:: Letters to Editor

Be on guard against china

Oct.24 : Sir, There are frequent reports of China blackmailing India and declaring that Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are not parts of India, while simultaneously swearing by India-China friendship. Nearly 50 years ago China was involved in double-talk and treachery. This led it eventually to invade Indian territory, an event that shocked Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and caused his physical breakdown. Any nation which does not learn from past mistakes cannot call itself a nation at all. If Indian leaders have any sense of self-respect left, they should improve the military infrastructure in the border areas in order to be able to resist the "human waves" assault preferred by the Chinese. "Not to believe China and not to rely on its statements" should be the basis of our foreign policy towards Beijing. To be well-guarded is the price of eternal freedom.

M. Rajaraman

Via email

GM foods and scepticism

Sir, From Green Revolution to Gene Revolution, Indian agriculture has come a long way in the past four decades. Although genetically modified (GM) food has been controversial, its benefits are tangible: reduction of pesticides, conservation of water and soil, and a better chance of a successful harvest. Environmentalists allege that GM crops are capable of increasing allergens, antibiotic resistance, and depositing of toxins in their consumers. Even the World Health Organisation agrees about the need to standardise methods of assessing the safety and nutritional aspects of GM food. True, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee recommendation comes after a thorough quality-check. GM brinjal has also been tested across the country to determine its performance under different conditions. Millions of North Americans have been living in the pink of health after eating GM papaya, soyabean and corn for years. However, the government should continue its surveillance of the quality of GM crops, and allow labels to be put on GM food sold in the open market. That would give sceptics a fair choice.

J.S. Acharya

Via email

Merit, not mediocrity

Sir, Tragically, human resources minister Kapil Sibal, who made bold to suggest that the cut-off marks for IIT aspirants should be raised from the present 60 per cent to 75-80 per cent, has taken a hasty step backward, probably under pressure. Centres of excellence are by definition elitist. They are not meant for under-achievers. Intelligence has nothing to do with class or caste, nor is merit defined by social strata. However, if our politicians truly wish to provide equal opportunity to every child, they must insist on school reforms. Mr Sibal's emphasis on school education reforms is particularly praiseworthy. He will render great service to the nation by restoring elitism to higher education by placing merit before mediocrity. For starters, we should begin with JEE reforms and higher cut-off marks.

J. Seshagiri

Via email

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Railway safety needed

Sir, This is with reference to the news report 22 killed in train mishap (October 22). The accident reveals not only the driver's lapse but also railway officials' ignorance of passenger safety. Railway authorities should take immediate steps to implement the best practices available in other countries to save the lives of innocent passengers.

M. Srinivasa Murthy

Via email