True patriotism

Refer to ‘The deshbhakti curriculum’; hyper-nationalism being spread through ‘WhatsApp university’ is already harming the ethos of our country. Role models in the form of parents, teachers and leaders need to set an example before children by practicing noble values which would be observed and imbibed by the children. Simply reciting Vande Mataram or Saare jahan se achha doesn’t make a person a patriot, rather sensitising our children right from childhood, not only towards their rights, but also their duties can work wonders. Even simple acts like following traffic rules, maintaining cleanliness at public places, saving water and electricity, conserving flora and fauna can go a long way in establishing the true spirit of patriotism.

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Rashmi Sikri, by mail

Rights and duties

With reference to ‘The deshbhakti curriculum’; Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while giving the nod to the curriculum said we have taught all subjects in the past 70 years, but did not study patriotism. Now, patriotism will be taught in schools. The curriculum should be the core of teaching-learning in every school in India. It is a dynamic process. The Patriotic Curriculum Framework is based on primary goals which will inculcate a sense of pride in students towards their country, create awareness about responsibilities towards the nation, commitment to make sacrifices, and importantly, to make our children aware of the fact that there is something higher and nobler than toxic nationalism. Patriotism should be such that it can keep an eye on the rights and wrongs of the country. Like Delhi, it should be adopted in other states also. For this, it is important that teachers do not suffer from any political prejudices or preferences.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

Need to know more

We should appreciate that our country’s rich philosophy is based on the spiritual ideology of ‘sarvdharm sambhav’ and ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’. The academic curriculum is replete with these teachings since time immemorial. The scepticism about the introduction of ‘deshbhakti’ in school curriculum is unwarranted. The aim of teaching patriotism should be two-fold — to ignite the feeling of pride and also to teach the importance of self-preservation to safeguard the freedom of citizens from external and internal forces. In fact, passing through several generations since independence, the same basic theoretical information about the country is being doled out to students. It comprises information about national symbols, rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution and the major part of history full of facts mainly about one particular dynasty — the Mughals. Such parroting of facts about India may produce merely informed citizens, but the teaching should also inspire them to contribute creatively towards the welfare of the country.

Mukta Agarwal, Faridabad

UN Afghan fiasco

The abject failure of the UN, an organisation of nearly 200 countries, to intervene in Afghanistan, post Taliban takeover, has put a question mark over the role of such world forums. The crisis has led to the gross violation of human rights, with people desperate to flee the country to protect themselves from Taliban oppression. The UNHRC, UNSC, NATO etc, remained a mute spectator to the horrific turn of events in the war-torn nation. The US and its allies’ domination over the UN must be diluted to save the member nations from their selfish dictates. There is need to reinvent the UN, considering the new world order that is threatened by the challenges of expansionism and terrorism.

Anil Vinayak, Amritsar

Get ready for Taliban

Apropos of ‘Taliban takeover may embolden terror groups’, the Taliban will have the backing of Pakistan, radical Islamists and China to undermine India on every front. The West and Russia will no longer come to the rescue of Afghanistan. No other Muslim country is interested in the welfare of the Muslims in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan government showed no resistance to the Taliban takeover. It did not fight for the people. India should prepare itself to face the Taliban and Pakistan.

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

Evacuate them now

Refer to ‘Prioritise evacuation’; India must urgently evacuate Indians stranded in Afghanistan. Young girls, women and children are the most vulnerable. Once our people are out, only then can we think of what relationship we can have with the Taliban dispensation. The new rulers will obviously need finances and investments to run the country and India must continue to reciprocate in ample measure. Trade can continue to prevent any escalation. India and Afghanistan can start a new chapter in history based on common interests, nationalism and autonomy.

Parthasarathy Sen, New Delhi

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