:: Letters to Editor

Wrong move by hrd ministry

Sept.23 : Sir, Union human resources development ministry asking several universities, IITs, IIMs, autonomous educational institutions etc. to observe austerity in order to generate additional resources by revision of tuition fees, levy of user fees and withdrawal of hostel subsidies, is unwise. This will have serious consequences, leaving scores of students across the nation very unhappy, to say the least. Further, with these prestigious institutions faring well at present and now being asked to cut back on domestic and foreign travel, and publications that are considered essential and have by and large been part and parcel of the courses, it wouldn’t be too surprising if in future the students opting for these very courses fell to a minimal number! Therefore, the ministry should rightly reconsider its decision.

Jaya Venkitachalam

Via email

Don’t disclose India’s secrets

Sir, According to the relevant provisions of the Official Secrets Act formulated by the government, secret information about sensitive issues pertaining to the nation must not be made public. As such, the government should not disclose the details of how and why, and under what compulsions the 1998 Pokhran tests were conducted, as any disclosure of such sensitive information will allow our neighbours to take undue advantage of disclosures on sensitive issues.

B.S. Raghavendra Rao

Via email

Pakistan is not cooperative

Sir, With reference to the editorial How real is Pak action on Hafiz? (September 20), if Pakistan was sincere in fighting terrorism and clear in its mind about the position of Jammu & Kashmir and ending state-acquiesced terrorism, the relations between India and Pakistan would be dynamic and very cordial. Such a situation would benefit both the countries and their people. This will reduce their defence budget allocations and money thus saved can be used for development. But experience shows us that the above qualities were never practised by Pakistan.

G.V.S. Lakshmi

Via email

Keep constant vigil at border

Sir, With reference to the news report NSA: China ambition cause of rivalry (September 20), the situation at the border cannot brook any complacency and needs constant vigil. The government should initiate necessary diplomatic and military measures and reassure people of its preparedness to meet any situation, including possible Sino-Pak military collusion, both overt and covert. An objective and realistic assessment of threat perception is the first step in this direction.

V.S. Prasad

Via email

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Why U.S. does not like nam

Sir, On September 19, while responding to a question on China’s role in the United Nations, America’s top envoy to the UN, Susan Rice, choose to bash the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) by describing it as irrelevant as the blocs of Western and developed countries. Perhaps she wants the world to forget and forgive the unilateral and unwarranted actions taken by Nato. In May 2006, NAM states issued a statement of support for Iran in its standoff with the European Union and America, and warned against any attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. For years now similar action has been taken condemning unilateral aggression by the US.

Nishant Bhaiji

Via email