II

I do not fully agree with the viewpoint endorsed in the editorial. The elections to the student’s unions are certainly not the ideal platform to produce politicians who can clean up the present mess in Indian politics. The present state of student’s union elections undoubtedly breeds violence, vested interests, dishonesty and extravagance.

Students of Haryana have undoubtedly become more disciplined and career conscious, since the late Bansi Lal banned the elections to the students unions. The state of affairs of elections in Panjab University where mockery of the recommendations of Lyngdoh Committee is made every year stands testimony to my viewpoint.

The only way to generate good leaders and clean the filthy politics of today would be to impart all-round education and awareness in such a way that the youth of today is not only involved in academic pursuits but with social problems too.

The youth if imparted proper education shall automatically feel indebted to society and its constituents and endeavour to rectify the social evils. If society and teachers in particular remain merely mute and helpless spectators things shall deteriorate further.

Let us engage our youth in social service activities. The ideal leaders that our nation needs today shall emerge through this process and certainly not through elections to the student’s unions.

SANJEEV TRIKHA, Fatehabad

III

The large-scale anarchy and violence at the just concluded students’ elections simply suggest that the spirit of Lyngdoh Commission’s guidelines have buckled in the corridors of educational institutions. 

Ironically, the students’ demeanour during elections is also a manifestation of how the system is grooming our upcoming generation in the guise of educating them. Not only that, it also gives us a preview of our young generation’s conduct in the future assemblies or Parliament. 

It is time we thought about our education system holistically to ensure that our adventure to provide quality education does not culminate in yielding `info-rich illiterates’.

Dr RAVI K MAHAJAN, Chandigarh

Match-fixing scandal

Sports lovers all over the world have been shocked that there has been rampant match fixing (editorial, “Cricket shame”, Aug 31). Indeed, this could be the tip of the iceberg. In fact, one heard about such cases in the past, too.

During the IPL season too rumours of match-fixing were in the air.

News of the World, has done a commendable job by exposing this scandal. Pakistani players have always been vulnerable as they are paid less in comparison to Indian, British or Australian cricketers.

The ICC should investigate the matter thoroughly and severe punishment should be given to the erring players. Their property should be confiscated and their cricket records, if any, should be declared as null and void.

RAMESH GUPTA, Narwana

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