Mailbag

Essence of education

Sir,

This is with reference to Prof K L Bhalla's article titled-'Right type of education' published in your esteemed daily on Dec. 23, 2004. It has been learnt that the essence of true education lies in one's powers of resolving internal-conflicts, see things alright, understanding responsibilities and to develop reasonable attitudes to solve problems of life.

The author who himself is a renowned educationist has laid stress on one thing, i.e Education must aim to liberating the mind. A liberated mind alone can see, analyses and infer rightly. He has also suggested that education must prepare us for the creative enjoyment of life through religious spirit, scientific attitude and a spiritual bent of mind.

The writer has outrightly pointed that the teachers being builders of the nation have a greater responsibility in shaping bright and glorious future of the country. Being Nation-Builders, the quality of future citizens and destiny of a nation would be adjudged purely on the basis of teaching and learning. He has a word of advice for the teaching fraternity. He asks them to be disciplined charactered and punctual in their duties as this alone will set an example for the students. Lastly, he says that an educationist has knowledge, he has the power to influence the soul, the mind, for good or for evil, so all the efforts of teachers as well as parents be utilised in right direction for achieving the primary object of education.

It is a matter of pride that the educationists like Prof. Bhalla from time to time, through their write-ups, bell the cat to improve the lot in the education field.

Yours etc...
Pradyot Gupta
230, Rehari Colony
Jammu

Human Rights violation

Sir,

The recent Human Rights violation dharnas by the separatist parties and National Conference belie the actual intimidation of masses by the brutal acts of terrorists. How can these parties condone the inhuman act of terrorists, while highlighting isolated incidents of HR abuses by security forces? Human Right Violations are a blot on the face of humanity irrespective of whosoever is indulging in it. So, it would have been appreciated by all and sundry if these dharnas and protests had also highlighted brutal incidents of terrorist violence besides the Human Right Violence by security forces in the State.

Yours etc...
Rakesh Pant,
Greater Kailash,
Jammu

Stop out of turn promotion

Sir,

I would like to urge that J&K Government and Higher authorities of Police Department that the practice to give one rank up to the official who comeout as all-round best in the indoor/outdoor and Range Classification tests conducted during the final Test of Basic Recruitment Training course at various Police training centres/institutes across the state, needs to be stopped. The simple reason for this is that owing to malpractices adopted by the examination Boards, the real all-rounder hardly gets his due share. The J&K Police has witnessed many passing out parades in the different training institutes, but no one has thought over this fact that whether the all-round bests are choosen farely? Lastly I would like to mention herein that if the present Government is really interested in making the Police really a dynamic force, the practice of out-of turn promotion to the all round best trainees during P.O.Ps be stopped otherwise the status of J&K Police will worsen very soon.

Yours etc...
S K Pandita,
Rajpura Jammu.

Diabetes on rise

Sir,

This has reference to the news items "Diabetes in young on rise'' published in the Daily Excelsior.

It is truly an alarming situation. This is due to the fact that lifestyle of people has changed tremendously. People would like to have gossips, waste their time before TVs but don't like to do physical work or go for exercises.

Moreover, food habits are changing. The mushrooming of junk food joints is indication in this manner. Experts believe that junk food is not beneficial for health. Since young get attracted to this food, they may naturally fell prey to diseases.

Therefore to check diabetes, it is essential that an awareness campaign in this regard be launched vigorously throughout state rather throughout the country before it may assume gigantic proportions like that of AIDS, now difficult to contain.

Yours etc...
Rajinder Sharma
Janipura Jammu.

Noise pollution in Jammu city

Sir,

Over the last decade Jammu has urbarnised fast. This urbanisation has brought so many problems. One of them being pollution. Noise pollution in Jammu has received quite a bit of attention in last one year, thanks mainly to one of the surveys regarding the noise pollution in the Daily Excelsior. As rightly pointed out in that article the level of noise pollution in many parts of Jammu has crossed the threshold level. This is a cause of concern for public in general and pollution control authorities in particular. Noise pollution with which we are mostly involved in is due to automobiles. Noise of sufficient intensity over a prolonged period of time is enough to cause damage to our ear. In addition to that noises of lesser intensity is not only a cause of annoyance but also a cause of psychological disturbances.

All of us have had a chance of going through some degree of annoyance while going through the busy road crossings in Jammu. Now imagine what will be our fate in we suffer the same annoyance throughout the day.

So what is the remedy? The answer lies in educating the masses in general and the traffic people in particular. Examples can be drawn from other states in the country where a ban or some sort of restriction is being imposed in the use of things like pressure horns.

It is high time that we understand the ramifications of noise pollution and find a way out.

Yours
S N Raina
H.No. 5/12 Swaran Vihar
Jammu.