Govt’s hollow claims
The Moga molestation case has shaken the confidence of the common man in the administrative machinery of the state government. It has proved the hollow claims of the government regarding providing adequate security to women. To some extent, it is the result of non-implementation of Justice JS Verma committee report on the safety of women in public transport vehicles. What to talk of the implementation of the recommendations of this committee in totality, the authorities have not even been able to execute the ban on tinted glasses or black films on window screens in buses. The authorities concerned need to initiate suitable action in this regard at the earliest to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future.
Prof NK Gosain, Bathinda
Education review
Apropos the OPED article, “Faculty crunch affects higher education” (April 29), I fully endorse writers’ AK Sarkar and SK Choudhary submission that colleges and universities are working with half the capacity of the faculty required. In this process, students are worst-affected. Temporary staff recruited every session on contractual basis, and on a meager salary, fails to perform and deliver. They have no sense of belonging and accountability to the institution that hires them. Every session interviews are held and fresh appointments are made on a temporary basis. Even NET, SLET qualified candidates have to wait for a long time to get permanent jobs in the profession. It is high time the government should take measures to reward the academic achievement and excellence with suitable job to improve the quality of higher education. Clear guidelines for recruitment by the government and willingness of college managing committees to fill vacant posts must be ensured to appoint regular teachers in colleges and universities. Finally, onus falls on existing teaching community to address the problem. Constructive orientation by teachers can help students to overcome restricted repertoire of legitimate choices. Abdul Kalam says, “Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently”. We don't need to teach a new concept everyday but we can teach the same concept in a new way which brings all the difference and inculcate in young generation a passion for teaching.
Ritu Kamra Kumar, Yamunanagar
Quality in education
The term ‘quality’ is a much used and least understood term. The present higher education system has produced degree holders, but failed to develop general employability skills needed in an employee. The research and teaching at Indian universities is far below than international standards. The various regulatory bodies have constituted autonomous bodies for monitoring quality standards under their purview e.g, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) by the All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) etc. But, the quality norms of such councils are not comparable with international standards and the enforcement process is not stringent. The rising demand for higher education and the shortage of faculty lead to inevitable trade-off between quality and quantity. Unless quality and quantity of higher education institutions are enhanced, it seems to be a Herculean task for Indian academics/professionals to compete with rest of the world.
SURAJ WALIA, Kaithal
Healthcare seeks attention
Apropos the news report, “Mental healthcare comes under NHRC lens” (April 23), the Supreme Court appointed S Jaljia on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to submit a status report on mental healthcare in Himachal Pradesh. The services for mental healthcare are inadequate. The state, which has a population of more than 60 lakh, has only 90 beds. There are four OPD services by the government and five private clinics run by psychiatrists at Nagrota, Palampur, Hamirpur, Chamba and Una. There are only 10
psychiatrists and no clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and psychiatric social workers in the state. While there are no rehabilitation services, only two district mental health programmes (DMHP) are running in Bilaspur and Kangra. There is no proper study on mental healthcare. Even the funds raised by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) are unutilised.
Dr Amitranjan Basu, Shimla
Need agri policy
This is in reference to the editorial “Beware the coward” (May 1). It is a fact that the Opposition and other parties are shedding crocodile tears and playing politics to find faults in the ruling party and garner sympathy of farmers in the hope of votes for the future. There has been neglect of agro-based industries and allied services resulting in marginal and negative growth in some of the states. Even the present government has not come out with any concrete vision and policy for the development of rural economy. The government needs to frame an agriculture policy to increase the growth rate of agriculture and allied activities to generate rural employment. What we need is an all-inclusive development model for agriculture, industry, trade and services that is equitable and takes care of both rural and urban householders. Protests by the Opposition in favour of the victims to earn goodwill are an integral part of democracy and have helped to sensitise the government but they should also make pragmatic suggestions and help the ruling party to find out long-term solutions to complex problems. A suicide is always a result of unbearable desperation and pain of an individual and neither a fancy nor willful act, blaming and mocking of victims and calling them coward and criminals by a minister is a shameful act to be condemned in strongest words. The families of victims deserve every help. The unconditional public apology should be tendered by Haryana Minister Om Prakash Dhankar.
MANGA RAMA, Faridabad
Rethink decision
Apropos the news item, "Centre gives Mufti free hand to tackle J-K separatists" (April 29), the decision is totally embarrassing. J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is pleasing separatists by praising them and giving them credit for the smooth conduct of elections in the state. He released separatist Masarat Alam who openly raised pro-Pakistan slogans and Pakistan flags in a rally. But one fails to understand why the Central Government has taken this decision. The performance of Mufti as the Chief Minister of J&K is not commendable. The Centre should re-think over its decision.
Dr Ravinder Kwatra, Shahabad Markanda
Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com
