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

Every child has right to education

I agree with the views expressed in the editorial “Education, a birthright” (Aug 6). After the adoption of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2009 it is the moral duty of the Centre, states, community and parents to ensure that every child in the 6-14 year age group goes to school.

The Bill is quite comprehensive and provides various welcome measures. Some of these are: to ensure proper school infrastructure, quality teachers, teaching material and reservation of 25 per cent seats for disadvantaged sections in private schools. Other notable features include establishment of neighbourhood schools and that no child shall be held back or expelled.

To achieve these laudable objectives, the budget for education must be enhanced to at least 6 per cent of the GDP. The Bill is a revolutionary step. To make it a successful instrument of social change, it must be implemented with determination and political will.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

II

The editorial rightly suggested that more qualified persons are likely to be attracted toward teaching if teachers are paid better salaries. At the same time, a report “Education Bill spells end of ‘private tuitions’” (Aug 6) by Aditi Tandon referring to the finding of a recent report on teachers’ absenteeism, pointed out that higher pay is not associated with lower teacher absence at schools.

Then how we can say that only good salaries can attract more committed
teachers? To tackle absenteeism, the government should deal with absentee
teachers stringently.

SATINDER PAL SINGH, Muktsar

No bailout

The editorials “Why bailout?” (Aug 3) and “Airlines’ U-turn” (Aug 4) were timely and fine pieces of commentary against the arm-twisting tactics of the private airlines which try to extort unreasonable favours from the government.

Indeed, the private airlines are profit-driven and know that they live in a competitive world where only the efficient can survive. Any private enterprise does business at its peril.

If the airlines have suffered losses, why should the government carry the burden of their inefficiency on its shoulders? More so when they have money for Formula One racing and sponsoring cricket shows.

M S KALSI, Dehradun

Spread awareness

Consumer courts have been set up to protect the cause of consumers. However, a large majority of people in India are not aware of their purpose and significance. Similar is the case with the RTI Act.

Thus, there is need to spread awareness among the public so that they can benefit from both. The media can play a vital role and simplify the procedures needed to make use of consumer courts as well as the RTI Act.

Prof P K SHARMA, Jagraon

Judicial reforms imperative The Law Commission has rightly (editorial, “Agenda for reform”, Aug 12) recommended pressing reforms to streamline the functioning of the judiciary. It has revealed that more than 50,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court. There is a shortage of judges and a large number of cases are pending in the courts in India. The use of information technology should come to the rescues of courts. There is an urgent need to fill vacancies in courts. The Law Commission has suggested judicious ways to reduce the huge backlog of court cases. Mega Lok Adalats, too, can be set up to decide cases under various acts such as the Negotiable Instruments Act. M L GARG, Chandigarh

Fitness mantra

Devi Cherian has touched upon an important issue in the column “Chatterati” (“Celebs becoming fitness freaks”, Aug 10). It is evident that exercise is as necessary as food for the preservation of health and longevity.

Most people who have a regular workout will agree that they experience a general sense of well-being and release of tension afterwards. Cornaro said, “What we leave after making a hearty meal does us more good than what we have eaten.” This principle will help us achieve the desired fitness levels.

Dr AVTAR NARAIN CHOPRA, Kurukshetra

Cricket & WADA

Indeed, the BCCI’s refusal (editorial, “BCCI on the wrong foot”, Aug 4) to comply with the “Whereabouts Clause” of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is deplorable. The BCCI has claimed that this particular clause is a violation of the right to privacy. When 571 sporting organisations have accepted this clause, what is wrong with our cricketers?

Since WADA allows sportspersons to inform of any change in the schedule through SMS or e-mail, where is the hitch to endorse it?

The editorial has rightly observed that it is either arrogance or ignorance which
is behind the BCCI defiance. The BCCI must realise that cricket is not above
other sports.

SUBASH C TANEJA, Rohtak