EDITORIAL

Think over it

Two important steps need to be taken now that the State is heading for expansion of railway network. One is that Jammu should be converted into a divisional railway headquarters. The other is that diesel engines should give way to electric ones. Right now the operations concerning the State are controlled from Ferozepur in Punjab. In the happily changed circumstances it has started looking like a long distance. No doubt the divisional railway headquarters in the town in the adjoining State has served us for very long. Certainly it can't be faulted if the train to this city and its subsequent expansion to Udhampur have been inordinately delayed. The reasons for the slow pace of work earlier are rooted in . ......more

A matter of habit?

A conscientious media professional on becoming a minister told his wife after his first day in office that he had an extremely well decorated room at his disposal. Pat came the advice: "Don't make it a habit." Perks are given to ministers and other government functionaries to help them efficiently discharge their duties. These are meant to last as long as they discharge their responsibilities. Often, however, we come across tales of politicians and other celebrities clinging to their bungalows even after they have ceased to be eligible. One also keeps hearing about their telephone arrears piling up. Some of them refuse to give up their vehicles. Instead, they choose to face the embarrassment of their cars being withdrawn without being even informed. Now we learn that the state of affairs in "Azad" Kashmir, as the occupied territory across the Line of Control is known,........more

Composite dialogue

By Ajay Kaul

After a disruption of four months, India and Pakistan are talking again and Pakistan has been put on test on ending cross-border terrorism, this time of its own willing. With the setting up of the Indo-Pak joint mechanism to fight terrorism, the onus will now be on Pakistan to prove that it is really sincere in combating the scourge against India emanating from it soil. . ...more

Revise educational priorities

By Umashankar Joshi

At first glance it indeed seems heartening that the number of educational institutions in India is growing by leaps and bounds. The last 10- years in particular have witnessed a bumper crop of both junior and degree colleges as well as coaching centres. However, on closer scrutiny one would find that this expansion of higher education has not been all that healthy.. .......more

Road accidents

By Lt Col Karam Chand (Retd.)

The unabated occurrence of road accidents concerns every conscientious person in the society. Everyday we are losing previous lives/limbs and costly equipment because of road accidents which are ought to be minimised to the utmost possible extent.

In my earlier write-up published in one of your esteemed papers sometime back, I have brought out some of the possible causes leading to serious/fatal road accidents. Now in this write-up I shall be putting forth . ......more

EDITORIAL

Think over it

Two important steps need to be taken now that the State is heading for expansion of railway network. One is that Jammu should be converted into a divisional railway headquarters. The other is that diesel engines should give way to electric ones. Right now the operations concerning the State are controlled from Ferozepur in Punjab. In the happily changed circumstances it has started looking like a long distance. No doubt the divisional railway headquarters in the town in the adjoining State has served us for very long. Certainly it can't be faulted if the train to this city and its subsequent expansion to Udhampur have been inordinately delayed. The reasons for the slow pace of work earlier are rooted in the lack of requisite political will. It should be treated as a thing of the past. One can notice an earnest speed these days. There is not only a desire to take the train across the mighty Pir Panjal but also a noticeable missionary zeal to complete the task. At this rate it is considered a certainty that the Kashmir region will have its first train early next year as planned. The Valley provides a good track for this mode of travel. There can't be two opinions about this. In the meantime the steps will continue to tame the mighty barrier between the two regions on either side of the Jawahar Tunnel. At the same time it should be possible to prepare a plan for providing the facility in Leh district. Like Srinagar and its vicinity Leh too has a large chunk of flat surface. It can be given the benefit even as a scheme is devised to expand the line from Srinagar via Kargil on the lines of the one currently being implemented between Udhampur and Qazigund. All this will become easy if Jammu is upgraded and given its due status on the railway map of the country. Its elevation will result in closer look on developmental projects besides improvement of amenities for millions of pilgrims and tourists visiting the State every year.

One is constrained to point out another anomaly in the existing scenario. Indeed, it is odd that diesel engines should continue to be employed to pull the trains into the State. Why should these not be replaced by electric machines in vogue elsewhere in the country? In fact, the part of Punjab also is being serviced by such outdated apparatus. Diesel engines are in use all the way from Jalandhar to Udhampur. One learns that these will be functioning in the Valley as well. Ostensibly this is being done without application of mind to their hazardous influences on environment. By its own admission the Railway Ministry has enormous financial resources at its disposal. Its mandarins should have little difficulty in creating the necessary infrastructure for plying electric engines. Power appliances drive railway bogies from Jalandhar to Amritsar. Why should an identical system be not put in place from Jalandhar to Udhampur and beyond? Atmospheric pollution is best avoided everywhere. It is all the more essential in the case of the State. What is this land without its scenic splendour?

Immediate correction should be made in this instance. Progress has to be accompanied by visible concern for safety of surroundings. It must be regulated in a manner that doubles its positive effect. One-way approach can only be counter-productive in the long run.

A matter of habit?

A conscientious media professional on becoming a minister told his wife after his first day in office that he had an extremely well decorated room at his disposal. Pat came the advice: "Don't make it a habit." Perks are given to ministers and other government functionaries to help them efficiently discharge their duties. These are meant to last as long as they discharge their responsibilities. Often, however, we come across tales of politicians and other celebrities clinging to their bungalows even after they have ceased to be eligible. One also keeps hearing about their telephone arrears piling up. Some of them refuse to give up their vehicles. Instead, they choose to face the embarrassment of their cars being withdrawn without being even informed. Now we learn that the state of affairs in "Azad" Kashmir, as the occupied territory across the Line of Control is known, is even worse. The leaders there have developed a fascination for imported vehicles Since Pakistan is not a major manufacturer of indigenous cars it brings the choicest models from other countries. One can see any number of foreign makes in Pakistan and "Azad" Kashmir. Big news in Muzaffarabad these days is that Sardar Mohammad Anwar Khan, former "President" of "Azad" Kashmir has yet to return an official vehicle. He has been out of office for well over two months but is still keeping two limousines given to him in his official capacity. He has deafened himself to the pleas for returning them. According to the law in "Azad" Kashmir ex-"Presidents" are not entitled to official cars while former "Prime Ministers" are. This legislation is of recent origin and provides all those who have held the elected post of the "PM" to a vehicle along with pension and other services. As a result new cars are being ordered from abroad for three ex-"PMs" namely Sardar Abdul Qayum Khan (his politician-son Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan presently holds the post), Barrister Sultan Mahmood and the previous incumbent, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan during whose tenure from 2001 to 2006 the relevant Act was passed. Sardar Sikandar had actually taken a huge car along with him on moving out of the top slot. But he returned it not because he had found it too luxurious as a common citizen but because it developed a mechanical snag. Sardar Anwar's query seems to be: if former "PMs" can keep cars why can't those like him who have been "Heads of the State?" When in office he was fond of describing himself as the only "Sadar-e-Riyasat" of the State --- a claim that would invite derision. He is insisting that the Government should amend the law to include former "Presidents". It is only too well known that he is fond of listening to his own voice. Not surprisingly, he is oblivious of what others say. He must be cursing former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had withdrawn the privilege given to "AK Presidents" to import one duty-free car for their personal use.

Does this not sound interesting? When it comes to individual comforts the politicians refuse to rise above the ordinary. Is this not malady typical of the sub-continent?

Composite dialogue

By Ajay Kaul

After a disruption of four months, India and Pakistan are talking again and Pakistan has been put on test on ending cross-border terrorism, this time of its own willing.

With the setting up of the Indo-Pak joint mechanism to fight terrorism, the onus will now be on Pakistan to prove that it is really sincere in combating the scourge against India emanating from it soil.

India has in fact already set the ball rolling by presenting evidence to Pakistan with regard to linkages that country has with terror acts over the last one year.

The evidence in the cases like terror attacks in Varanasi and Delhi and Mysore was given even as the two sides agreed on the shape of the mechanism during the Foreign Secretary- level talks.

The decision to set up the mechanism was taken when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Havana in September on the sidelines of the NAM Summit.

The decision to establish the mechanism provided an argument to the two countries to resume the composite dialogue which had been frozen after the July 11 Mumbai blasts.

As the two countries took first step towards cooperation in fighting terror, India asked Pakistan to end activities of terror groups based in that country.

At the two-day talks between the Foreign Secretaries, the two sides spent considerable time in discussing terrorism and later said they ‘‘need to effectively deal with it’’.

They set up a three-member anti-terror mechanism to be headed by Additional Secretaries in the respective Foreign Ministries. Its mandate would be to consider counter-terrorism measures, including the ‘‘regular and timely’’ sharing of information.

The machanism will hold its first meeting next month and the UPA Government, which has a lot at stake, will surely be hoping that it works and produces results. The Manmohan Singh Government is already under attack from opposition BJP which alleges that it is soft on terror and confused on dealing with Pakistan.

The BJP and experts have questioned the justification to set up the mechanism when the two countries have already been discussing terrorism at a higher level of Home Secretaries. Terrorism is one of the eight issues being discussed by the two countries under the composite dialogue.

