Talks with Pak

Even though in our relations with Pakistan, dialogue is helpful, I think we have to plan for our security after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Pakistan policy will not change as long as the Army dictates it. Our foreign policy in Nepal also faces a big question mark.

ANIL DIVAN, via e-mail

Electoral reforms

V Eshwar Anand in his article, “Electoral reforms” (Feb 17) while rightly praising the achievements of the Election Commission avers that a lot more needs to be done. The suggestion that the members of the commission be selected by a collegium is just and will go a long way in making this august body independent.

People will stand by the commission if criminals are barred from entering into Legislative Assemblies and Parliament. Anyone charge sheeted should be kept out.

SHUCHI CHANANA, Dehra (Kangra)

Teachers’ evaluation

Shelley Walia’s article “Evaluating teachers” (Feb 16) regarding the need for and importance of evaluating teachers is in sync with the changing dimensions of education. There is a serious need for evolving a streamlined system of feedback for evaluation of teachers by students.

A sense of insecurity and fear of vendetta probably prompts the teaching community to resist feedback which is a means by which one can know where one stands, thus offering scope for improvement.

The problems, which Prof Walia mentions about irregular students filling in feedback and mediocre students unable to appreciate an outstanding teacher, are relevant. However, the problem can be solved and a beginning has to be made. Indeed, we are not looking for unanimity; consensus is all that is needed.

HARPREET KAUR VOHRA, Ludhiana

II

I agree with the observation that “Often it is noticed that a teacher who engages in simplistic and humdrum linear delivery of knowledge is rated as lucid and superior to an intellectual who sparks off controversy and, to an extent, imparts new ideas that inevitably result in after-class debates stimulating endeavour for further research.” At the risk of sounding insolent I would however say that almost all teachers who taught me at the post graduate level (English) were mediocre because they taught without any kind of intellectual rigour. Their lectures were often derived from popular “guides”.

AKHILESH, Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur

Don’t burn leaves

Burning of dry and fallen leaves emits toxic and harmful fumes. It increases suspended particulate matter in the air and thereby pollutes the atmosphere. It also produces carbon dioxide, which creates greenhouse effect. It causes cough, eye irritation and respiratory disorders. We must stop burning leaves.

CHAMAN SINGLA, Bhucho Mandi

Retirement age

The editorial “Judges’ retirement” (Feb 24) has aptly observed that raising the judges’ retirement age will help clear the huge backlog of arears in the higher judiciary. At present the age of retirement of High Court judges is 62 years and that of the Supreme Court judges is 65 years. It has been observed that when judges reach the age of 60 or above they become quite mature and impart justice more speedily. It is imperative that the retirement age of judges is raised.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak