Vox Populi

Besides adding to the squalor in the city,stray dogs are a veritable hazard. Are we to deny people a walk in their neighbourhood because the superficial welfare of dogs has become more important than the well being of humans? The authorities should make every effort to rid us of these unwanted animals.

Lt Col H S Tiwana

Chandigarh

Planned roads,unplanned usage

Roads throughout the world have space for pavements,berms,and kerb sides. Pavements are exclusively for pedestrians and kerb sides are used by public transport to lift or drop commuters.

Roads in Chandigarh were planned in a similar manner for unhindered passage of vehicles and safety of pedestrians. But it seems the Chandigarh Administration has shamefully neglected the user aspect of these planned facilities. The pavements and berms are being misused for parking of private and institutional vehicles. As a result,pedestrians are forced to walk on the road,risking their lives. The cycle tracks along the main arterial roads have become short-cuts to residential areas.

All educational institutes and sundry establishments are supposed to have parking spaces within their premises. Parking their vehicles outside the premises for lack of space is not a tenable excuse for causing public nuisance. There is no check on these violations. There is an urgent need to curb such violations.

Col K D Pathak (Retd)

Chandigarh

In defence of school

Being a former student of Sacred Heart School,I was pained to read that the CBSE had issued a notice to the school. One of the most reputed schools in the city,Sacred Heart produces good results in academics and extra curricular activities. The sisters put in their heart and soul in teaching students. I remember how we were always encouraged to do our best and regular lectures in moral values were delivered. The fee charged by the school is among the lowest when compared to private schools in the city. I wish the CBSE would think about the future of hundred of girls studying in the school before taking any action.

Dr Nita Malhotra Chandigarh

What about the mushrooming ‘teaching shops’?
Recently,private schools in Chandigarh hiked their admission fee again. This has put additional burden on the common man,who is already facing skyrocketing prices in the market. The exorbitant increase in fee is not justified.

Over the years,India has tried many approaches to improve the quality of school education,but much more needs to be done. Poor quality government schools have created a two-tier system of education. Those who can afford,go to private schools and those who cannot,go to government schools.

Consequently,there has been a mushrooming of private schools across the city,which fleece people with all might. They increase fees without taking the parents or the government into confidence. Not just that,these schools charge exorbitant money in the form of building funds,stationery charges,etc.

But as usual,there is no effective check on these ‘teaching shops’. The Education department should keep a stringent check on these schools. Since education plays a vital role in the development of a country,the education system needs to be completely overhauled.

S K Khosla

Chandigarh

Stop vulgar messages on cellphones
Receiving obscene messages on mobile phones has become common these days. Earlier,the messages were limited to friendship and dating,but messages these days invite the subscribers to visit websites with objectionable content. Tagged as ‘promotional messages’,these messages have crossed the limits of decency. It is so embarrassing to receive such messages on one’s mobile phone. Ours is a cultured society,and such vulgar messages make one feel so awkward. Service providers should be asked to stop these messages immediately and strict action should be taken against companies sending out such indecent messages.

Vineet Kapoor

Panchkula