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

HK Dua truly deserves the honour

Congratulations to The Tribune Editor-in-Chief on his nomination as member of the Rajya Sabha (news report, Nov 19). Mr Dua has joined the select league of celebrated journalists like RK Karanjia, Kuldip Nayar, Khushwant Singh, Cho Ramaswamy, etc.

A seasoned journalist of the stature of Mr Dua, who has the unique distinction of heading several leading English dailies of the country, rightly deserves the honour.

Equally important to mention, Mr Dua has always stood for the cause of editorial freedom in every newspaper he headed. He has also upheld the cause of public interest, often at the cost of his personal interest. It is expected that the same ideals and principles would guide him in his new role as a parliamentarian.

HEMANT KUMAR, Ambala city

II

The people of India expect that Mr Dua would use his wit and wisdom to make significant contribution to the debates in the Rajya Sabha. He should focus the attention of the government on resolving burning issues like terrorism, corruption and rising prices.

I am a great fan of Mr Dua’s editorials and writings and am sure he will do wonders in Parliament.

RJ KHURANA, Bhopal

III

Mr Dua’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha is heartening news. A Padma Bhushan awardee, he has made sterling contribution to leading national dailies and has done yeoman’s service to journalism. His experience will certainly be of great use in Parliament.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

IV

It is a well-deserved honour. During his career spanning four decades, his writings on political, international and social issues have been characterised by independence of judgement, objectivity and exceptional analytical ability. His sterling qualities will come in handy and I am sure Mr Dua will play his new role with aplomb.

His personal example and guidance has helped shape a dynamic new generation of journalists who have brought credit to Indian journalism.

Dr AMRIT SETHI, Bathinda

Media hype

I am no sympathiser of Manu Sharma, a convict in the Jessica Lal Murder case, who is once again in the news for wrong reasons. I strongly condemn both his heinous crime and his use of powerful influence to get parole on flimsy grounds. 

The amount of unprecedented media pressure, seemingly in the form of a concerted ad-like campaign that was mounted against Manu Sharma forced him to surrender even before his parole term expired.

But for a few exceptions like The Tribune, the media in general created an avoidable hullabaloo. We all know it rather too well that our legal justice system is a pawn in the hands of rich and the powerful. The news-hungry media pounced upon the issue. Thus it, initially, generated some public interest and an empty debate.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Teachers’ shortage

The Prime Minister has rightly stated that there is shortage of teachers in schools, colleges and universities (editorial, “Faculty crunch: Reforms meaningless without more teachers”, Nov 13). Indeed, there is a deficiency in quality education.

Even premier institutions like the IITs are facing a faculty crunch. Shortage of competent teachers ails all levels of education. There is need for better infrastructure. If suitable steps are not taken, the Right to Education Act will meet the same fate as other laws.

M L GARG, Chandigarh

II

The editorial has rightly stressed that reforms are meaninglessness without more teachers. Our higher education policy has been adrift and aimless. Increasing commercialisation and privatisation of educational institutions have turned education into a commodity.

Only remunerative salaries and positive teaching atmosphere can attract competent teachers. Indian education can match world standards, provided radical changes are made in the education policy.

Dr VITULL K GUPTA, Bathinda

Corrupt to the core It is appalling that India is considered a “highly corrupt” nation in the eyes of the world (editorial, “Highly corrupt: India has a rotten reputation”, Nov 19). Indeed, corruption is the order of the day in our country. Surely, public officials and politicians have “worked hard” to spoil the image of the country. The saddest part of the system is that the corrupt politicians are not punished in our country. The investigative agencies have been made toothless. Even otherwise, the corrupt politicians spend crores and get re-elected to the state legislatures and Parliament. What a shame! Let the CBI be given a free hand and there should be no political interference in its working. The government should give a serious thought to weeding out corruption. An emerging economic power of the 21st century, India cannot afford to carry the baggage of this kind of reputation. R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh