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

Allow talent to bloom in India

It is a moment of pride for Indians that Venkataraman Ramakrishnan has won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry along with two other scientists (editorial, “Nobel for ‘Venky’: Why can’t we invest in talent?”, Oct 9).

Sadly, talent is not respected in our country because of which our talented minds go abroad where they are duly recognised and suitably rewarded. In India, by and large talent and merit are ignored. Invariably, corrupt politicians and equally corrupt bureaucrats play a major role in disregarding talent.

The government should wake up and initiate steps to check brain drain.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

II

The editorial has aptly summed up the Indian mentality. Now, there will be a mad rush to eulogise Venkataraman Ramakrishnan’s Indian-ness. The bane of Indian administrative system is that it gives precedence to seniority over merit thereby frustrating and throttling meritorious and talented persons.

The National Knowledge Commission wanted to make amends but the effort fell foul of the then Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh. Clearly, the future of talented persons in India is not secure. Though there is no dearth of talent, the atmosphere here is conducive only to mediocrity.

TRISHLA GARG, Panchkula

Build human capital

It is a disgrace that India (editorial, “Focus on the people”, Oct 7) has slipped six points on the Human Development Index and is ranked 134 among 182 nations surveyed by the UNDP. Even nations like Sri Lanka and Bhutan are ahead of us.

While we have fared poorly in providing quality of life to its citizens, despite the government’s emphasis on education we have failed to provide quality education, especially in government schools.

The fact that even 62 years after Independence, we have not succeeded in ensuring a basic minimum quality of life for our citizens points out that there is lack of accountability and commitment among our political leadership.

Dr S KUMAR, Panchkula

II

The news that India figures so low in the human development index clearly means that our efforts in the fields of education, employment and health are woefully lacking.

Actually, development means human development and achievements have little meaning if large sections of our population remain illiterate, untrained and unemployed. We must concentrate on developing our human capital. Only then can we dream of becoming a developed nation.

DALIP SINGH WASAN, Patiala

Say no to crackers

While the entire nation looks forward to the celebration of Diwali the festival of lights, it brings in its wake the nuisance of crackers that cause both air and noise pollution. Often bursting of crackers leads to accidents and one hears of children suffering grievous injuries. Let us all say no to crackers.

VIPIN SEHGAL, Kurukshetra

Obama: Surprise decision The announcement of 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for US President Barack Obama has taken one by surprise. Mr Obama has been chosen for his “extraordinary efforts in strengthening international diplomacy” and for taking landmark initiatives to create a nuclear-free world. The award seems more political than anything else. The US has one of the largest nuclear weapons stockpiles on this planet, spends 300 billion dollars annually on defence and is also the largest and the most prolific exporters of weapons in the world. Besides, what praiseworthy work can one do in strengthening diplomacy at international level in such a short span? The most coveted honour has come under the cloud of suspicion. Dr PARMIL KUMAR, Jammu