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

Fulminations of Mayawati are condemnable

It is a matter of utter shame that Ms Mayawati has called the father of the nation a “natakbaz”. She has even distributed pamphlets condemning him and Mr Rahul Gandhi for being “insincere about the improvement in socio-economic status of Dalits” (editorial, “Mayawati again: Election results seem to have rattled her”, June 17).

Certainly, Ms Mayawati appears to be frustrated as her aspiration to become Prime Minister has been dashed to the ground. She was under the false impression that she would win by a huge margin and her victory would give her a bargaining edge.

However, the voters of today are very mature and can differentiate right from wrong. Politicians cannot befool them by playing the card of region, caste or religion. Whatever may be her reasons for the outburst the “fulminations of the angry lady from Uttar Pradesh” against the Mahatma are unwarranted and condemnable.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor, neatly hand-written or typed in double space, should not exceed the 150-word limit. These can be sent by post to the Letters Editor, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030. Letters can also be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com

— Editor-in-Chief

It does not behove a person who aspires to be Prime Minister of the nation to use derogatory language against the father of the nation. It seems that she has been baffled by the defeat of her party in the recent Lok Sabha elections. While her social engineering formula did not work, her style of functioning with undue stress on wasteful expenditure also did not go down well with the voters.

She must bear in mind that she will have to shun her attitude of confrontation and should adopt a conciliatory approach.

HARBANS SINGH CHOPRA, S A S.Nagar

Hate virus

The increasing hate attacks on Indian students in Australia are very disturbing. The Foreign Ministry’s oft-repeated routine statements assuring protection are hollow in the absence of concrete and effective steps. Sadly, the hate virus is showing its presence in other nations too.

Many going abroad on study visa are job seekers and are not interested in higher education. They fall prey to unscrupulous travel agents who promise them permanent residence and employment. Otherwise, educational facilities in India are comparable to any other foreign university. If, however, education in educational institutions in India is lagging behind, the HRD Ministry must take corrective action.

S D BALI, Chandigarh

Rote learning stifles creativity
The editorial “Say no to rote” (June 15) was timely. It brought forth the sterling point that “education must focus upon real learning”. Sadly, students are compelled to mug and cram with little emphasis on problem solving. It is heartening that the new HRD Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, has declared that cramming would have no place in education. He has also promised to do to the Indian education what Dr Manmohan Singh has done to the Indian economy.
Undeniably, the Indian education system needs a significant change, rather a complete overhaul. Actually, the exam-driven education system puts undue pressure and creates anxiety among students. Besides, it also saps critical thinking and stifles creativity.
Education is not merely the amount of information that is put into the brain but how well it can be analysed. We must focus upon character building and assimilation of ideas. Even if one internalises few good ideas one can be called educated.
Responsible citizens should be able to think for themselves and communicate their thought to others. In the modern world of science and technology, there is a danger that specialists may lose sight of human obligations. Education must prepare students for a balanced perspective of life.
Prof VIJAY SHEEL JAIN, Ludhiana