M A I L B A G

Need to revamp education to
help the jobless

Apropos of Mr H.K. Dua’s article “Despair of the jobless” (Dec 19), jobless discontent in Punjab cannot be ascribed to the Green Revolution. In fact, Green Revolution increased employment opportunities, leading to a sustained migration of labour force from other states to Punjab. The rising unemployment and increasing socio-economic and political instability in Punjab (and the country) is largely due to the chronic problems of burgeoning unskilled (least effective/ inefficient) population, deficiencies in human resource development and inadequacies in the education system.

We go on establishing new institutions at a huge cost leaving the existing ones poorly equipped. The illiteracy removal schemes lay stress only on creating one’s ability to read, write and solve very simple mathematical questions and not on producing literates having some skills. The human resources (practically unskilled) developed under such systems fail to get jobs and tend to create all types of problems.

Our systems of education delivery and acquisition must, therefore, be reoriented (right from the primary school level) to develop creative human resources having skills, motivation, analytical and entrepreneurial abilities required for self-employment or for getting jobs. With such measures, youth can expect useful or gainful employment and will contribute to nation building.

Dr M.S. BAJWA, Ludhiana

II

Mr H.K. Dua’s article “Despair of the jobless” carries a warning to our political leaders that all is not well for our democracy and the prevailing discontent depicts the severity of the coming events. It is but natural that unemployment leads our youth to desperation and irrationality culminating in deranged and turbulent groupism, extremist activities tampered with lawlessness and so on.

Philosophers of political science, on the basis of historical events, have laid down that fiscal, social and moral values of a country get a fresh lease of life after gaining Independence. But that is not the case with a country which attains Independence without undergoing the rigorous of a violent revolution. Such a country should either settle the values through peaceful means or be prepared to face bloody skirmishes after attaining Independence.

This problem should be tackled by our high-ups in all earnestness. Democracy can flourish only if the unemployment problem is resolved on priority. Unbridled fundamental rights are creating havoc with the lot of the poor jobless section of society. Are our leaders prepared to shed their complacency?

UMRAO SINGH KANG, IPS (retd), Chandigarh

III

Mr H.K. Dua’s article “Despair of the jobless” presents a realistic scenario of the unemployment situation in India. Many highly educated youth including post-graduates and MBAs work as gangmen in the Indian Railways. Unemployment is a social problem that creates inequality of income, economic imbalance and frustration in the minds of the educated youth, exposing them to the danger of being attracted to unwanted and anti-social elements.

Most advanced states including Punjab are also suffering from the same problem. Highly educated and talented youth prefer to go abroad for better job prospects. Brain drain can be checked if they are given suitable jobs here. But where are the jobs?

PAWAN KUMAR, Sirhind

IV

The long queues for job interviews even for one or two vacant posts leads to anguish among candidates because only the less deserving and reserved category candidates grab them. The politicians are busy and comfortable in their cosy corridors of power, but underneath that veneer, all is not well.

When will the politicians rise to the occasion and provide employment to youth?

Dr ABHIRUCHI MAKKAR, Chandigarh

V

Jobs in India are shrinking at an alarming rate. Privatisation and globalisation have further aggravated the problem. Instead of generating employment, they have rendered millions of of hands idle. American policies are effective there but not in India where the accursed ones are left to fend for themselves, leading to frustration, disappointment, anger and violence. Mr H.K. Dua’s article should serve as a wake up call for the powers that be.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala