M A I L B A G

Vision policy needed for India, China

In the light of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to India, I suggest a developmental policy for the entire Himalayan region that calls for modern education, health services, energy management, modern transport, and better social and civic amenities. These are common problems of  traditional societies in the region. The 21st century perspective calls for inclusive human identity, no more exclusive traditional divides based on faith, religion or region. 

I  suggest a Vision 2020 policy. We need joint Indo-China cooperation involving Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, North-Eastern Arunachal and Bhutan — the region where five major rivers and many glaciers, lakes and energy resources of Asia are situated. With a futuristic strategy, an ambitious long-term Vision 2020 of Indo-China joint Himalayan scientific and techno-engineering corporation (project)  may be formed for R&D and management of energy and natural resources in this region.

Hydel power generation, distribution and modern transport facilities, health services and manifold job creation in the underdeveloped  sectors is possible only through engineering work creation. Because of  its  unique topography, development of this area requires collective efforts of both the people and respective governments. 

Mr Hu Jintao knows the potential and the problems of the people of the Himalayan region. His visit, therefore, offers an opportunity to discuss the futuristic cooperative strategy for mutually advantageous development projects. India can propose the constitution of a Joint Regional Technological and Engineering Himalayan (Asian) Development Corporation to our Chinese guest.

DHIRENDRA SHARMA, Director, Centre for Science, Policy Research, Dehradun

Timely decision

Having recognised the climatic changes in the state, the Haryana government has rightly recommended the sowing of wheat from October 25 to November 15. Earlier, the sowing used to start from November 15 onwards. It would be better if the government extends this guideline to sugarcane crops also.

The mills should start their work from the beginning of November second week. While this will help farmers sow wheat in time in old sugarcane fields, it will also increase the crushing season and the mills can increase the sugar output.

AMARJEET SETH, Jadoli, Gharaunda

English teachers

Punjab is the only state where there are no special English teachers to teach English. Though English has been introduced from Standard I even in government schools, social studies teachers continue to teach English. As they never study elective English as a subject, they have only a superficial knowledge of the subject and hence cannot do justice to students.

To raise the standard of English, the Punjab government should immediately appoint English teachers who have studied elective English up to graduation level with teaching of English in B.Ed. Due weightage should be given to candidates who have done BA with English Honours.

If English teachers are not appointed even now, it will cause irreparable loss to the students and the education system.

BALRAJ SINGH, Moga

Wrong angle

This has reference to the advertisement issued by the Director-General Health Services, Haryana, regarding Pulse Polio campaign (Nov 8). The person administering the polio drops (as shown in the picture) is holding the vaccine vial almost at an angle of 90 degrees. This is wrong, as the vial has to be held at an angle of 45 degrees while giving drops.

By doing so, we will be able to minimise the risk of giving more than two drops to a child. And secondly, we will also prevent wastage of polio vaccine.

Dr DHIRAJ SARWAL, Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi

 

Bane of regional parties  Amulya Ganguli’s article, “Small is not beautiful” is a sort of guideline for the present youth who have either joined or are in the process of joining politics. They ought to know the role of regional political parties which are promoting caste and religious prejudices and misguiding the voters for narrow partisan ends. Wherever the states are ruled by a coalition, the regional parties are affecting the normal working of the government. This in turn is hindering development. Most politicians today are sycophants and not statesmen. As a result, the regional parties are neither sympathetic to the voter’s problems nor concerned about public welfare. Instead, these parties amass funds by hook or by crook. They strengthen their nexus with goons and mafia to achieve their objectives. No wonder, we read about scams day in and day out. R.S. TAGGER, Gurdaspur