M A I L B A G

Disturbing job scenario

This refers to the disturbing job scenario highlighted by Mr D.R. Chaudhary in “Creating jobs in Haryana” (Dec. 12). There can’t be two opinions on the premise that the problem must be viewed holistically in the larger context of socio-cultural and economic paradigms as well as the impact of globalisation on Haryana and the country as a whole.

But the moot point left unaddressed by Mr Chaudhary is of an alternative at this juncture when the political class, unfortunately both ruling and opposition, has neither any vision nor sincerity. Experience of replacing one individual by another and getting from among the same lot turn by turn has proved disappointing.

I think progressive forces of all hues should come together and strive to mobilise various sections of people on a positive agenda. This group will have to discharge the role of real opposition.

INDERJIT SINGH, Rohtak

Degenerated polity

Apropos of the article “India’s degenerated polity” by Mr Inder Malhotra, (Dec 11) there is no doubt that Judeo and Jogi tellingly speak of the degenerating polity of India at the present time. These two persons of the BJP and the Congress symbolise the scourge in our democracy. The fact is that the diabolical element in both the parties has dragged our democracy through the mud.

Jogi and Judeo have made a show of honesty, whereas they have plundered the polity.

But at the same time, we should know that our democracy does not lack the necessary resilience to conquer such elements. What is required at the present juncture is that all the right minded persons in both the parties should launch their campaign to fight such persons and restore our polity to the pinnacle of its democratic pattern.

HANS RAJ JAIN, Moga

Quality of education

This is with reference to Mr Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s article on “Competitive exam Mania”, in which very rightly he analyses the system of competitive examinations in India and then compares it to the American academic system.

In the Indian system we have totally lost the sanctity of our university education because every future course of study is based on the performance of competitive examinations. There are a large number of cases where a 10+2 student preparing for IIT will not perform well in his regular course and get compartment in one or two main subjects. That is why students have started ignoring the school, college and university level of teaching. They do not even bother to attend the required number of lectures.

Dr SWARANLATA, Univ. College, Rohtak

Saddam in soup

The capture of deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has provided a timely twist to Iraqi imbroglio. Something appears fishy as only two weeks earlier, a War Crimes Tribunal was constituted in Iraq. The status of such a tribunal is that of a kangaroo court created at the behest of the occupying forces. Moreover, the US has so far blocked the formation of the international War Crimes Council fearing that it may involve Americans creating war-like conditions unilaterally without exhausting international legal channels.

Yet, the hattrick Uncle Sam has performed needs close scrutiny. Despite American blitzkreig and brutalities in Iraq, the situation is getting out of control. Casualities of occupying forces are mounting causing concern to Bush and Blair. The fact that Saddam has not been eliminated like his sons speaks volumes that Saddam in custody may help President Bush to salvage the situation out of the mess he has created in Iraq.

SUKHDEV SINGH SOHAL, GND University, Amritsar

Women’s lot

The editorial “Women on top” (Dec 6) has much for our recently elected women chief ministers to chew, swallow and digest. Ms Sheila Dikshit, Ms Uma Bharati and Ms Vasundhra Raje have a lot to do for women. Delhi is the most unsafe city for women. In 2002, 266 women were raped there. In MP, 2,256 rapes were reported. Rajasthan is locked in superstition and lawlessness. Bhanwari Devi had gone to a Rajasthan village to stop a child marriage. She was gang-raped. Dowry deaths are a routine affair in Rajasthan.

The World Health Organisation says a woman is raped in India every 54 minutes. According to the National Crime Bureau, the number of rape cases in India increased from 15,468 in 1999 to 16,496 in 2000. But only 10 per cent cases of rape are reported. The National Commission for Women (NCW) received, between April 2001 and March 2002, 741 complaints of sexual crimes against women from Delhi alone. Besides rape, sexual harassment at the workplace, eve-teasing, outrage of modesty are some of the other crimes that women face. All this needs to be dealt with sternly.

S.S. JAIN, Chandigarh