M A I L B A G

Education in a state of flux in Haryana

Higher education in Haryana is at the crossroads. The state government’s initiatives in privatisation, manifold and multilayered, are contemporaneous with a current of self-finance courses and institutions in technical and general education of humanities.

The administrative and academic autonomy of universities like Kurukshetra University, Maharshi Dayanand University, Guru Jambeswar University and Haryana Agricultural University are adversely affected because of the commercial instinct in governance.

Expansion through franchise is on the rise, but there is no direct control on the quality of education in these centres. For instance, Sirsa’s Ch. Devi Lal University has launched its charter to tap the market potential of higher education. Its mode of distance education in M. Phil courses, however, requires introspection.

The ways of 100-odd B.Ed colleges have led to uneasiness and frustration among a large section. Self-finance colleges and courses have made deep inroads in Haryana with insidious convenience. In the B.Ed colleges, there is a nexus between the politically powerful and money-hungry people; most are already in the fray with ‘no profit societies’ and registered as potential or real managers of educational institutions.

This erosion of social responsibility calls for a policy shift. A balanced and diligent approach is a must keeping in view the serious consequences of diversion of higher education from a predominantly state-run sector to an overwhelming private domination. The Higher Education Council must have due representation from academics to save this key area of development from inconsistent bureaucratic maneuvrings.

Dr RAJBIR PARASHAR, English Dept, RKSD College, Kaithal

Fruits of Narmada

The Narmada is the lifeline of millions in MP, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Its total basin area is 97410 sq km, which receives mean rainfall of 112 cm. Hardly 10 per cent of this was utilised earlier and the rest used to flow into the sea unused.

Now, it will irrigate 18 lakh hectares of parched lands of Gujarat, Rajasthan (Badhmer and Jalore districts) and Maharashtra and will quench the thirst of millions in Ran of Katch and Badhmer in Rajasthan where fresh water is a dream. It will provide flood protection to four lakh people in Gujarat’s Bharuch district and will generate electricity.

The benefits will accrue in the form of increased agriculture production, increasing employment opportunities and income of the people and poverty reduction. Now all the state governments concerned should ensure adequate rehabilitation measures to the displaced. Water should be declared a national resource and it should be in the Union List to tackle inter-state river water disputes.

PURAN SINGH, Chandigarh

Crimes against dalits

J. Sri Raman has rightly highlighted the dalits’ plight in the article, “Crime against dalits” (Jan 24). Even after 59 years of Independence, dalits are being treated inhumanely. Their social status did not change despite so many welfare schemes. They are vulnerable to atrocities of various kinds. Their social condition is pathetic even in advanced states like Punjab and Haryana. This despite safeguards under the “Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955” and SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 due to the lack of political will and failure of law enforcing agencies.

The Centre and the states, politicians, social activists should do something positive to help dalits.

RANVIR S. CHAUHAN, Chandigarh

 

Green Revolution II India is an agro-based economy with 80 per cent people depending upon agriculture. But our per acre agriculture production is seven times less than that of Japan and employment is thrice less than that of Japan. If we have to develop, we must first develop our agriculture sector. Then only, the purchasing power will increase, demand will increase and factories will develop. Even after 59 years of Independence, in nine states, floods visit almost every year. To improve agriculture, we should take steps to control floods and improve irrigation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rightly said that “Punjab needs a new green revolution”. As he is a reputed economist, his statements are sincere, credible and carry lot of weight. M.L. SINHA, Banga (Nawanshahr)

In the reverse order

“Half of me thinks I am a loser, the other thinks I am God Almighty”, said John Lonnon, the Beatle.

Imagine! God must be thinking the same (although in the reverse order) looking at what His confidant Bush is doing in Iraq. And in His name!

C.A.L. MAULANGU NATHUKAVU, Mumbai