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

Improving governance in colleges

I read Anil Bhatiya’s letter “Improving higher education in Haryana” (Perspective, May 4) in response to Rajbir Parashar’s article “Crisis of governance” (Sunday Oped, April 27). The mandatory provisions of the Haryana Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Act, 1979 enacted by the Haryana government to tone up the administration of non-government recognised colleges in the state has an overriding effect. The purpose and tenor of the Act was to save the teachers from the high-handedness of unscrupulous and autocratic private managements and also improve the standard of higher education in the state.

Much to the chagrin of teachers, several affiliated colleges in Haryana, particularly 13-odd recalcitrant DAV colleges are functioning without validly constituted governing bodies. The government and university authorities are silent spectators. These officials cannot abdicate their responsibility in enforcing the rule of law in such colleges.

In fact, the control of the government and university over affiliated-aided colleges is deep and pervasive. Unfortunately, due to the lackadaisical attitude of the officials, the self-styled managers of these erring colleges feel emboldened to perpetuate mismanagement to the detriment of teachers.

Prof OOMESH KUMAR, Faridabad

II

Rajbir Parashar, in his article, presented his views quite objectively. He has highlighted the “erosion of ethical governance” in the colleges. The government should correct things. The college managements should be made accountable for their lapses in every aspect.

The weak “library culture” is visible all around in Haryana’s colleges. For this, the teachers, principals and managements should work together. If the libraries are improved, these will add to the quality of education. Recently, The Tribune reported about maltreatment of women teachers at IG College, Kaithal. Such cases of gender callousness warrant drastic reforms in the system of governance in colleges and universities.

The writer has referred to university autonomy. The ongoing reforms have totally ignored university bodies like the Academic Council. Higher education will improve in Haryana only when universities are given true freedom. The bureaucracy and the politicians are reluctant to grant freedom for obvious reasons.

HARIPRAKASH SHARMA, Kurukshetra

When a name spells magic I read Surendra Miglani’s article, “There’s a lot in a name” (Spectrum, April 27). I agree that the fictitious name given to its characters in a film by filmmakers and storywriters sometimes becomes the identity of that star. That is why, Amjad Khan, who plays Gabbar Singh’s character in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay was better known as Gabbar instead of his original name. Besides, sometimes filmmakers and storywriters use the original name of a particular star in a film. Ravi had been the name of Jitendra in most of his films because his original name is Ravi Kapoor. Similarly, Amitabh Bachchan got the name Vijay in most films like Deewar, Shakti, Zanjeer, Agneepath, Don and Shahensha. Further, sometimes the actor has been known best due to its style, acting skills or body structure and its movements. Jitendra was best known to people as Jumping Jack after Shammi Kapoor, due to his dancing skills. Amitabh Bachchan, due to his height, was better known to his fans as Lamboo. In regard to his height, there is a song, “Lamboo ji Lamboo ji, tingoo ji tingoo ji” (Man Mohan Desai’s Coolie). Similarly, Rajendra Kumar was better known as Jubilee Kumar because most of his films celebrated silver jubilee in theatre. Further, due to the repetition of the word jaani in most of his films, Raj Kumar was popular as Jaani in the film industry. RAVI CHANDER GARG, Ludhiana

In praise of Sahibs

I read Khushwant Singh’s write-up, “Sahibs who loved India” (Saturday Extra, March 29). There is historical evidence to suggest that not only did the Sahibs love India but Indians too loved them. Even today, elderly people praise the days of British rule.

Here’s a quote from Dr Hari Ram Gupta’s History of the Sikhs: “Giani Gian Singh’s admiration for the British troops under Lord Lake know no bounds. This was based upon the various assertions of Sikh Jat zimindars of Malwa, through whose villages Lake had passed. On seeing the British troops, fair-coloured, tall, strong, neat, well dressed, well armed, absolutely silent, marching in single file, the villagers were wonderstruck. In their camps they paid for everything they purchased and for any service rendered. The zimindars who had sustained any loss of crops along the road were given compensation at once in the camp.”

KABIR SINGH, Amritsar

Urdu poetry

In his article, “The gospel truth” (May 3), Khushwant Singh rightly says that translations rarely catch the music of the world of the original. In the end, he has translated Mirza Ghalib’s famous Urdu couplet. I enjoy Urdu poetry in full measure because I can read and write the language. I also translated the said couplet into English:

There is no control over love,

It is such a fire, O’Ghalib,

Neither it can be ignited,

Nor can be extinguished.

D. S. THAKUR, Hoshiapur