M A I L B A G

Need to review CBSE science curriculum

IN the Central Board of Secondary Education’s science curriculum for classes X, XI and XII, students will have to undertake projects in practicals. For projects such as water pump system, fire alarm, sound alarm, AC to DC and DC to AC, cordless circuits, cordless bell, parents and their wards have to run from pillar to post to get the already prepared projects from the electronics markets in Sectors 18 and 35 in Chandigarh. The mechanics take full advantage of the helplessness of the students and charge hefty prices for the projects.

This problem is not confined to Chandigarh alone but endemic everywhere in the country. The class teachers refer students to particular shopkeepers with some printed list of electronic components. These kits are readily available. And what do the students get after all the trouble? Hardly two or three out of five marks allotted to the project!

VIJAY SHARMA, Chandigarh

The beauty of giving AS a newly married couple, we were posted at Dinjan, a remote town in Assam. Understandably, we were not very excited about the move to such a distant place. However, on reaching Dinjan we realised that it was quite a scenically beautiful township. We soon settled down to our normal routine. We employed a Bengali widow, Basanti, to do our household work. Over a period of time, Basanti started coming with her 8-year-old daughter, Charu, who helped her in doing the household chores. This little girl was a very enthusiastic worker. She would go below beds, behind doors and various other nooks and corners to sweep and mop. Washing utensils was like playing an enjoyable game as far as she was concerned. I was quite contended with her work and cheerful attitude. Soon it was Durga Puja time. I decided that I should present a gift to Charu. I bought a shiny pink satin frock for her. Even as I was eagerly looking forward to her wearing it, one fine day, I was surprised to see Charu’s cousin who had come along with her wearing the new pink frock. I could not restrain my curiosity and asked Charu the reason for this. She said: “Aunty, I have four frocks but my cousin has only two old ones, so I gave it to her.” I could not believe the generosity of this small child in parting with her new frock. Charu literally means beauty and this child showed me the real beauty of giving. God bless her. SUNITI KHARBANDA, C/o 56 APO

PUDA bylaws

The Punjab Urban Building By-laws Review Committee has recommended several people-friendly changes in the building by-laws. The general opinion of the members of the committee was to regularise the so-called violations, if done inside the boundary of the plot.

About six years ago, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) had allotted semi-built houses. The house owners, while completing residual construction, made some need-based additions and alterations inside the boundary of the plot. It was objected to by the PUDA on the ground of violation of building by-laws and threatened resumption. The Punjab government, in order to redress genuine grievances of the residents, had formed a 10-member committee to review building by-laws laid down by the PUDA.

The committee made recommendations about eight months ago but notification approving these recommendations is still awaited. Inordinate delay in this report has caused inconvenience to residents. The authorities concerned are requested to implement the recommendations promptly.

R.K. GUPTA, Advocate, Mohali

Delhi police chief

The photograph (Feb 1) showing Dr Krishan Kant Paul adjusting his cap as he was going to take over as New Delhi’s new Police Commissioner, filled my mind with nostalgia. I was the batchmate of both him and his wife Omit (1968 batch of M.Sc Honours School in Chemistry) at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr Paul’s father, Dr R.C. Paul, who headed the Chemistry Department, later rose to become the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University.

I would like to share an incident which reflects Krishan Kant’s leadership qualities, with The Tribune’s readers. Krishan Kant coaxed me to stand for the election of Vice-President of PU Chemical Society (1967-68) against Surinder Sharma, who was very popular not only in the Department but also in the varsity campus because of his art of mimicry (now, of course, he is an established film actor and a varsity faculty member). I was reluctant to contest as I was wary of his popularity. But Krishan Kant bucked me up and assured that we shall make a match of it. He took control of my election campaign and saw to it that ‘We’ won the election comfortably.

Y. PAUL MAKKER, Dean (Science), DAV College, Malout