Red-letter day

Religious fervour was palpable across the country over the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. The mega event, with its extensive coverage and the presence of the who’s who of the country, has made January 22 a red-letter day in India’s history. On January 26, India will celebrate the anniversary of becoming a democratic republic. Subsequently, January 30 marks the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, a fervent devotee of Lord Ram; ‘Ram’ was the last word he uttered before dying. The course of Indian democracy will depend on the takeaways for our young minds from these significant dates in January.

Hira Sharma, by mail

Expedite dam construction

Refer to ‘Weather warfare’; the Defence Minister’s concerns about China’s manipulation of weather are rooted in the opaque nature of its activities. However, just because Beijing demonstrated the ability to influence weather on a limited scale during the 2022 Winter Olympics doesn’t necessarily imply the capability to weaponise weather entirely. Its history of cloud seeding spans over six decades, and if it truly had the capability to control weather elements, it would not experience natural calamities every year. Instead of indulging in unwarranted speculation, India should accelerate the construction of hydroelectric dams in Arunachal Pradesh to mitigate the threat of floods in both Arunachal and Assam.

Chanchal S Mann, Una

Will exacerbate stress

Refer to ‘Biannual exams’; a recent survey has revealed a distressing state of affairs regarding education in rural India. Most students in the age group of 14-16 years not only struggle to read and write sentences in English correctly but also face challenges in reading books in the regional language for Class II students. This does not bode well for the future of the country. While the CBSE’s decision to hold examinations for Classes X and XII twice a year might seem like an appropriate step in theory, it may actually exacerbate students’ stress instead of providing relief. Parents may force children to try again and improve their scores.

Roshan Lal Goel, ladwa

Second chance

It is a matter of great satisfaction that the Central Board of Secondary Education has taken the lead in making a provision for holding exams for Classes X and XII twice a year from the 2024-25 academic session. Students who are not satisfied with their marks can avail a second chance after three months, and this would be considered their final result. This system is expected to be helpful, as some students resort to drastic measures if they receive poor marks, leading to tragic outcomes. The success of this overhaul in school education will depend on its ability to achieve its objectives.

Subhash C Taneja, Gurugram

End mindless killings

Refer to ‘Jaishankar pitches for sustainable solution to Israel-Palestine conflict’; India needs to play a proactive role rather than just issuing statements. The toll in Gaza has surpassed 25,000. While Israel’s pain and anger over the attack by Hamas may be justifiable, it is crucial to bring an end to the war. The nearly two-year-old Russia-Ukraine war, which has seen massive destruction and loss of lives, also warrants a resolution. Although a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict is frequently mentioned by India, it needs to be pursued seriously.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), Jalandhar

Use water judiciously

Refer to ‘Multi-pronged strategy needed to conserve groundwater’; it is deeply disturbing to learn from a recent UN report that 27 out of 31 aquifers in the country are depleting faster than they can be replenished. The criticality and significance of water become apparent when taps run dry at home even for a few hours. Survival without water is impossible. The ground situation is indeed grim, with the water table gradually decreasing, posing a threat to water availability across all regions in the country. The exploitation of natural resources, such as glaciers and rivers, has contributed to this crisis. It is imperative to use water judiciously. Recycling sewage and industrial effluents is the need of the hour.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

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