Ties that bind
Let us appreciate and apply the out-of-the-box strategy that defuses tensions between India and China. It must be used to address the issue of Chinas nuclear assistance to Pakistan as well,mentioned by Raja Menon in his article (Not the border,nor the ocean,IE,April 12). According to this strategy,socio-economic ties and people-to-people contact with neighbouring countries were encouraged,irrespective of the governments in power. Social and cultural ties at the grassroot level will compel governments to slow down the arms race in the subcontinent. Such ties can play a pivotal role in foreign policy.
Ajay K. Gupta
Bharuch
In a spot
WAS the BJPs move to bring Modi to centrestage a bit premature? It was probably intended to unsettle the Congress and prompt the party to announce its own prime ministerial candidate. But the move seems to have backfired. Instead of unsettling the UPA,it has created more chaos in the NDA camp. Nitish Kumars JD(U) and other allies are now pressuring the BJP to officially name its PM candidate. The BJP is now in a spot. If it names Modi as PM hopeful,it could lose some of its key allies. If it does not,it could lose voters who are waiting for Modi.
Abdul Monim
Vashi
School of thought
I AGREE with Yamini Aiyars article Not by inputs alone (IE,April 10). While facilities such as toilets and drinking water are necessary,they do not guarantee a quality education. The main problem is that our school system is controlled by an administration unable to identify the reasons for steadily deteriorating learning levels and low employability levels.Each student is an independent entity,with her own learning capacities,her own degree of aptitude and her own preferences in terms of subjects. These factors are not incorporated into policies introduced by the Centre or the states. The good news is that the RTEs weaknesses are slowly being recognised. But to move faster,the state and Central governments could consider giving up their stranglehold on pedagogical strategies.
G.M. Paranjpe
Herculean task
THIS refers to the editorial Outrage in Bulandshahr ( IE,April 11). India needs a better first point of entry for complaints. For women living in rural areas,going to the police station is a fearful proposition. Moreover,it cannot always be assumed women police officers will be more sympathetic to complaints. In many police stations in India,the approach of the personnel varies according to the class and creed of the victim. Powerful goons and small-time politicians also influence the police. So victims and their kin are unable to have their voices heard at a higher level or go to the appropriate courts for justice. It is easy to talk of sensitising police personnel; making it possible is a herculean task.
Ganapathi Bhat,Akola
