The new conditions of recruitment have not deterred the university dons to promote mediocrity at the cost of meritocracy in educational institutions of higher learning. The managements succumb to political pressure and bureaucratic meddling. When this is the condition of our education system, no one can hope to get quality ‘output’.

Dr PK MALIK,Yamunanagar

Ugly poll plank

This refers to the editorial ‘ugly poll promise’ ( Feb 1) for rape victims. It is a matter of great shame that ‘educated’ rape victims are being promised sops in the form of jobs by a major political party in Uttar Pradesh. This points to the depth of foolishness and insensitivity of the political class, and the level they can stoop to inflate their vote bank.

This illogical statement alluded to by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh but subsequently denied by him, reveals the mental level of our leaders besides their insensitivity to the victims. Monetary help to rape victim as said in the editorial ‘ugly poll promise’ ( Feb 1) is understandable. The politicians should stop playing with the emotions of the rape victims. Instead of offering sops to rape victims, politicians should ensure justice to the victims to restore their lost honour, besides creating a fearless atmosphere in the country.

RAJAN KAPOOR, Nakodar

ISRO row

As a consequence of the Antrix-Devas deal, harsh action against our eminent scientists, barring them from taking any government jobs, is quite uncalled for. Being high level technocrats, one of them a key figure in India’s coveted Moon Mission, they seem to be not in a position to manipulate the commercial as well as financial decisions. Being engaged in high profile technicalities, they neither have the time nor the expertise to manouver procedural and financial aspects of the deal. The government should not allow such high-caliber gems of Indian space programme to be made sacrificial lambs for the sins committed by those at the helm of affairs.

Er RK VERMA, Bathinda

Humiliation in Australia

There is no logic blaming senior players for the defeat. The moment we embark on a foreign tour, the thought that invariably crosses team management’s mind is about the bouncy grassy pitches abroad. Why cannot we have atleast 10 good pitches in India? To play fast pitches, you need a different technique and temperament. These things could best be developed, if we have good fast tracks in India. Why cannot BCCI consult legendary players like Gavaskar, Kapil and others and develop a solid infrastructure so that our players do not have the disadvantage of not playing on fast pitches? Why give IPL so much importance? It would be more advisable to hold IPL once in two years rather than holding it every year.

VIRENDER SHARMA, Gaarli (HP)

II

India can play test cricket only on the sub-continent’s lifeless and placid pitches and not on inter-continental spicy and pungent strips. Their 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Australia bears testimony to it.

It is time for Sachin, Dravid and Laxman to call it a day. Dhoni is said to have shown disinterest in test cricket, better he be allowed to concentrate on ODIs, T-20s and IPLs. Umesh Yadav and Virat Kohli deserve their place in the team. Why was Rohit Sharma not played in any match remains shrouded in mystery? The greenhorn Ashwin is yet to learn the nitty-gritty of test cricket. He should have made the ball do the talking, not his tongue.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

Election duties

This is with reference to the news report ‘Punjab sets new record’ (Jan 31). As a presiding officer, I got the opportunity to go on poll duty which I enjoyed and completed with full dedication. But deposition of poll material at the collection centre was the worst nightmare. We had to submit the material to the ‘patwaris’, who were deputed to receive the material. They were unaware and ignorant about the procedure in handling poll material. At the time of submission of the material, they made certain alterations in the instructions issued earlier. This wasted lot of time, and it was post-midnight when we were still standing in the queue to submit our poll material. The rough language used by the persons deputed to receive the material added insult to injury. Most of the other presiding officers who performed this duty also expressed the same view and confided that they would hesitate to perform the same duty again. Senior officials should be deputed to receive poll material.

HS DIMPLE, Jagraon