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

Efforts must be made to prevent suicides

Suicides are a matter of concern (article, “Quitting life early: Suicides are preventable tragedies” by Nonika Singh, April 29). Suicide is often a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Many lives are lost every year to suicides in our country. The actual data on attempted suicides is difficult to ascertain, as many cases are not reported.  

Though one can blame TV serials and Bollywood films for the rising trend of suicide among students to some extent flaws in the education system, high handedness of teachers and changes in the family structure and culture are also responsible. 

Although suicide is a deeply personal and an individual act, suicidal behaviour is determined by a number of social factors too. Poverty, unemployment, debts and educational problems are also associated with suicide. The recent spate of farmer’s suicide in India had raised societal and governmental concern.

Suicide is a multifaceted problem and hence suicide prevention programmes should also be multidimensional. There is an urgent need to develop a national plan for suicide prevention in India. The priority areas include responsible media reporting of suicide and related issues, NGOs support, improving the capacity of primary care workers and specialist mental health services. 

Mental health professionals must adopt proactive role in suicide prevention and save the lives of thousands of young Indians. There is a need to decriminalise attempted suicide if any suicide prevention strategy has to succeed.

HARISH K. MONGA, Ferozepur City

AMAR JIT SINGH GORAYA, Griffith NSW

Clean the IPL mess I agree with the views expressed in the editorial, “Out on a limb: Even Modi should get a fair trial” (April 27). Lalit Modi was suspended in the midnight coup by the BCCI fearing that the Chairman of the IPL would lift the curtain and the involvement of some of the top-shots in the ugly mess of the IPL would come to light. Lalit Modi has been cleverly given a 15-day notice to file his reply. In fact, it is the BCCI which has gained this time for covering up its misdeeds. Modi is facing charges of involvement in financial irregularities, rigging bids, proxy holdings and kickbacks in broadcast deals. There are lots of skeletons in the IPL cupboard which are likely to fall when it is opened. Many heads will roll as new evidence comes out. The guilt of those powerful men, including the politicians, must be uncovered and they should surely be punished. The cleaning up of the IPL must be done quickly. The IPL has become a popular sports-entertainer and must be saved and not banished. RK KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Assess them right

Harish Dhillon’s article “Assessing school students” (April 27 gives an insight into practical problems related to the implementation of the RTE which prohibits holding back any child in a class in elementary grades. The Act proposes automatic promotion to every child to the next class but if we do not weed out and keep promoting, won’t we be subjecting the laggard children to a lot of stress later.

They will struggle to cope with the curriculum of the next class. Unless remedial measures are taken, the gap is likely to widen with the promotion of these inadequately enabled students to each next grade. And then there is a big question mark –what will happen to these children at the completion of elementary education?

RAMA KASHYAP, Chandigarh