Opinion Start from scratch

The curriculum,teaching and evaluation in schools and colleges must undergo a fundamental change for this.

The Indian Express

January 13, 2012 03:08 AM IST First published on: Jan 13, 2012 at 03:08 AM IST

Start from scratch

Regarding The lab in a bubble (IE,January 12),we have to understand that the main driving force behind research is the innovative spirit of youngsters. To cure our ailing R&D,we have to revamp our education system from primary school to postgraduate level in a way that it encourages original thinking and application of concepts to real-life situations. The curriculum,teaching and evaluation in schools and colleges must undergo a fundamental change for this.

Rajashree Pande

Mumbai

For childs sake

Its a pity that while foodgrains rot,42 per cent of our children are malnourished. Though successive governments have taken steps to improve the dietary intake of children through the Integrated Child Development Scheme and midday-meal scheme,they have failed to implement them uniformly and in increasing the awareness of people. Why is nutrition not part of any party manifesto? If citizens are not in sound health,how can a country become a superpower?

Bidyut K. Chatterjee

Faridabad

Mammoth step

Apropos the editorial Close your eyes (IE,January 10),the election symbol,no doubt,is meant to help voters identify the candidate of their choice. But symbols have assumed greater significance. It is evident in the rows of elephant statues in the parks of UP. It is a sheer misuse of public funds to promote Mayawatis political ambitions. The ECs action to cover these statues is commendable.

Satwant S. Kalkat

Ludhiana

Clashing symbols

Apropos Pink plastic for elephants,cloth for Maya in Noida (IE,January 10),the EC would require tonnes of plastic to cover up all the bicycles in UP and then it will have to issue a warning to elders not to raise their palms in blessing during the period. In fact,bicycle-riding should be banned to provide a level-playing field.

Kedarnath R. Aiyar

Mumbai

Eating orders

India as a nation is becoming more intolerant,and the secular nature of government getting more diluted. Laws like the cow slaughter prohibition act have only reinforced the fears of minorities.

A.Z. Phizo,a separatist leader of Nagaland,once proclaimed that India would force the Nagas to follow the customs of Hindus and dictate to them what they may or may not eat. (Beef-eating is part of Naga customs and culture.) I fear that day is fast approaching.

R.T. Kithan

Kohima

Slam dung

Since charity begins at home,the Madhya Pradesh politicians who extolled the benefits of cow dung should practise what they preach. Plaster the house with dung,for starters. Then do something about the monumental waste of this precious resource.

Saleem Khan

Pune