More stress now

Apropos of ‘CBSE’s cosmetic changes’, the decision to do away with merit lists for class X and XII exams is inconsequential as admission to Central universities shall be based on the CUET score. Students will have to now undergo more competition and stress. Coaching centres have started mushrooming for CUET exam. The premise for conducting such an exam was to level the field, but students who can afford coaching classes have an edge. The field remains uneven. Also, the standard of question papers for diverse subjects is comparable to class XII board exams, unlike JEE or NEET. Schools should advise students to zero in on their class XII syllabus — a key to cracking the competitive exam. This shall assuage the anxiety of students and parents.

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Deepak Singhal, Noida

Gangs of Canada

Apropos of ‘Canada a safe haven for wanted criminals’, it is shocking that ‘A’ category gangsters of Punjab, wanted in cases of extortion, loot and murder, are hiding in Canada and operating the nexus using youths of Punjab to settle their scores. The extradition policy of Canada is rigid and the response over the disposal of these cases slow. The Canadian government should take up the matter on priority, as in future it will have to deal with all this. These gangsters are establishing and strengthening drugs and weapons supply. Canada may have to face the consequences someday.

Aparna Rajmohan, Amritsar

Regulate media

The concern expressed by the CJI is genuine, but putting the entire media in a poor light is not right (‘Media running kangaroo courts, weakening democracy, says CJI’). There is some good content too. Those using this platform for vested interests should be barred. Instead of taming such channels, the government is interested only in taming its critics. The ruling dispensation is itself utilising this platform for furthering its agenda. The hope now is judiciary, which should take cognisance and issue necessary directives to the government to ban such channels.

Ravinder Singh, Jalandhar

Fair criticism

Reference to ‘Media running kangaroo courts, weakening democracy, says CJI’; it is a fact that electronic media is hungry for TRPs. News that can satisfy its appetite on a particular day becomes its ‘prey’. At the same time, if judges are acting within judicial parameters and interpreting the law in their judgments, the media shows no interest, however, it makes it a prime time debate if the observations are passion-driven. Fair criticism of the viewpoint expressed in a judicial pronouncement, or of other forms of judicial conduct is consistent with public interest and public good that judges are committed to serve and uphold.

ANIL GANDHI, Faridabad

Tricolour ‘made in China’

Modications in the flag code is a welcome step and should be a part of school curriculum. Allowing only authorised manufacturers for specific sizes and proper dimensions, and making flags available on affordable price for every citizen should be encouraged. Free availability may result in its disrespect, damage or use by anti-social elements. It was a surprise to receive a ‘made in China’ Tricolour when I ordered it online.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

Not a big deal

Refer to ‘The trees of Subedar Singh’; as the Adjutant, upkeep of the Quarter Guard — the mirror of a unit — was my responsibility. We were expecting the GOC. I heard a siren announcing his arrival. As a last-minute checking up, I tried to wipe a small part of a big brass frame which had the Standing Operating Procedure. I had just touched it, when it came crashing down. There was panic, but nothing could be done because in walked the General. The Subedar Major mumbled, ‘Sahib, meri galti se gir gaya, maafi chahta hoon’. The GOC looked at me with a little smile, because he knew the Subedar Major was lying. He later called me and said, ‘Cheer up son, once it happened with me too, when I was the Adjutant of my battalion.’ He knew it, I knew it, his staff officer knew it, that it had never happened with him. Such ethos can only be found in the services.

MAJ GEN SPS NARANG (RETD), NEW DELHI

Doctors in rural areas

‘Improving doctor retention in rural areas’ will not be easy for the government. To encourage doctors to serve in villages, the foremost prerequisite must be sufficient provision of medicines and well-equipped labs. Rural doctors are cut off from the latest research in medical field. They should be given extra financial benefits and guaranteed admission to specialised courses after rural service of a specified duration. All village health centres should have proper residential facilities for the doctors and paramedical staff.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

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