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

What about teaching standards?

In the editorial “Teacher’s gain” (Dec 18), you have rightly observed that the pay hike will help attract talent. However, the pursuit of learning and its dissemination have rewards beyond pay parities and hierarchical equivalence.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has a direct responsibility for the determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in universities. How many universities has the UGC pulled up for not maintaining standards? Sadly, the UGC has stood by while universities and colleges have been set up in the most unplanned manner.

It is the duty of the teachers to provide quality education. They must play a crucial role in educational advancement. High levels of scholarship and a deep concern for the welfare of students must be their motto.

There is a need for continuous review and assessment of the professional excellence of these high services. Alas, the profession is cluttered with far too many people resting on “withered” laurels.

PROF ANIL BHATIYA, Hisar

DR M S BAJWA, Former Director of Research, PAU, Ludhiana

Keep it up The middle “Sound and fury” (Dec 18) by A J Philip was interesting. I am reminded of Mr Prem Bhatia, former Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune group of papers, who, like Khushwant Singh, would often share interesting and informative episodes from his distinguished diplomatic and journalistic career with the readers. The Tribune was established on February 2, 1881, and continues to adhere to a unique set of values and standards concerning the common man. It would do well to introduce a daily column “From The Tribune, a century ago”, highlighting events and activities of yore for informative education and inspiration. LALIT BHARADWAJ, Panchkula

Antulayspeak

Mr AR Antulay, Minister of Minority Affairs, should know that he couldn’t be flippant in his utterances on an issue that has traumatised the entire nation. His remark on ATS chief Hemant Karkare’s killing demolishes the case of the Government of India that the killing was the handiwork of a bunch of Pakistani terrorists. It is an endorsement of what the Pakistani media has been alleging all along.

What’s more, one of the terrorists, Ajmal Amir Qasab, who was captured alive, admitted to the killing of Karkare and two of his colleagues. In this backdrop, Antulay’s irresponsible remarks are undoubtedly part of a calculated design to divert attention from Pakistan, provide ammunition to the Pakistanis to hit back at India, ridicule India’s charge and ignite the communal cauldron.

Mr Antulay must be fired, here and now. The government’s or the Congress party distancing from his so-called “personal observation” is not enough. It doesn’t even amount to condemnation and falls far short of what the situation demands.

R J KHURANA, Bhopal

II

The comments made by Mr Antulay, linking Hemant Karkare’s death with the ongoing Malegaon blasts case, are outrageous and irresponsible. The insinuation that so-called “Hindu terrorists” might be behind this episode is reprehensible. Mr Antulay has provided beleaguered Pakistan with proverbial “straw” to swim over international condemnation on the issue of export of terror from its soil.

His remarks remind one of the Batla House encounter episode where the sacrifice of Delhi police officer M C Sharma was questioned. Mr Antulay should have, at least, waited till the credibility of the ruling party had been restored in the eyes of the public after 26/11.

Dr. ASHOK KAPAHTIA, Shimla