Conserving water

Apropos of ‘Summer woes’, the fast-expanding cities in India face a grave water risk, the vulnerability being enhanced by the effects of climate change. Robust city-specific water management plans must be made by municipal bodies. The implementation of the model building bylaws that mandate rainwater harvesting structures for residential buildings should be ensured. There should be comprehensive policy on the use of grey water for non-potable purposes. Water storage structures should be desilted and encroachment on wetlands should be removed. Also, afforestation drives are needed to prevent stormwater run-off.

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Prateek Bansal, by mail

Fight for POWs

It is painful that even after more than 50 years, the government has not been able to do justice to the families of prisoners of war (‘SC notice to Centre on petition seeking repatriation of POWs’). Many governments changed during this period but without any tangible results. It is a long-pending issue and affects not just the families, but the entire country. The families have been repeatedly knocking the doors of the authorities concerned to know about the whereabouts of the POWs and their release. Pakistan has denied their presence, which is untrue. The SC has given three weeks’ time to the Centre to respond. The nation shall eagerly await the clear directions. It is the responsibility of the government to assure aspirants to the armed forces that it cares.

GS MANN, NAYA NANGAL

Who will it benefit?

Refer to the UGC offering two courses simultaneously, we often hear that one should not ride on two boats. Before this, the UGC recommenced specialisation in any one specific course. A student can now be a doctor and an engineer. Students will have to pay fees for two courses. The primary question is not whether a student will be able to learn something or not, but whether the UGC wants to increase the education quality or the income of institutes!

Harwinder Longowal, Kurukshetra

Education reforms

Apropos of ‘Education is about skills and self-awareness’, the prevailing system of education, dependent on prescriptions, tight syllabus and emphatic tone on competitions, has been questioned. But in the present scenario of global education, which is not contented with soft skills and self-awareness, is of great consequence in the learning process. The NEP says, ‘Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable, and just society, and promoting national development.’ There is an obvious reference to social cohesion and economic development. This aim of education can also not be read in its isolation without referring to targets under Global Goals, also termed as Sustainable Development Goals by UNICEF, which mostly emphasise social and economic uplift. However, the value of soft skills leading to self-awareness cannot be denied. Instilling such values depends much upon the parents and teachers. There is a great need for a pedagogical shift, in a manner that ensures creative thinking and other relevant skills in teaching, in consonance with social and economic needs.

S KUMAR, PANCHKULA

Voice of the voiceless

Ambedkar has immortalised himself by espousing the cause of the deprived. The celebration of his jayanti will serve its real purpose only when his cherished ideals are appreciated and executed in right earnest. The blackest spot on our culture is the detestable slot allotted to the Dalits in the caste hierarchy, the bane of our social order. Moreover, casteism is an economic proposition. A casteless and classless society, as envisioned by Ambedkar, is still a pipedream. Growing economic disparity is reflective of crony capitalism. Rather than providing gainful employment, the government wants to keep the masses at the subsistence level by distributing freebies and subsidised or free ration. We may celebrate his jayanti with great fanfare, but his ideals of economic emancipation and social equality and justice are not given the attention they deserve.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Taming inflation

Refer to ‘BJP blames price rise on Covid pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war’; while Union minister Piyush Goyal has blamed the global situation and the pandemic for price rise, but what prevents the Centre from bringing various petro-products under the GST regime, even as the Modi-led NDA government currently rules over most states? Since the price rise could always be attributed to the recent hike in the retail prices of both petrol and diesel, the government is expected to announce some reasonable reduction in Central excise duty and come to the immediate rescue of the end users. The retail inflation went up by 6.75% during March, surpassing even the RBI’s targeted inflation level of 4-6%.

Kumar Gupt, New Delhi

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