|
|
Higher educationDr Ranjit Singh Ghuman in his article
“Make Higher Education Affordable” (August 5) has rightly pointed out that education, particularly higher education, is the key input in the creation of human capital (which modern management gurus describe as knowledge capital) without which no development is possible. The high growth rate in most of the European countries and all high-performing Asian countries is evidently the result of their investment in higher education. It is, however, a matter of regret that the performance of Punjab which is considered an affluent state in many other aspects is dismally poor in respect of higher education. What can be more shocking than the fact that the share of rural population which comprises around 66 per cent of the total population of the state is hardly 5 per cent. The overall enrolment ratio in higher education which is around 8 per cent of the eligible age group of 18-23 years with +2 qualifications is also very discouraging. The most depressing aspect of the present-day educational scenario is, however, its prohibitive cost which, what to speak of the poor masses, even most of the middle class people find it difficult to afford. It is, thus, imperative that the government takes appropriate steps to make higher education accessible to all at affordable cost by subsidies and patronising it at every level. Since providing education and health facilities to its citizens is the primary responsibility of the government it should take whatever steps are necessary for this purpose. Otherwise, self-reliance and development will remain a distant dream. PROF ACHHRU SINGH,
Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Sciences,
Mandi Gobindgarh
|
City of garbage
During the regime of Capt Amarinder Singh, Patiala was being developed on a war footing as a City of Gardens and now as a City of Garbage. It seems that Patiala’s development is not on the agenda of the Akali Government and due to the ongoing tussle between the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner, development of Patiala has come to a halt.Heaps of garbage can be seen in every nook and corner of Patiala and even main bazaars and educational institutions have not been spared. Dharampura bazaar and Dhudial Khalsa High School are the best examples to see where garbage is dumped without keeping in view the importance of loyalty/health of students. Almost all the roads in the walled city are in bad shape and crying for repair. Tripuri area, Sher-e-Punjab market etc are in bad condition. Water pressure in most of the localities is low and unscheduled power cuts have made the life miserable, particularly for the common man. Moreover, traffic control is totally in a mess. The area near the bus stand is encroached and is a serious bottleneck in smooth movement of traffic. Traffic jams at Lahori Gate, Sheran Wala Gate, Dharampura Bazar, Phowara Chowk etc are common. Everyone is free to park his car/vehicle in the main markets wherever he likes. Deployment of traffic cops in the busy city area is a must. Though pollution control is mandatory for two and four wheelers but three wheelers emitting thick layer of smoke are free to run. Dr RAJ PAUL, Patiala
|
|