In fact, setting up the joint mechanism means shifting the issue from the Home Ministries to the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

Critics wonder what would the joint mechanism do when Pakistan has all through been in denial mode about existence of cross- border terrorism, forget about taking steps to end it.

But the Government says that the mechanism provides an ‘‘address’’ for redressal of India's concerns and insists that these is no harm in giving it a try.

The Foreign Secretary said Islamabad was asked to put an end to the activities of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba based in Pakistan and working against India, two or three of which have already been banned there.

Pakistan asked for specific information which was provided, he said, adding it would have to be seen what Islamabad does.

He said terrorism exists in Pakistan as well which was for Islamabad to tackle as a ‘‘sovereign’’ country. But India is seeking action in terrorism crossing over to this country, he said.

Replying to questions, he said India had handed over to Pakistan evidence with regard to Pakistani linkages to terror acts here. The issue of Mumbai blasts was raised by India and discussed but evidence could not be given as chargesheet is yet to be filed in the case. To a question, he said India was not concerned about who controls the terror groups and simply wanted action against them. At a separate press conference, Khan said ‘‘some material’’ was given by the Indian side but it did not relate to the Mumbai blasts. The material referred to certain linkages of banned groups in India and Pakistan. He said the material will be passed on to experts for action.

Menon said written evidence was given to Pakistan about terror cases of last one year in which investigations have been completed and chargesheet filed. Written evidence with regard to the July 11 Mumbai blasts could not be given as chargesheet has not been filed yet and could have hampered legal processes in the case here.

The press statement said the two countries exchanged views on the Jammu and Kashmir issue ‘‘in the spirit’’ of the Havana decision when the leaders agreed that the two sides would hold ‘‘purposeful’’ discussions, build on convergences and narrow down divergences.

‘‘They agreed to fully implement measures to enhance interaction and cooperation across the Line of Control including the early operationalisation of truck service for trade on agreed items,’’ the statement said.

Experts from the two countries will meet on December 22-23 to decide on the coordinates for joint survey of Sir Creek and adjoining areas ‘‘without prejudice to each other's position, as well as to simultaneously conduct discussions on the Maritime boundary’’. The joint survey is to be completed by February, 2007.

The two sides initialled the agreement on reducing the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons and agreed on its early signing.

Terrorism exists in Pakistan as well but that was for Islamabad to tackle as its own problem. India is seeking action in terrorism crossing over to this country.

On Siachen, there was ‘‘still a gap in positions’’ of the two countries, belying Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri who had been claiming that the resolution of the vexed issue is just a matter of days.

The two countries had agreed last year to demilitarise the world's highest battlefield but have failed to arrive at a consensus on how to proceed.

India, wary of the 1999 Kargil experience, insists that demilitarisation can take place only after Pakistan agrees to proper authentication of present troop deployment of the two countries.

PTI Feature

Revise educational priorities

By Umashankar Joshi

At first glance it indeed seems heartening that the number of educational institutions in India is growing by leaps and bounds. The last 10- years in particular have witnessed a bumper crop of both junior and degree colleges as well as coaching centres. However, on closer scrutiny one would find that this expansion of higher education has not been all that healthy.

There are now nearly 200 universities in India and more than 7,000 colleges in which are enrolled about five million students. Out of this enrolment, more than 88 per cent of the students are pursuing graduate courses and about 10 per cent post-graduate courses, with only 1.1 per cent engaged in research work.

This quantitative growth, though impressive, also reveals several weaknesses, some serious and of a far-reaching nature. The proliferation of universities and colleges, particularly in the cities and towns, has been haphazard and unplanned. In many instances, infrastructural facilities are woefully inadequate in colleges. They are housed in rented premises in residential buildings and have no playgrounds or other facilities.

The modalities of admission, especially to medical and engineering colleges, are far from satisfactory. In a number of cases the managements are not only inefficient but also corrupt and class and caste ridden. The standards of teaching and behaviours have considerably gone down.

In allowing such haphazard expansion of higher education, and then not exercising supervision and control, the state governments and the universities have been flouting provisions of the education acts and university laws.

The time has come to examine the real educational needs of the Indian society and re-set priorities accordingly. The basic question is whether we should encourage further expansion of higher education or concentrate more on planned growth of literacy, pre-school and elementary school education.

It is obvious that the first priority has to be accorded to the spread of literacy. The definition of which requires to be radically changed in view of India's new economic policy.

Year after year the number of illiterates in India has been growing. According to a study by the United Nations, the main reason for this is the alarmingly high rate of school drop-outs. In the first place, 25 per cent of children in India do not enter any school. And then, of those who are enrolled, only 52 per cent actually finish five years of primary education, and those who drop out 48 per cent soon relapse into illiteracy.

