destinations on time. While talking to the media, Passengers said that there are long queues wherever they go, all the booths of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway are full of rush and it takes 2 to 3 hours to apply for an M-tag.
Passengers said, “Many people are in emergency but are not allowed to pass without M-tag.” However, Motorway authorities said that the main purpose of change is to reduce the time wasted in several kilometres long queues at toll plazas.
MUHAMMAD KAMAL
Rawalpindi
Celebrating Stephen Hawking
Recently Google had honoured the world-famous physicist and cosmologist Stephen William Hawking with flashing a special doodle on him on his birthday. Soon after, I had started recollecting his details. Despite his tough physical disabilities, he had continued his passion for scientific endeavours like cosmology and physics.
Given his life and continued scientific research, this Englishman called Hawking has been a source of inspiration for numerous people from across the globe up till date. Interestingly, I have a senior friend who has been a great admirer of Hawking, often talking about him with full enthusiasm.
In the world today, such inspiring people have been the driving force behind the publication of many books and magazines as millions of books on their achievements have been released from time to time.
A newspaper or schoolbook or magazine or book, writing has always been a source of inspiration and a powerful communication tool. Quite amazingly, I have lavishly been spending time and money buying numerous newspapers, books and magazines – both in Tamil and English including Indian and foreign editions – in my native areas like Kanyakumari.
To inculcate such beautiful habits as reading, speaking and writing, it is time to encourage publishing more and more books. For this, big personalities like Stephen Hawking will always be inspiring. Plus, in this technological world, tech giants like Google should support publishing books through various means like doodles and dough.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Maharashtra, India
