M A I L B A G

Appointing Vice-Chancellors

THIS is with reference to the news-item “Panel proposes, Chancellor disposes” (April 22).

As per the report, “the Executive Council of the university which met at Delhi on March 21 had nominated two academicians — Dr Sarup Singh and Dr Subhash C. Kashyap — on the proposed search committee...” whereas the factual position is that the council can nominate only one person. The second person can be nominated by the Academic Council. Before I write about these nominees on the search committee, I would like to give a brief description of these two councils.

The Executive Council (or Syndicate) of an Indian university is composed of 15-20 members whereas the Academic Council is generally a large body comprising about 100-150 members and even upto 200. The Vice-Chancellor, all deans of faculties, all heads of department, all professors, principals and lecturers of the affiliated colleges and several other academicians are members of the Academic Council at M.D. University, Rohtak.

The selection of a Vice-Chancellor should be through proper identification of a panel of names (three-five persons) by a search committee. The committee may comprise the following:

(i) A nominee of the Visitor/Chancellor, who should be the chairman of the committee and should be selected in consultation with the government concerned (Central/state).

(ii) A nominee of the Chairman, University Grants Commission.

(iii) A nominee of the Executive Council of the university.

(iv) A nominee of the Academic Council of the university.

The nominees of the above authorities shall be persons of eminence in the sphere of education and shall not be connected in any manner with the university concerned or its colleges or any constituent parts. The Visitor/Chancellor should appoint the Vice-Chancellor out of the panel.

(a) In no case should there be a provision for calling a fresh recommendation from the search committee nor should there be a provision for reconstituting the search committee.

(b) The Chancellor’s office should initiate the processes and procedures for the preparation of a panel for vice-chancellorship in a university at least six months before the office of the Vice-Chancellor is likely of fall vacant.

(c) A university should not be left in the charge of an acting Vice-Chancellor.

OM PARKASH WADHWA
Gohana

“Untouchable” in Paris

The French did not invent the word “untouchable”. It is our self-seeking politicians who have invented caste-related adjectives like Pariah, Chandala, Chamar, Bhangi, Mala, Madiga, Holaya and 500 more shades of untouchability by euphemistically classifying them as SCs/STs/OBCs/Dalits (whatever that means!) and providing them the so-called “protective discrimination” — the reservations.

When Mr K.R. Narayanan became President, our small-time sycophantic politicians and the Press loudly commented that for the first time in the history of independent India an “untouchable” has assumed the highest office and occupied Rashtrapati Bhavan! Then what right do we have to get angry with the French or their newspapers? You can’t fool them!

Wg Cdr H. P. HANDE (retd)
Bangalore

Withering away of moral fabric

In his article “In defence of Hansie” Mr R.P. Sapru April 22) has tried to bring out the withering away of our moral fabric in favour of material temptations, in all the walks of life in general (not only in the sport field).

He has tried to prick our conscience and exhorted our society to rise to the occasion and set equitable and secular norms for itself.

(Dr) P. N. GARG
Panchkula

Stop the rumour mill

For the past few days everybody, big or small, is coming out with new stories about betting and match-fixing. Some are digging out decade-old allegations. There is a race for cooking fresh scandals. This mushrooming of rumours is sure to kill the game of cricket.

The irony is that South Africa (the country of the main accused in the betting episode) is quite, and its board officials are acting with maturity. Similarly, Pakistan and Australia did not overreact, though their players were involved in dishonest practices. But we Indians are used (rather amused) to fanning the fire. All of a sudden an ex-President of the BCCI, a former manager of a touring team and a weekly magazine have woken up and are coming out with sensational stories, which on surface look irresponsible and childish.

To save the game, whatever is left of it, the BCCI, taking the Government of India into confidence, should ask all the accusers to file an affidavit in support of their allegations. The players being named by certain magazines or persons should file defamation cases. However, if any player is found guilty of match-fixing he should, besides monetary fines, should be permanently debarred from playing cricket.

The problem demands some sort of a fire-fighting mechanism.

J. K. MAGO
Panchkula

Tailpiece

Question: When will there be “sunshine” again in Punjab?

Answer: When “Badal” would disperse!

K.J.S. AHLUWALIA
Amritsar