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Don’t let foodgrains rot

The editorial, “Problems of plenty: Enough wheat stocks, still prices high” (March 20) gave a shocking account of 10 million tonnes of foodgrains rotting in the open government godowns. It is really a matter of shame that lakhs of tonnes of foodgrains are going down the drain and people are buying the same at exorbitant rates in the open market.

Wheat has been rotting for it is being kept in the open and stored in low-lying areas, which were completely damaged due to waterlogging. The Government of Punjab is asking the Centre for help, as there is no space for the storage of the bumper harvest. One should ask the government what will it do with the continued storage of the damaged wheat that has been rendered unfit for human consumption? This lot should be removed from the present sites to make way for new arrivals and the godowns should be well covered to save the grain from calamities of the nature.

More shameful is the report that “chowkidars” have been entrusted with the duty of spraying medicines on the rotting foodgrains. Even the plastic sheets to cover wheat bags have been damaged. There are also reports that wheat bags have been infected by insects. These wheat stocks must be destroyed.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Not in hurry

To the article “Kapil Sibal: The man in a hurry” (March 19) I would like to add that this is the first time anyone has seriously thought of reforms in the education system since Independence. Mr Kapil Sibal is a visionary and has taken bold decisions and is also trying to implement them.

Foreign universities is one such issue and their arrival in India should be welcomed by one and all. Foreign universities will give tough competition to our universities and consequently the quality of education will surely improve.

Care should be taken that only established and reputed foreign universities are given permission to open their campuses in India. Besides, there should be a check on their fee structure so that the common man too can afford it.

SURAJ KAPOOR, Solan

Dyslexic students

The editorial “Education for dyslexics” (March 22) rightly suggests that uniform norms are needed for students. Students suffering from dyslexia face learning difficulty. No doubt, taking care of children with special needs is the moral duty of society.

The editorial “Enabling special children”(March 5) was also right in saying that society should be sensitive and schools too should feel their social responsibility towards special children.

However, the use of calculators should not be allowed at the school level. Besides there must be uniformity in the norms not only for use of calculators but for all other purposes. 

Parents need to work with school counsellors to decide what type of intervention is most beneficial for the child.

HARISH K. MONGA, Ferozepur City

Political vendetta

No doubt, cases of political vendetta are often a waste of the time. Still it helps people to know the real picture. Moreover, the judiciary is an independent pillar of democracy and no Vidhan Sabha can be allowed to interfere in legal procedures. Cases against politicians should not be dropped for often the influential escape the arm of the law.

NEHA PAUL, Patiala

Access to Headley

By reserving the decision on giving India access to David Coleman Headley, the US is betraying India’s trust in the US as a country leading the war against terrorism. What is the problem in handing over an accused of a crime committed in India against Indian nationals and nationals of other countries visiting India? Obviously, the US has something to hide and there lies the rub. Was the US privy to the 26/11 attack and did it keep India in the dark? Was Headley a double agent who betrayed the US too?

These and many other questions will remain unanswered if Headley is not handed over to India and to that extent the US claim to waging a total war against terrorism also remains suspect. Well, it was never in doubt that the US placed its own interests above everything else, India included. India must realise that it will have to fight its wars alone.

RJ KHURANA, Bhopal

Menace of LeT

The Laskhar-e-Toiba is the most powerful and ferocious terrorist outfit in Pakistan (editorial, “LeT a threat to peace”, March 16). Besides having a vast global network, it has deep penetration in Pakistan’s social fabric. The ISI shares information with it.

The Pakistan Army considers it an asset. The mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attack and Chief of Jamat-ud-Dawa, Hafiz Saeed, is regarded as a respectable religious leader by some members of the Pakistan’s Cabinet. The LeT is ruthlessly determined to destabilise India.

Unless the US and Saudi Arabia threaten to stop financial help to Pakistan, it will not take any action to rein in the LeT. But I doubt that they would do so despite having sympathy for India.

BHAGWAN SINGH,Qadian

Cash-rich but have no heart It is too much to expect cash-rich sports bodies like the IPL and the BCCI and corporate bodies to do their bit for the promotion of neglected sports like hockey and football in the country (editorial, “Awash with funds: IPL, BCCI have a social responsibility too”, March 23). Sports has also been commercialised and glamorised. Otherwise what are film stars doing in the IPL? They are there not for the heck of it but to make quick money. Cricket has become a lucrative business for them. So much so that even our politicians could not resist the temptation of making hay while the sun shines. Our blabbering ministers have no time for solving the problems faced by people but they have no dearth of time for attending the BCCI meetings and watching cricket matches. Obviously they are involved with cricket more for perks and privileges rather than genuine interest in the game.  Even our cricket players seem to enjoy being auctioned for playing the league matches. Their lure for money is stronger than anything else. We cannot blame them because it is we who are glorifying them. Undue importance being given to cricket at the cost of other sports is really not cricket. Unless the government comes to the rescue of hockey and football, there is little chance of their returning to the old glory.  HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur.