Opinion Spot booking
The proposed establishment of 14 innovation universities is a remarkable step. Further,the decision to establish an innovation university in Orissa is satisfying as the state is at the bottom in gross enrolment ratio....
The proposed establishment of 14 innovation universities is a remarkable step. Further,the decision to establish an innovation university in Orissa is satisfying as the state is at the bottom in gross enrolment ratio. But the question is whether the Union government is ready to think beyond state capitals and create islands of excellence in places which remain backward,but still hold promise. Why use the old method of leaving the decision of suitable locations at the hands of state leaders? In fact,in states like Orissa,the government thinks the capital has first claim for national institutes. This capital-centric approach will also come to the fore when innovation universities are established.
The HRD ministry should constitute teams that will minutely inspect alternative places before deciding on exact locations. The Central government should include Tampara Bay,Orissas Goa,near Berhampur as one of the locations that deserve an honest inspection. Berhampur city is close enough to the state capital and Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) region,which till now does not have a Centrally funded institute. The idea of innovation universities should not be allowed to fail by handpicking places that already have a cluster of Centrally funded institutions.
Anirvan Mishra
Berhampur
Come together
The BJPs olive branch to the Congress in praising the Union home minister for handling internal security appreciably well deserves to be welcomed (Modi,BJP CMs praise Centres internal security upgrade,positive response,IE,February 8). The issue of internal security is close to the BJPs heart,which has never spared an opportunity to use it as a tool to beat the minority community with. If its a change of heart on the part of the BJP to perform the role a constructive opposition more seriously in a functioning democracy its indeed a welcome break. India is passing through a critical period. On terrorism,political parties need to rise above narrow political agendas and work together. Inflation is a far more serious area of concern affecting all sections. Parties must show concern for the people and attack it headlong,instead of the present blame-game.
Bichu Muttathara
Defeat total
The way the Indian cricket team crashed to a humiliating innings and six-run defeat to South Africa at the Nagpur Test,raises fingers at its capability of defending the No 1 Test rank. Credit goes to the efforts of the South African team for handing India its first Test defeat under M.S. Dhoni. No doubt,the Proteas beat India in all departments of the game. While Indian bowlers were quite unimpressive,South African bowlers,particularly Steyn and Harris,devastated the Indian batting line-up. In addition,this defeat proves that India missed Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman,who were the backbone of the middle order.
Manoj Parashar
Greater Noida
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