Kargil battle: importance of infantry

IN modern war high-tech weapons of destruction only make the task of infantryman to capture and physically occupy territory and fortifications a shade easier. It is ultimately the infantrymen who have to bear the brunt of the enemy to physically dislodge them and capture and hold ground in spite of the solid support of all others.

The Kargil battle has once again proved this by the high percentage of casualties being suffered by the infantrymen and their young brave officers. There is a greater need of leadership, physical and mental robustness and above all cold courage. All this for the ultimate “Izaat of the Unit”.

In Kosovo Americans and NATO bombarded territories wherein they did not have to capture or defend the area. The importance of infantry in their perception may be on a lower scale but when it comes to taking a decision to employ infantry they think of the casualty rate!

I salute the young officers and the brave infantrymen for their sheer courage against all odds for laying down their lives for the cause.

R.C. KANWAR
Shimla

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Fighting corruption

I read with immense interest Mr M.G. Devasahayam’s scholarly article, “Corruption & communalism: Value-judgement in politics” (The Tribune, July 1) and the write-up “Fighting corruption — Vittal moots three-pronged strategy” (July 1), quoting Central Vigilance Commissioner N. Vittal on the subject. Well, the article as also the report deal with the subject fairly comprehensively.

However, I am rather troubled with a rankling apprehension — vengeful reaction by the well-entrenched evil. For, the post-independence experience of the nation on the subject shows that louder the noise against the evil, wider the tentacles it spreads, as if with a vengeance. The following couplet in Urdu sounds exceedingly pertinent: “Mareez-e-ishaq pe rehmat Khauda ki Marz barhta gaya jun jun dawa ki.”

Looking at the money-oriented value system of society, rooting out the canker from the body-politic seems an impossible task. The best wayout is to completely nationalise the gilded evil — undoubtedly the most flourishing business of the day. The success of the proposed venture may be taken for granted in view of the mighty well-oiled machine available for the purpose. The politician-bureaucrat-businessman axis must, of course, be appointed commission agents on attractive terms for “guaranteed success”.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

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Refresher courses

As per the conditions laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC), college lecturers throughout the country have to attend month-long refresher courses in their respective subjects for placement in senior selection grades. While these courses do not serve any academic purpose, they disrupt the academic sessions of the colleges, thereby causing a loss to the students.

Hardly to these refresher courses contribute to the knowledge of the teacher. Given the present bleak education scenario in our universities, these courses have more or less become a farce. They can best be described as a picnic of a coterie who act as the “resource persons” and deliver crammed, stereo-typed, insipid lectures much to the chagrin and disappointment of the listener.

The funds provided by the UGC for these courses are not judiciously used. In fact, the joke prevalent among privately managed colleges of Haryana is that if any college wishes to make a quick buck, it should organise a refresher course!

If the UGC is really serious about improving the lot of the college teachers and wishes to upgrade their faculties, here are a few suggestions:

1.Instead of subject-based refresher courses, there should be week-long workshops on teaching skills, group learning behaviour, thinking skills, effective communication skills, use of audio-visual aids and general awareness.

2. These workshops should only be held during vacations so that teaching is not disrupted.

3. While it should be compulsory for all teachers to attend such workshops, it should not be linked with the awarding of senior/selection grades.

4. These workshops should be held in the college itself (instead of academic staff colleges or university departments) so as to facilitate its organisation.

With these changes refresher courses can certainly become more refreshing.

SUSHIL KANSAL
Ambala Cantt

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Taxing defence personnel

It’s heartening to note that the country is united behind the defence services who have already sacrificed over 200 of their gallant officers and men. As the battle continues these figures are going to swell.

Most of the families of defence personnel are alone at home hoping and wishing well-being of their loved ones. It is a known fact that most of them have to maintain two or three home establishments i.e. husband at place of duty, wife, parents and children at different places. It’s an additional burden on their family budgets.

Presently individuals and other organisations are busy collecting or donating for Welfare/Defence Fund. Can’t this grateful nation do away with income tax on the meagre salaries of defence personnel? It will be a token of national gratitude towards the men in uniform and their families.

Your newspaper may consider conducting an opinion poll on the subject. I am certain majority of countrymen will favour this. Some may talk about the shortfall in national revenue. Well, the rest of the country may share the burden by increasing their rates of income tax by a fraction. I am certain that the country can do this much for their brethren in uniform.

Kim Gill
Faridkot