The Kerala way

Thecomparisons made between Kerala and Bihar in 8216;Educating Kerala8217; by T.V.R. Shenoy IE, July 15 are unwarranted an...

Thecomparisons made between Kerala and Bihar in 8216;Educating Kerala8217; by T.V.R. Shenoy IE, July 15 are unwarranted and preposterous. How can there be any similarity between a state where there is no law and order and the rule of the gun prevails, and one which has hundred per cent literacy and high standards of accountability? Shenoy goes on to mention the 8216;8216;never-never8217;8217; land of communism; the meaning of this term is unclear. Perhaps he prefers the virtues of an oligarchic form of government masquerading as a tribal democracy, to the accomplishments of scientific socialism which the Soviet Union, despite its failings, achieved. At the end of the day, the author and others of his ilk would do well to ponder a simple point, namely that socialism 8212; whatever may have been its limitations 8212; in practice succeeded in creating societies at a stage of development which remains a dream for a large part of the peoples of India.

8212; S. S. Bhadrakumar On e-mail

8226; T.V.R. Shenoy makes a valid point. But what about the future of poor students in Kerala, especially those with no source of fixed income? The government should ensure that 40 per cent of all seats in colleges and institutions of higher learning are set aside for poor students.

8212; C. Wilson Vienna

Too little, too late

8226; The problem in our country is that we awaken only when a catastrophe of the kind witnessed in Kumbakonam occurs 8216;Schooled for safety8217;, IE, July 19. It is indeed a very tragic affair where it is difficult to fix responsibility accountability. The school authorities and the education department both stand guilty of violating safety norms. More shameful is the behaviour of the teachers who left the children alone and saw to their own personal safety.
Education has become a roaring business and school authorities are interested in making quick money at the cost of safety of children studying in their institution. It is in education that reforms are needed most. It is time both the Central and state governments boldly carried forward the reform process. As a first step, no permission should be given for running an educational institution not adhering to safety norms.

8212; P.V. Raman Chennai

Breeding apathy

8226; Are our parliamentarians not aware that the failure in the cultivation of kharif crops, owing to erratic rainfall, and mounting debts have put farmers across our country in a precarious position? If they are, then how is it that hardly any members were present when this crucial issue was brought up in the Rajya Sabha last week 8216;Out of sight, out of mind8217;, IE, July 16? This shows how disinterested our honourable legislators are in catering to the grievances of farmers. It also highlights the fact that all the concern which our leaders express by words for peasants are politically motivated so as to not lose their support during elections.

8212; V. Rajesh Mumbai

Back to basics

8226; Saurav Ganguly experimented too much in the match against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Moreover, if Zaheer Khan is not fit enough, the team should have opted for the services of Ajit Agarkar.

8212; Sasidharan S. Menon Mumbai