:: Letters to Editor

Stop neglecting pure science

Op.23 : Sir, The editorial Make our schools better, then IITs (October 21), brings out the crux of the issue. The civil services exams, the Joint Entrance Exam and Common Admission Test, designed originally to locate inherent talent, have since been hijacked by coaching institutes to create a branded outer shell that enjoys currency in a flourishing consumer economy. Basic engineering/technology research languish as school-level orientation to science is poor. Neither the corporates nor the government is too keen to invest heavily into high-end research. Good engineers are happy to end up as bankers. Scientists do not rank in our set-up. We must get our priorities right. Toying with cut-off percentages to Indian Institutes of Technology or their autonomy are mere placebos, not a cure to problems arising from the neglect of pure science in a country that could produce an Aryabhatta and a Sushrutha.

R. Narayanan

Sumeru, Ghaziabad

India, china are being sceptical

Sir, India and China are nuclear powers who have a population of over 2.60 billion between them. A pity they haven’t experienced normal relations. China is angry over India’s nuclear weapons and its sheltering of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans. Arms supply to Pakistan, which has given China a part of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by it, has not gone down well in India. China should show restraint. And both India and China should avoid scepticism about each other for the sake of their populations.

D. Kishan Prasad Rao

Via email

Wildlife must be protected

Sir, It is sad to hear that tiger poaching tribes that had virtually wiped out big cats from Sariska and Panna tiger reserves are now eyeing sanctuaries of Andhra Pradesh. The government should be more serious about the protection of tigers and other wild animals. There should be more forest guards who are better armed and trained. Crores of rupees are spent on the security of unimportant people. Why can’t the government spend the required amount to protect wildlife and our forests. Wild animals are the saviours of our jungles and are precious.

S.K. Dasgupta

Via email

Only army can tackle naxals

Sir, Naxalites have expanded their area of control and are increasingly engaging in reckless violence. State governments and the Centre must take immediate steps to contain them, by deploying the Army trained in guerilla warfare, if necessary. This would restore people’s confidence. The paramilitary and the police are no match for the Naxals who use guerilla tactics.

G.M. Rama Rao

Via email

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UID card of no use to citizens

Sir, I refer to the news report Not mandatory to have UID: Nilekani (October 21). It is surprising to note the opinion of Nandan Nilekani, chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, that the unique identification number (UID) is not mandatory for citizens. When the project was initiated, it was said that each and every citizen will be given the UID which will contain all details of the person concerned. But the chairman’s version seems to be contrary to the initial ambition. I think that this UID will be of no use, just like the election identity-card supplied earlier.

N. Mahadevan

Via email