M A I L B A G

Make India strong

This refers to Mr Shyam Ratna Gupta’s article “India as important in Asia for peace as China” (Nov 25). If Indians think that India should be a permanent member of UN Security Council they should make India strong enough so that it is invited to join it on its own right. India finds it difficult to even deal with its small neighbour Pakistan which has created havoc by training and sending militants across the border.

A recent example is submission of two state governments to the dictates of Veerappan. If India makes itself strong enough, she would be invited to join the elite club of five countries with veto power. It’s not going to get a seat by begging the powerful countries.

J. S. BENIWAL
New Jersey (USA)

Reforming education

This has reference to your editorial “Reforming education” (Nov 16). The suggestion, to develop “scientific temper” though a lucrative proposition, is not without misgivings which we are trying to overlook, overshadowed by our zeal to attain material goods which scientific development promises.

Education should have two objectives, firstly to impart a skill, which teaching of science is capable of, and secondly to impart something vaguer called wisdom to help the students take decisions regarding the implementation of the skill for the betterment of society.

The stress upon the development of scientific temper alone would result in a society in which nobody would try to find the true, valuable and meaningful aspect of human life.

SAROJ THAKUR
Hamirpur

Ruchika’s tragedy

I am certain that all right thinking Indians must be disgusted by the conduct of Mr Rathore in Haryana and the like of him who seem to pervade the Indian scene.

The venal corruption of the Indian bureaucracy is appaling, and the Indian political scene discomforting, where dons and criminals sit in State assemblies and Parliament.

We boast of our technical prowess but leave the ordinary citizen at the mercy of cruel officials.

Sadly, Ruchika’s tragedy will repeat itself over and over again, like in any banana republic.

D. SINGH
Gothenburg (Sweden)

Tardy Tatkal

I would like to mention the poor services at the reservation counter at Shimla Railway Station. I had enquired about train reservations from Delhi to Ahmedabad. As all the trains were full I enquired about the Tatkal facility on Ashram Express. I was informed that Tatkal facility was available at Shimla Railway Station and I was asked to come at 8 in the morning. I reached the reservation counter at 7.30 a.m. on November 21 but the counter did not open till 8.20 a.m. But by the time the entire Tatkal reservation was full. I had to make costly alternative arrangements to reach Ahmedabad.

Is it too much to expect the Railway staff to report on duty in time?

NITIN BHALAIK
Ahmedabad

Set example

This has reference to the news item “Bottomline” (Nov 19).

The reformative step called by the Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University is quite innovative and praiseworthy. The student appraisal scheme will keep a check on the sincerity, devotion and regularity of teachers towards the students.

But it would be better to set an example before implementing this scheme on teachers. The Vice-Chancellor should volunteer himself and ask the teachers to fill the VC appraisal performa so that this innovative scheme is extended to the highest level.

MOHINDER SINGH
Patiala

Delhi’s pollution

This refers to the editorial “Delhi’s pollution politics” (Nov 22). The decision of relocation of lakhs of industrial units of Delhi on to its outskirts is a noble idea, as far as the public health is concerned.

Industrial units alone contribute a major share to pollution, begetting several dangerous diseases.

But at the same time it is not that easy to relocate the units in lakhs. What did the Delhi government do when the units were being installed? Why weren’t they precluded from being installed at that time?

Raj Kumar Kayshap
Chandigarh