Opinion Absurd UGC
The recent UGC notification makes it mandatory for professors to clock 40 hours of work per week and a minimum of 6 hours of research....
The points raised in the editorial The professoriate (IE,June 30) merit attention. The recent UGC notification makes it mandatory for professors to clock 40 hours of work per week and a minimum of 6 hours of research. An absurd clause also suggests that they must be physically available for at least five hours a day on campus. The UGC has been lambasted for bringing in guidelines unlikely to be efficacious. At a time when our 342-odd universities are languishing in poor academic standards and paucity of qualified professionals,we need to raise the bar qualitatively. Drastic measures and saltatory leaps are required to fill the gaps in numbers and quality of faculty. Creating an academic culture of research and publication should be the backbone of academics; not merely a prerequisite for promotions and perks.
Deepa Kylasam Iyer
Thiruvananthapuram
Backing Hegde
Your editorial Collateral benefit (IE,June 30) has rightly emphasised the need to empower the Lokayukta. Hegde has done yeoman service to the cause of executive responsibility towards the general public. By highlighting the nexus between powerful ministers and administration,Hegde not only jeopardised his job and career but raised the debate on accountability to the next level. The impunity with which politicians and administrators operate and get out of any inquiry safely requires a body with powers to nail them. Its ironic that in a case of corruption,Lokayukta Hegde had to resign while the politician continues in office,influencing the outcome of the case. The cynicism of the average person is abetted by such happenings.
Ashok Goswami
Small town tales
This refers to Transforming sanitation scenarios in cities (IE, June 30). Kudos to the dynamic leadership of the mayor of Alandur. The people of Alandur are worthy of praise for joining hands and rising above a despicable situation. Imagine,in this 21st century,small towns in India continue with open sewarage systems. We live in Bhusawal,an important railway junction of Maharashtra,in a decent township yet it is shocking to see the open sewerage flowing in front of our house. How can we feel proud of our economically advancing country,whose opinion matters in worldwide forums,when sanitation in small towns is so pathetic?
Ameeta Nair
Bhusaval
Sainas run
Three cheers to Saina for creating history. Within three weeks she has won the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold title,the Singapore Open Series Tournament and the Indonesian Open which makes her only the second Indian to win three international events in a row,after Prakash Padukone in 1980. Its worth mentioning that she has had an unbeaten run of 15 matches. A lot is expected from her in the Paris World Championship and the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Suman Kukal
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