L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Pathetic state of Haryana universities

This has reference to D. R. Chaudhry's article 'Decline of Haryana universities' (August 13). He deserves appreciation for his scholastic evaluation. But his information about research on khap panchayats in the universities of Haryana is partly true because a major research project on Khap Panchayat commissioned by the UGC is going on at Ch Devi Lal University, Sirsa, and it is being undertaken by me.

The other issues of autonomy, absence of breathing space for dissenting views, appointment and removal of V-Cs on political considerations, discussions devoid of fairness in the academic bodies and recruiting mediocre teaching faculties are some of the major factors which are solely responsible for the falling standards of teaching, research and extension which, at present, has reached the lowest ebb. Teachers appointed on extraneous considerations form the gaggles when they enter the university. As they are least concerned about quality research and freedom of thought and expression, they try to gag the free discourse in academic council and executive council meetings in connivance with vested interests. In the long run, a coterie hovering around the office of the Vice-Chancellor to please him for parochial and narrow motives emerges which sidelines honest, creative and innovative teachers. This prevailing practice steadily attains a form of standard culture in almost all state universities. Resultantly, tolerance, humanism, objectivity, merit, equity and reward for immaculate performance are sacrificed and students and society become the ultimate sufferers.

DR RAJKUMAR SIWACH, Sirsa

Saving trees

This has reference to the news item 'RS passes new Companies Bill' (August 9). At present, it is mandatory to send copies of the company annual reports to all the shareholders. Normally, these go to the dustbin or to the waste paper shopkeeper. A lot many trees can be saved if an amendment is incorporated in this Bill deleting this mandatory provision and requiring the uploading of the annual report on the company's website for the information of the shareholders.

JAGDISH LALL, Shimla

Hockey girls

Apropos the editorial 'Cheers for hockey girls' (August 7), India has been showering hosannas on the brilliant performance of the Indian hockey girls team (junior). The girls created history by winning India's first-ever bronze medal, which came to India after three decades, at the junior women hockey World Cup concluded recently. In 1975, it was Ajitpal-led Indian team that beat Pakistan 2-1 in the final of the third hockey world cup tournament to win the gold. Thereafter, no Indian hockey team, men or women, has won any medal at any hockey world cup. So, the girls deserve accolades once again.

TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala

Don't waste fuel

I am a nine-year-old student. I am worried about the mindless wastage of petrol and diesel. Most of middle-class families are trying their best to preserve fuel. But ministers, VVIPs, VIPs and rich people are wasting it by taking 10-15 vehicles along with them wherever they go. It also causes air pollution. I feel that they should care about the environment and help preserve it for future generations.

SARTHAK GANDHI, Chandigarh

Stray cattle menace

Though the Sangrur administration has taken appreciable steps to tackle the menace of stray cattle, these are proving inadequate. Merely tagging reflectors on cattle's neck and painting horns are not going to prevent accidents on account of their invisibility from all sides to speeding vehicles. At least, their movement on roads must be stopped. Milkmen and milch-cattle keepers must be educated not to let them loose. Moreover, the rehabilitation of abandoned cattle in proposed cattle pounds and guashalas is the need of the hour.

J S BHATTI, Patiala