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

Play dry Holi, save water

Considering that so many people combat water shortage on a daily basis, we can make this Holi more special by saving every drop we can. This Holi, add colour not only to the celebration, but also the world around by saving water. We must pledge to celebrate the festival with only dry colours. Herbal colours are a good option as they are safe and easily washable. Water balloons should not be used because of environmental concerns. Since they don't biodegrade or shred, they can cause harm to wildlife and affect the environment.

Spread the word, inspire your children, friends, peers, family and neighbours to celebrate a dry Holi and make the much needed effort to conserve water.

Vineet Kapoor, Panchkula

Help slow learners

Apropos the editorial “Restoring examinations: Education, not retention, should be the goal” (March 11), the policies on education seem to be on paper only. We cannot develop unless education reaches the villages and helps in the improvement of the plight of rural children.

It is the duty and moral responsibility of teachers to make special and sincere efforts to help the slow learners. The Rashriya Maddhymik Shiksha Abhiyan is a laudable step towards this direction.

Jaspreet Kaur, Patiala

Improve govt schools

The negative aspects of our education policy have been highlighted in the editorial “Restoring examinations: Education, not retention, should be the goal” (March 11). Even after 67 years of Independence, we are not ready to completely let go of the slave mentality inherited from the British rule times. We still try to copy the West, ignoring the concrete ground realities of our country. The University Grants Committee (UGC) of the UK becomes the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India. We prefer quantity to quality.

What are its consequences? The well-to-do citizens of our country have lost faith in government schools. Almost all government teachers have withdrawn their children from government schools. Only the downtrodden masses, particularly farm labourers, marginal farmers, small shopkeepers and daily wage labourers, who have no other choice are sending their wards to these schools which provide bleak career prospects for them. The sooner this problem is addressed the better.

Ajaib Singh Tiwana, Patiala

Punish in public

It is a matter of concern that cases of sexual harassment in sports are on the rise. Sports coaches, managers and other authorities are like gurus. The parents send their wards to them as their custodians, but some of them harass the players sexually. Recently, the Sports Authority of India suspended Satvir Singh, wrestling coach at the Hisar training centre, over the issue.

Ranjitha, a member of the women’s hockey team, had complained against chief coach M M Kaushik. He was suspended after a four-member inquiry committee found him guilty.

The editorial “Sexual harassment in sports” (February 26) rightly concludes that unless the Sports Ministry includes women in the selection and decision making committees and sets up a sexual harassment committee, exploitation of women would be hard to check.

It would be more effective if defaulters are punished in public.

Subhash C Taneja, Gurgaon

Expedite marines’ case

The Italian marines taken into custody have been facing trial for killing two fishermen for around two years. The Indian people are sick of the prolonged and slow process of our judicial system. That is why crores of cases are hanging fire in lower courts and the apex court. In many cases, prosecutors and respondents even die before the court verdict is out.

Since two foreign men are facing trial, the case should be expedited and disposed of within a month. Now Italy is approaching an international body for quick disposal of the case. This is a shame for the Indian judicial system and the government is responsible for this mess.

Sher Singh, Ludhiana