L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

US policy is guided by self-interest

Kuldip Nayar’s article “US aid to Pakistan” (June 16) was objective and analytical. He is right in asserting that the US administrations have always been guided by their own self-interest while dealing with India. Hence, the distance between the Indian government and the US administration is now growing.

Secondly, the US behaves like the mightiest power in the world and wants India to accept its pressure for solving its problems with Pakistan. India must be aware of the fact that the US has always used Pakistan and made it dependent on the US aid. Now, Pakistan is left with no choice but to survive on the US aid.  At the same time, India must be careful while dealing with Pakistan as well as the US.

AMAR THAKUR, London

Deemed universities

The decision of the HRD Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, to review the recognition (news report- “Fate of 125 deemed varsities hangs in balance” by Aditi Tandon, June 12) of 125 deemed varsities is timely and appreciable. In fact, recognition to such institutions was given in haste by the then HRD Minister, Mr Arjun Singh.

If quality of education is our concern, there should be a thorough review of these deemed universities. Due to low quality of education in the country, the educational institutions are producing only degree holders and not genuine scholars. The privately managed universities must be strictly monitored as most of them are awarding degrees without ensuring proper attainment of knowledge. Such institutions should not be allowed to become degree-selling shops.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Medical negligence

By and large, the doctors have become greedy and prescribe operations and medicines without bothering as to whether these are really needed. All of us have invariably suffered at one time or the other at the hands of insensitive and unscrupulous doctors. The medical profession is turning into a commercial enterprise. Medical negligence cannot be condoned. Only prosecution of doctors who are at fault can bring about a change in the medical profession.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

BJP in a fix

Indeed, (“ BJP in a fix” by S Nihal Singh, June16) presently the BJP is sailing in rough waters and the top leadership is at their wit’s end.  

In the age of rationalism and scientific temper, the parochial and medieval slogans are losing significance. The BJP must embark on a new route. Healthy opposition is essential in a democracy. The BJP needs to work with a national perspective.

B M SINGH, Amritsar

Zero tolerance to corruption a must Governance reforms are most crucial. In the editorials “Slow and painful” (June 6) and “Ending cronyism” (June 11), you have rightly decried that “even in the 21st century, administrative attitude remains colonial.” The nexus with politicians has made matters worse. Unless the civil servants realise that they are “public servants” and come out of the “Raja-praja” colonial mould, governance reform would be a chimera. Reforms call for a strong political will and a Civil Services Bill , 2009, envisages an enforceable code of conduct for all bureaucrats.. Let us see if it can improve the delivery system for the aam admi. The need of the hour is zero tolerance to corruption. Governance reforms would continue to be ineffective and incomplete unless effective police reforms take place. Moreover, the RTI Commission should be freed from the stranglehold of retired bureaucrats. Last but no the least, poll reforms have assumed great importance. The role of money power in elections has to be countered effectively and the country should adopt a policy of zero-tolerance towards the menace of muscle power and criminalisation of politics. It is shocking to learn that the number of MPs facing criminal charges has gone up from 128 in the 14th Lok Sabha to 153 in the 15th Lok Sabha and one MP is involved in 67 cases. The politician-criminal nexus needs to be broken. Dr PREM KUMAR DAHIYA, Rohtak