India must ward off nuclear threat cautiously

Apropos of ‘The nuclear bogey is here to stay’; the clouds of a nuclear conflict that loom over the India-Pakistan conflict are for real. Despite the ceasefire, the risk of escalation remains and cannot be ignored. India’s firm stance against nuclear blackmail underscores a significant shift, but it also raises the stakes in an already tense situation. Moreover, while fortifying conventional defences is crucial, India should continue to engage in cautious diplomacy to prevent any accidental escalation. As the consequences of a nuclear conflict would be catastrophic for the entire region, prudent steps are essential to maintain peace and stability.

Amarjeet Mann, Una

Lessons from Hiroshima-Nagasaki

Apropos of ‘The nuclear bogey is here to stay’; the world has still not been able to erase the memory of the bombing of Japanese towns Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, with over 166,000 deaths reported in Hiroshima alone. Since then, wars have been limited to conventional arsenals sans the nuclear trigger. If the nuclear button is pressed in today’s times, it would be a thousand times deadlier than the atomic bomb that destroyed two towns. Albert Einstein had warned, “I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones”. It suggests that humanity will return to primitive forms of warfare after the devastation caused by previous wars.

BM Singh, Amritsar

Experience of courts necessary

The SC decision to restore the precondition of three years of legal practice for entry into judicial service is practical and much-needed. Besides knowledge of law, a newly appointed judge must be aware of the nuances of court proceedings that can only be acquired by being a part of the system. On-ground experience helps candidates understand the dynamics of court proceedings, legal processes and litigation. This helps them in gaining adequate practical knowledge and maturity, which are necessary for becoming an efficient judge.

Shakti Singh, Karnal

Jolt to some judicial aspirants

The three-year precondition of legal practice will be a great setback for final-year LLB students and fresh graduates looking for a career in the judicial service. Many aspirants take up law just to become a judge and now the three-year wait will be an added disadvantage, although prior experience at the Bar was a prerequisite earlier also. On the other hand, the step will prove to be beneficial in the long run. Immature judges, despite having qualified through the competitive examination, are just novices in the eyes of senior advocates. Experience at the Bar will certainly prove to be helpful for the profession.

Deepak Taak, Panchkula

Taming illegal travel agents

Refer to ‘Agents in the dock’; amidst the US clampdown on Indian travel agents facilitating illegal immigration, it’s imperative for the Indian government to streamline the immigration regulatory system. There is an urgent need to effectively rein in travel agents who make big bucks by cheating people. The long-term solution is to address the root causes of immigration — unemployment, societal and peer pressure. Agriculture should be made remunerative and attractive. Our desperate youth need to be assured that there are enough avenues within the country for both skilled and unskilled workers. Hopefully, illegal immigrants being handcuffed and deported back would act as a deterrent. Those wishing to settle abroad must adopt only legal and dignified immigration routes.

Ravi Sharma, Dhariwal

Search for greener pastures

Refer to ‘Agents in the dock’; why have the government and the people of the country not analysed the reasons for immigration? Young people with high-level degrees also prefer to migrate and then do menial jobs abroad. The absence of a good work culture, health facilities, social security and safe living conditions leads to a search for greener pastures for a better quality of life. Agents misguide them by showing them a rosy picture of life abroad.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (Retd), Mohali

Letters to the Editor