Mailbag

Teaching Environment Science

Sir,

Today the term environment has its on importance. Every nation is trying its best to protect its environment. Generally environment means "the surrounding". Ecologically "it is the sum total of all physical, chemical and biological factors which surround an organism and have an influence over it." Various countries of the world are holding discussions, seminars and conferences on this vital issue. Various agencies NGOs and State Governments are playing a vital role in creating awareness for the protection of environment, among common masses.

The Apex Court of our country in a decision asked to every State Government to implement a well planned programme to create awareness among children, school going students, Govt. employees for the protection of our environment. In 1992 its again asked to all State Governments to introduce environment science as a compulsory subject in all the secondary, higher secondary schools and at college level but our State Government failed to implement the order.

In August the Academic Committee of JKBOSE made environment science as a fifth compulsory subject but later on withheld its decision and made it optional. At last, it is the State Government who has to come forward, introduce the environment science as fifth subject in higher schools. This will be really a big step towards the protection of environment.

Yours etc......
Pawan Kumar Sharma
Kalah (Khour) Akhnoor.

Be modern in thinking

Sir,

Present age is the modern age. Every individual wants to be forward in every sphere of life. When he, she tries to imbibe the western culture or adopts foreign dress code, it is said to be modernisation. But it is westernisation.

Today girls have adopted the male dress code; wearing jeans, having hair cut and putting up lace shoes instead of chappals or sandals. Boys grow their hair very long and use rubber band to comb it like ladies. Ladies are seen smoking cigarettes and other docile ladies around them say: "they are modern."

Modernisation does not totally mean westernisation but when we start adopting western trends of life so as to be modern we forget our own cultural ethos. To own Westernisation for becoming modern is not fair.

Modernisation is not totally Westernisation, we should be modern of course in our thought, educational field and technology but we should not westernise our culture.

To be modern is a quality in itself. The fast changing trends in life style help in many ways to be socially and economically better but culturally may not be so better. Modern in every respect of life without cultural aspect is definitely a quality in itself

Modern means one who are modern by his/her thoughts (who have liberal views) discarding old beliefs and superstitions. But now-a-days people think that the people who are wearing fashionable dresses are modern. Modernisation.

Modernisation has helped our society to gain momentary applause but this is not everlasting.

Yours etc.......
Sushma Koul Premi
Manorama Vihar Bohri Chungi,
Jammu.

Adjustment of Agri Technocrats

Sir,

It is fact that the unemployment scenario in the State is alarming and becoming a big issue. The Government is not so serious in finding ways of its minimisation. No doubt, the Government has taken many steps to streamline the education department by way of opening more schools/colleges and by appointing teachers. However, some other deptts. may also need to be streamlined.

The Horticulture Deptt. also needs re-organisation particularly at the grass root level for transfer of Horticulture technology and its practical skills. Because the Horticulture Development Officers who are posted at the Block level are not provided with sufficient technical material for dissemination of Horticultural technology to all the villages in respect of the block.

It is, therefore, suggested that the Agri technocrats who are also well versed with the subject may also be engaged in the Horticulture Deptt. at the Panchayat levels or at potential areas in each block. By this way, the Government could strengthen Horticulture Deptt. and minimise the unemployment among agri. technocrats.

Yours etc......
Adarsh Kour
R S Pura.