Student-teacher ratio

APROPOS of the editorial ‘Sorry state of schools’ (Jan 17), it is really disturbing that there is only one teacher for 600 students. We talk of building a $5-trillion economy sans teachers and guides. This is an obvious case of diversion of funds. The state doesn’t have money to appoint teachers but has plenty to buy Innovas and fuel for cavalcades. State governments divert funds to hoodwink the public to secure vote banks. The biggest scam is to use money earmarked for education for some ludicrous purpose. Education plays a great role in a nation’s progress and development. It is important for one’s maturity, personality and character. The government should immediately appoint teachers on all vacant posts. Alexander the Great had rightly said: ‘I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.’

AK Joshi, Amritsar

Replicate Delhi model

Refer to ‘Sorry state of schools’ (Jan 17); sincere policies to provide good school education to all, a prerequisite for the uplift of society, were visible for just a couple of decades after Independence. Now, education remains a priority only on paper, except perhaps what is being, reportedly, done by the AAP in Delhi. Both Punjab and Haryana should replicate the model.

HL Sharma, Amritsar

Beyond belief

Recently, following in the footsteps of many BJP leaders and in consonance with the party’s ideology, Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that Arjuna’s arrows had atomic power and ‘udan khatolas’ existed during the time of the Ramayana. It seems currently there is one-upmanship among various leaders to make such ridiculous, illogical and bizarre statements. In the past, Tripura CM Biplab Deb and UP Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma also gave unscientific interpretation to our mythology. Sharma said Sita was a test-tube baby and as per Deb, the Internet existed during the time of Mahabharata. They are leaving no stone unturned to make India a laughing stock. As per Article 51-A of our Constitution, it is the fundamental duty of all citizens to develop a scientific temper. The way our leaders are playing with the religious emotions of the gullible, it reminds one of an Urdu couplet, ‘Barbaad gulistan karney ko bas ek hi ullu kafi hai/Har shakh pe ullu baitha hai, anjam-e-gulistan kya hoga’.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

Misleading statement

Apropos of ‘Arjuna’s arrow had atomic power: WB Guv’ (Jan 16), atomic power came to be known to mankind only in the early 20th century. It led to the development of the atomic bomb in 1942. How can one believe that it was used in pre-historic times? Assigning it to an epic is highly uncalled for. There is no point in misleading the public.

Vidwan Singh Soni, Patiala

They played foul

The SIT report is a stinging slap on the face of law enforcement agencies — the police, the administration and the judiciary — which entered into a criminal conspiracy to protect the alleged perpetrators from the long arm of the law (editorial ‘Justice delayed, denied’; Jan 17). Instead of functioning independently, they succumb to the whims of their political masters in promoting their ulterior motives. In a mature democracy, public servants are held accountable for the abuse of powers, and political culture is not allowed to undermine the justice delivery system. The ruling dispensation should take action against those guilty and ensure that the law enforcement agencies are kept free from political interference.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

Middle path on CAA

Reference to ‘IUML moves SC for stay on new Act’ (Jan 17); the apex court has already before it some pleas filed earlier. A quick decision would be desirable. CAA is neither all black nor all white. All parties are guilty of pandering to their vote bank. Consolidation of votes, one way or other, is an essential feature of democracy to prevent fractured verdicts leading to unwieldy coalitions. CAA would provide citizenship to Hindus who were persecuted and fled to India. Nothing wrong in it. But persecuted Muslims, too, migrated to India. Will CAA send them back? Is it possible to identify genuine Muslim migrants and bring them under the ambit of CAA? Solution lies in finding a middle path.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR

Ball in Imran’s court

Refer to ‘India to invite Imran for SCO meet’ (Jan 17); India will host the annual meeting of the council of heads of government of SCO. The announcement to invite Pakistan PM has come in the midst of frayed ties between the two countries. It is a positive development. Now, it depends on Imran Khan whether he accepts the invitation or sends a representative.

Janvi srivastava, New Delhi

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