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India should be wary of the US policy

The US President, Mr Barack Obama’s distinction between the ‘Good Taliban’ and the ‘Bad Taliban’ (H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial, “Americans commit blunders, not mistakes”, March 10) may be just an experiment but does not behove a statesman. His avowed policy to fight terrorism appears all set to be defeated. Apparently, he has not learnt any lessons from his predecessor’s misadventures.

Mr Obama can afford the luxury of distinguishing between the ‘Good Taliban’ and the ‘Bad Taliban’. But India cannot. India has been facing the heat of cross-border terrorism for long. The rising power of Taliban is dangerous. Mr Obama seems to be unaware of the consequences of Taliban coming into power.

PUNEET GARG, Hisar

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The US wants to keep other nations under its thumb. India should be wary and always be on guard as it has suffered at the hands of terror. The recent statement of Mr Obama delineating Taliban as good and bad should not be dismissed lightly.

This sudden U-turn of Mr Obama’s administration, which promised stringent action against terrorists, has more than baffled people across the globe. But India is directly affected by it. In the wake of the recent attacks in Mumbai, the emergence of Taliban in Pakistan is bad news. The US encouragement of Taliban cannot be in the best interest of India. This is not a US blunder. But it is a well thought-out ploy with grave implications for India.

GEHNA VAISHNAVI, Chandigarh

Brutal ragging

The editorial, “Murder, not ragging – Exemplary punishment to the guilty is called for”, (March 11) was illustrative and thought provoking. The death of Aman Kachroo, a first-year student of Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, due to brutal beating by his seniors has sent a shock wave throughout the country. It is all the more disturbing that Aman did not get a proper medical treatment for nearly 24 hours, that too in an institution where he was a student.

Had the college administration acted swiftly, his life could have been saved. Had the college administration taken the Supreme Court ban on ragging seriously and implemented it in letter and spirit, the fatal mishap could have been averted. The Medical Council of India should suspend the recognition of the college. At least, for the next two or three years, no fresh admissions should be allowed. Criminal proceedings should also be initiated against the college management.

DP JINDAL, Mandi Gobindgarh

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Despite the law, the menace of ragging has not been curbed so far. No serious action was taken against the senior students by the college authorities. In fact, the ragging brigade is only afraid of the college authorities. If the college administration exercises proper vigilance and caution, then senior students may not dare indulge in this heinous crime.

So, it is paramount that some action is taken against the authorities of the educational institutions too. A deterrent action against a few can undoubtedly serve as a cue for others.

G D GUPTA, Advocate Jagadhri

Voters matter

The Tribune deserves congratulations for awakening the electorate from their deep slumber. In fact, a very cautious and a fervent appeal has been made to the voters to exercise their franchise. Voting in favour of a corrupt and dishonest candidate means embracing an incurable cancer for the next five years.

Undoubtedly, at present our country is confronted with massive problems at home, in the neighbourhood and abroad. Only those leaders who are honest and capable can lead the nation on the path of prosperity. To curb corruption and nepotism, the Election Commission should play a vital role. The Election Commission can make recommendations to the government for enacting laws that would debar leaders with criminal record from contesting elections.

PROF PK SHARMA, Jagraon

Medical education on sale The news-report “Doctors moonlighting in South India” (March 6) by Chitleen K Sethi was an eye-opener. Perhaps, this exposé only revealed the tip of iceberg. The conditions of private medical colleges in North India under deemed university status are far worse. About 95 per cent of the teaching staff in these colleges are among the visiting faculty and come to the college only at the time of inspection by the Medical Council of India. The deemed universities often have more postgraduate seats than the government medical colleges and yet have no regular teaching faculty. There are hardly any patients either. But the records are manipulated and everything appears fine on record. On the inspection day, poor persons are paid money to fill beds in the wards and meet the requirements of the Medical Council of India. The so-called deemed universities sell undergraduate and postgraduate seats. The entrance examinations are only a farce. There is complete commercialisation of medical education. The media should highlight the mess prevalent in medical education and create awareness among the masses. ANIL KUMAR AGGARWAL, Ambala Cantt