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Focus on teachers

On Teachers' Day, the focus of PM Narendra Modi's address should have been on teachers' problems and how they can be motivated more effectively to improve the educational environment in the country. But he chose to target children, perhaps because they are more susceptible to images than facts. Poor 'sirs and madams' were literally pushed from pillar to post to arrange for TV sets for schools for his address.

In the bargain, the arrangements made to hear Narendra Modi on TV exposed the pathetic conditions prevailing in government schools such as shortage of teachers and rooms, classes being held under the trees or the open sky and absence of toilets.

There may be thousands of children, who could not watch Modi on TV because of their parents' acute poverty. They must have been working illegally in factories and eateries to supplement their families' income. Who will listen to their untold stories of misery? The government needs to ensure that schools do not lack the facilities necessary for quality and affordable education to all children.

HEMA, Langeri

Time for action

It was heartening to see the Prime Minister interact with teachers and students, telling them his experiences and advising them on how to behave (editorial "Watching big brother" September 3). However, most of the points raised by him have already been conveyed to people in his Independence Day speech.

Students and teachers were forced to be present in schools for an extended period on September 5. It would have been better if the same was conveyed by a general address to the nation with particular attention to teachers and students at their homes. This would have saved a lot of trouble to some people. By now, Modi should be stressing in his speeches on what has been done or initiated by his government towards fulfilling the promises made by him during election days.

Surinder Kumar Mahna, Karnal

Schools lack facilities

The editorial "Speech delivered: But schools cry for basic infrastructure" (September 8) reflects the ground reality of the education system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his experiences with schoolchildren on Teachers' Day. The editorial has just pointed the obvious truth by saying: "Schools were seen flooded in parts of Punjab, Haryana and J&K, in some places, students had to walk in slush and mud for miles to reach their schools." In reality, the atmosphere was somewhat tense and students and teachers at some places did not look very happy. The contents of the controversial letter issued by the Human Resource Ministry making it mandatory for teachers and students to attend Modi's programme were being discussed in a hush-hush manner.

We must remember that thousands of schools still don't have basic facilities like good buildings, toilets and potable water.

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Unprepared for speech

Apropos the editorial "Speech Delivered", PM Narendra Modi’s idea of delivering the live speech was splendid. It revealed the poor infrastructure of most schools with such frailties as lack of electricity facility, cable facility, sitting capacity, video screens, computers and internet connections. But his speech could not be heard by everyone due to shortage of infrastructure in schools. It would have been better if this exercise was done on Children's Day as most of the interaction of the PM was with students, not with teachers. Secondly, the time of the interaction could have been in forenoon as in hilly and rural areas, the students face transport problems in the evenings.

Nikhil Sharma, Bilaspur

Promote ISM

With reference to the editorial “Affording an MBBS” (September 11), an MBBS degree has become costlier due to its high market demand value in comparison to BAMS/BUMS degrees of the Indian System of Medicine (ISM). As far as quality and competency are concerned, the ISM, supplemented with the modern western medicine advances, is not less in any way. The Government of India has recognised the ISM. But it still does not find a place in the main health stream, which is a pity. The problems plaguing the profession can be minimised by promoting the ISM in education and delivery.

Dr Naresh Dalal, Jhajjar

Art of ageing

The article “The science and art of ageing” by Suresh Rattan (September 11) deals with the scientific aspect of ageing alone. The ‘art’ of ageing has not been dealt with properly as only a fleeting reference has been made.

The writer also nourishes some wrong notions about insects and worms when he says that these creatures are small, they mature fast and reproduce in large numbers and have a short span of life of a few days or weeks. He is oblivious of the phenomenon of hibernation which some insects and animals practice to prolong their lifespan. For example, bedbugs (khatmal) and some species of the snakes and frogs hibernate and live long.

The reference to breath control and meditation is also minuscule. This should have been dealt in detail as it is very much relevant in the context of ageing. Breath control is called ‘prayanam’. Yoga is acknowledged the world over as a full-fledged technique of life enhancement.

Er L R Sharma, Sundernagar

Grow old gracefully

The article by Suresh Rattan “The Science and the art of ageing” gave knowledge about ageing. The writer explained complex medical terms in simple terms. The article helped bust some myths and misgivings about ageing. I have never read such an article on the subject in my 65 years. We should never pretend about our age as it causes stress and confusion. We should grow old gracefully. Ageing can be delayed, but not prevented. Physical exercise and yoga can arrest ageing to some extent.

As elucidated by the writer: “Low-level stress triggered by exercise has a positive relationship with health.” More such articles will go a long way in improving the health and knowledge of the readers.

Karnail Singh, Kharar