II

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal for uniform maths and science curriculum for the students of classes XI and XII all over the country deserves appreciation. The move will definitely remove stress on the minds of students as well as their parents.

Moreover, it will encourage students, especially those studying in rural area and small cities of India, to compete for the single entrance examination. There will be fair and healthy competition among all students studying the same syllabi.

However, some weightage should be given to marks obtained in Class XII examination. The guidelines for the pattern of board examinations and marking criteria must be uniform all over the country.

NIRANJAN SINGH, Chandigarh

Judges’ elevation

Kuldip Nayar in his article, “Why Justice Shah couldn’t make it to SC?”(Feb 22), is right in saying that the collegium must provide an answer. The judiciary’s independence and accountability are two sides of the same coin. The members of the collegium are judges of the Supreme Court, who interpret the law.

But when it comes to the elevation of judges to the Supreme Court bench, a single member chooses to veto the decision of the majority. The system needs to be reformed so as to ensure that the deserving are elevated to the Supreme Court.

AJIT SINGH, WIndsor, Canada

Mamata’s budget

It is a great relief that the rail fares have not been hiked in the rail budget presented by the Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee (editorial, “Mamata’s vision: Running on track is her problem”, Feb 25).

The editorial rightly observes that the railway ministers use the provision of a separate rail budget system for their personal benefits and publicity. Ms Banerjee certainly has an eye on the West Bengal Assembly elections. But the public has not been assured of any special comforts of rail journey. This is the major drawback of this budget.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

II

The editorial has rightly analysed the budget trends. Anyhow, Ms Mamta Banerjee deserves appreciation for taking care of ‘aam aadmi’. 

It is but natural that every minister takes care of his or constituency and the budget has been made with a political bias keeping in view West Bengal Assembly elections. At the same time, the world’s second largest railway network is suffering from obsolete technology and infrastructure.

HARISH K MONGA, Ferozepur City

Simple living

Maniki Deep’s middle “Slippers, anyone? (Feb 25) was interesting. I was surprised to learn that beggars did not accept slippers. It made me think of a famous proverb, “Time changes and we with time”. Today every individual from any community wants to choose the best.

Along with the rich, even beggars seem to have raised their standards and accept only good things. Overall, we all have become selective about what we want. Branded products and services have captivated us. It is all because we have become materialistic. We should give importance to simplicity as Gary Snyder has rightly said — “Simplicity is light, carefree, neat and loving — not a self punishing ascetic trip.”

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Amritsar

Sachin’s record

Sachin Tendulkar is a maestro. His score of 200 runs not out at Gwalior against South Africa in the ODI is a matter of joy for sports lovers all over the world. Congratulations to him for his admirable feat. It is his hard work and dedication towards cricket that has led him to scale these heights.

His success story is inspiring and makes one feel proud to be an Indian.

Sachin says that records are made to be broken and he is continuously making and breaking records.

MAHESH KUMAR, New Delhi