Little stars on earth

• In ‘A little like Ishaan’, Gowri Ishwaran articulates why every parent should watch Taare Zameen Par. Our increasingly consumerist, unkind society makes us less sensitive to the needs and wants of our very own. The film highlights how this insensitivity affects the relationship between parents and children, and between students and teachers. Not a day passes without us hearing about the severe punishment meted out to children at schools, about the ways in which students are ‘made to realise their mistakes’ and the humiliation and physical abuse they are subjected to. The bigger question that needs immediate attention is: what is modern education all about? Is it too tiresome for teachers and the authorities to even try and understand the psyche of a child? It is that dreaded word ‘discipline’ that ensures that children don’t grow. And again, it is ‘discipline’ that ‘fixes’ them. The film has brilliantly brought these into bold relief. And coming to ‘special children’, they are discriminated against in public places, places of study and even in their own homes. The film may give you the impression that the filmmaker has dealt with the problems of special children in broad brush, but I am sure every such child would be thanking Khan this unique film. Somewhere down the line, the film also questions the relevance of education. In a very subtle yet profound manner it contrasts the present-day education system with value education. Cinema is the one medium that can bring about a change in our values and slowly power a social revolution. Aamir Khan has done just that. The film should be screened in all educational institutions.

— Farzana Nigar

Ranchi

Modi’s bleeding heart

• Narendra Modi has sought the Centre’s support for Kenyan victims of Gujarati origin. Sadly his government has completely ignored the over 5,000 internally displaced riot victims of 2002. The chief minister ignores his constitutional obligations within Gujarat but is most eager to help Gujaratis in Africa. Is religion the sole criterion for government help?

— J.S. Bandukwala

Vadodara

It’s deal time

• The electoral debacle in two states — Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh — might be a blessing in disguise for the ruling UPA government. Now that the BJP has the momentum, it might dislodge the UPA at the Centre if mid-term polls were to be held. The UPA government should go ahead and operationalise the nuclear deal with the US and dare the Left to withdraw support. It is highly unlikely that the Left would risk a Lok Sabha election now for fear of losing some of its seats. Also, the BJP should act as a mature party and put partisan politics away and support the nuclear deal. This would show their concern for the nation and the people.

— Niranjan Solanki

Vadodara

Tricky Ponting

• Ricky Ponting should be rechristened ‘Tricky Ponting’, since he knows all the tricks to make India lose wickets and the Test. He also knows how to keep his chief tormentor, Harbhajan Singh, out of the attack.

— S. Krishna Kumar

Mumbai