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UGC has failed to deliver
Allowing private universities in higher education is a good initiative, but in most cases, it has generated negative opinion for want of proper and strict regulation (editorial
“Varsities’ unfair means”, December
15). In expanding higher education and in determining its policies and practices, state governments have been succumbing to populist measures as was done in Himachal Pradesh. The blame needs to be shared by the UGC as well. The commission has a direct responsibility for the determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research. How many universities has it pulled up for not maintaining standards? The UGC has failed to perform its function. It has stood by and watched, while many states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal have gone ahead and established universities in the most unplanned and improvident manner. Several non-government recognised colleges have been functioning without validly constituted statutory governing bodies. The UGC has never felt the need to research what more it can and needs to do. The sanctions for enforcing its decisions will have to be more drastic than just withholding monetary grants. They should derecognise the institutes defying rules. Without developing such an authority, the lost ground in our higher education cannot be retrieved, let alone advance in the right direction. The law is really not as inadequate as those in authority sometimes pretend. The UGC will not be able to build up such authority until it draws attention from the distribution of money to vigilance and zealous guardianship of the standards of higher education. There are no statutory substitutes for the will to insist on the right standard. ANIL BHATIYA, Hisar
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Showing the way Vice President Hamid Ansari has beautifully brought out the issue of corruption in India in one of his lectures which was reproduced in the article ‘Striving for probity in public life’ (December 14). It gives credence to the need to awaken and rest not till the end of corruption is ensured. The rulers and the ruled should ponder over the problem. Ansari has brought out some bare facts pertaining to the genesis of corruption. The politicians, bureaucrats and the public in general should consider his suggestions. His four-fold approach needs to be worked out seriously which can be a basis for discussion and debate at all the relevant fora, especially among the youth in schools and colleges. The government offices, it appears, have become the dens of corruption where non-acknowledgement, less to talk of delays in taking decisions, is rampant. The government can do more if it has the will. Dr S KUMAR, Panchkula Speak out Sex crimes against women are taking place in every corner of the country, some being reported and some not. Not all cases see the light of the day. The fact that the horrendous crime occurred in the national capital, people across the national spectrum expressed anger and despair. It also goes without saying that the society is responsible for the vulnerability of the woman. She is being taken as an indispensable object of enjoyment. We have no qualm in killing her in the name of saving family honour and exploiting her physically in every possible way. Until we treat her as equal human being and empower her in all respects, she will continue to be at the mercy of others. As a victim of sex crimes, women instead of sticking a tape on their mouth need to peel it off and shout aloud for their right for a fair treatment. In no case should they allow themselves to become a synonym for frailty. SATWANT KAUR, MahilpurII The police is keen on not disclosing the identity of the arrested culprits in the Delhi gang-rape. Such wolves amongst sheep should be publicly exposed and punished. Public protest is laudable, but we as a nation are just evaders. We do express what we consider unjust but never contribute in containing it. After the initial show of anger, we will leave the victim to face the hardship alone. We need to involve ourselves in our duties, which is the only solution. Expressing displeasure over occurrence of such heinous crimes, though has its own value, hence it cannot be undermined altogether but keeping in view the lax administrative remedial attitude, more public involvement holds the key. MPS CHADHA, Mohali Pak minister’s visit The recent visit of Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik can be summed up in three sentences ‘He came, he slapped and he went away laughing’’ (editorial ‘Sensitive issues’ (December 18). It is really shameful that inspite of Pakistan’s arrogance, Home Minister Sushil Shinde had invited him to visit India. Pakistan is continuously mocking us by asserting that there is not enough evidence to punish LeT leader Hafiz Saeed. The reality is that even if Pakistan lays a finger on Saeed, it will itself get exposed. In the larger national interest, the Centre must deal firmly with Pakistan, not bothering about the Muslim vote bank. AK SHARMA, Chandigarh II It is unfortunate that the visiting Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik linked the Mumbai killings with the demolition of the Babri Masjid and put the blame on our intelligence agencies for not being alert enough to read the designs of the “Indian” agents that carried out the Mumbai carnage. Instead of promising action against LeT chief Hafeez Saeed who masterminded the 2008 Mumbai killings, the Pakistan minister wanted concrete evidence against him despite the Indian government having provided the same to Pakistan. How long will Pakistan live under the threat of Muslim fundamentalists? R K
KAPOOR, Chandigarh
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