M A I L B A G

Between teachers and students

THIS is with reference to the article “Learning from students” by Prof Amrik Singh (August 3). No doubt, an unfair treatment meted out to a student by a teacher really bugs him throughout his life. Especially towards sensitive and weak students, teachers should adopt a humble attitude. They should not forget that their personal touch can work wonders on their psychology and morale which can make them an entirely different person.

It is also very wrong on the part of those teachers who discriminate among students on the basis of their intellect and social class. Most of the teachers pay too much attention to the brilliant students, ignoring the weaker lot. They also infuse an inferiority complex among such students when they scoff at them rather than help them in shedding their inhibitions.

We have often heard teachers grumble about the declining tendency among the present generation of students to hold their teachers in high esteem. But they must also realise that respect begets respect. Merely by joining the teaching profession, they can never command love and respect from students. Only their erudition seasoned with compassion, politeness and humbleness can earn them their due respect. Unfortunately, these human values are on the decline among today’s teachers. It is high time the teachers justified their so-called status of “nation-builders”.

RAKHI DHAWAN
Chandigarh

Free legal aid scheme

Two Tribune reports — (i) “Making the downtrodden aware of their rights” (August 4) and (ii) “Free legal aid campaign” (August 7) — both emanating from Bilaspur (HP), make almost identical reading. Thus Mr B.S. Chauhan, District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Bilaspur, enjoyed limelight twice over the same story. How lucky!

Mr J.N. Barowalia, Mr Chauhan’s counterpart at Una, it seems pertinent to point out, too, had launched a “vigorous campaign” to popularise the people-friendly “Free legal aid” scheme and organised as many as eight well-attended “Legal Literacy Camps” all over the district some time ago. However, sadly and strangely, the coverage in the matter was virtually negligible. How sad!

The following Urdu couplet sounds pertinent:

Yeh nizam-e-maiqada hai

Yahan apni apni qismat,

Koi khumbh pe khumbh lundhaye

Koi jaam ko bhi tarse.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

Balanced views

I have been a regular reader of The Tribune for the last two decades or so. During all these years, I find that The Tribune stands out among all other papers because of its objective and balanced views on issues of public interest as well as its commitment to the value system of society. In the era of free market, we find there is a sudden flow of newspapers to this region.

The Tribune has tackled the competition in the most dignified manner. It has added lots of interesting features, making it an information-packed paper. Besides, it has the conviction to devote space to deep things as “Spiritual Nuggets” and “Of life Sublime”.

I am truly impressed with Log in.... Tribune, an exclusive pullout on information technology. I am sure it will be liked by all. Unfortunately, the first issue did not have any exclusive space for housewives. I hope this will be taken care of in future. Thanks for giving us this gateway to the information highway for free.

NEERAJ GUPTA
Chandigarh

Victims of generation gap

Apropos of Mr Raman Mohan’s piece, “Caught between two world’s” (July, 30), I would like to draw your attention to the hidden aspect of the problem. The generation gap is one reason of the rising cases of divorce, unhappy marriage and extra-marital affairs.

Being a hosteller, I have come across the children of rural, conservative yet rich family background. They have been sent to the hostel to pursue higher studies. Meeting children from different family backgrounds, values and life-style, they undergo a change in their personality. Back home all their major decisions are taken by their elders. Often they have to comply with unending restrictions.

In this age of individualism where the head rules the heart, nuclear families have replaced joint families and career is the top priority. Discos, datings and booze are an easy means to defy the norms of conservative society and to raise your voice against the highhandedness of over-enthusiastic parents.

SHILPI GAUTAM
Chandigarh

Cosmetic chicks on sale

A dubious trade involving the sale of cosmetic chicks going on with impunity has come to limelight. To make the sale more lucrative, traders lend shining colours of different shades to the delicate bodies of infant chicks (three to four days old). The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals caught hold of a person carrying more than 50 infant chicks in one single cramped basket denying them the feed, water and freedom of movement in the scorching and humid weather of August.

The chicks appear to be the victim of institutionalised cruelty and exploited for profit by their daily open sale in thousands on the busy roads of the holy city of Amritsar. The colours lend to the chicks to make them attractive seem to be highly toxic as in an attempt to decolourise a chick, the percolated coloured water was found lethal to the birds who drank this polluted water.

These cosmetic chicks are purchased by innocent hawkers at Rs 2 per chick and sold in the streets to earn a profit of Rs 2 to 3 per bird. People purchase these chicks for the entertainment of their children by keeping them in captivity and without knowing that it can be a health hazard to all of them.

The proprietors of the wholesale shops who procure artificially coloured chicks from other states are callously indifferent to their feeding, heeding, natural appearance and suitable environment. This is blatant violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. There is need to see that the irresponsible and callous persons engaged in this nefarious trade do not flourish. They need persuasion if not prosecution.

SOSHIL RATTAN
Animal production specialist
Amritsar