The poverty argument is only a belief widely held in our country, it does not hold well in reality. It is apathy on the part of the governments, parents and private educational institutions that is responsible for the rising level of illiteracy.

An important stage in education, which has been sidelined, is pre-schooling. Although Article 45 of our Constitution, which has set the goal of free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14, does not exclude children below six years, the state governments do not have any policy or programmes in regard to pre-primary education. As a result, a wild growth of pre-schools of various kinds, lacking even in basic facilities, has been taking place, especially in cities and towns. This can cause damage to the whole educational system.

The Supreme Court recently held that primary education is a fundamental right of every child in India. But primary schools suffer from neglect, which is obvious. About 40 per cent of the six lakh or more primary schools in the country do not have secure buildings. In fact, in the case of about 8 per cent of them, located in rural areas, classes are held in the open air without any basic apparatus. There are 4.31 lakh primary schools in the rural areas, but of them 62 per cent lack provision of drinking water and 30 per cent are without lavatories.

The allocation of funds in the education sector would also make clear the imbalanced priorities set by the Planning Commission. In the course of the last four decades the budget for primary education has dropped from 56 per cent to 28 per cent of the total allocation for education, while that for higher education has risen from 8 per cent to 18 per cent. It is not without significance that while primary education has grown only three-fold, higher education has grown more than six-fold.

Though the allocation for primary education in each Plan may appear a little more than that for higher education, in the final analysis it would be seen that while 94 per cent of the children in primary schools get about 45 per cent of the total amount, the remaining 4 per cent in higher education receive 25 per cent of the cake. Priority has always been accorded to higher education, and very little attention is being paid to the vast problem of illiteracy, pre-school and elementary education.

The language of early childhood experience is a strong influencing factor. If this is ignored by the authorities, the minority group children are bound to feel that they are being subjected to collective discrimination. Unless, therefore, the majority groups cooperate with the linguistic minorities and help them improve their lot, social tensions might explode and affect the very foundation of the society, including the interest of the privileged majority group.

Thus, elementary education in all its aspects constitutes the most fundamental problem in our educational system, the magnitude of which is yet to be realised. So far socio-economic and socio-cultural factors have played a marginal role in educational planning, pre-school being ignored and elementary education neglected. It is imperative that both governments and private institutions correct this distortion and accord topmost priority to this stage of education without further loss of time. INAV

 

Road accidents

By Lt Col Karam Chand (Retd.)

The unabated occurrence of road accidents concerns every conscientious person in the society. Everyday we are losing previous lives/limbs and costly equipment because of road accidents which are ought to be minimised to the utmost possible extent.

In my earlier write-up published in one of your esteemed papers sometime back, I have brought out some of the possible causes leading to serious/fatal road accidents. Now in this write-up I shall be putting forth some of the positive measures to be observed by one and all whoever happens to drive a vehicle (4-wheeler or two wheeler). And I am sure if these measures are practised honestly and intelligently occurance of road accidents can be avoided to the maximum number. These measures are explained in the succeeding paragraphs in the form of Do's (what should be done) and Don'ts (what should not be done).

Do's: Before taking out the vehicle from house/garage ensure that the tyres of the vehicle have the required air pressure, fuel in the tank, whether lighting systems works, horn works properly, and if not defect should be rectified well before leaving the starting point. A driver should always be in possession of his Driving Licence, R. C. (Registration Certificate) and Issurance Policy of the vehicle. All these documents should be updated. Wear seat belt before driving the vehicle. Give more -signal before moving the vehicle. Give signal when intending to turn to right or left with light indicator or hand. Before overtaking the preceding vehicle blow a long horn and draw your vehicle a little to the right so that the driver of the vehicle infront could see your vehicle through his driving mirror. One getting the indication from the driver do the overtaking use dipper light at night repeatedly to indicate that you want to overtake the vehicle running in front. Always keep to the left while driving. "Always wear crash helmet" while driving on a two-wheeler (M/C, Scooter). Eye sight should be got checked at least every 6 monthly. When approaching cross roads, slowdown and look to the right and the left to make sure that no vehicle is coming along the other side before moving on. Pay attention to the road signs put up on the road side indicating a sharp curve, school T-junction, hospital, crowded area. Railways Crossing etc and act accordingly. Pay attention to traffic signal and traffic light signals.

Give pass-signal to the vehicle following you if requesting for an overtake. Be considerate to cyclists, pedestrians, childrens, old persons and animals. Slow down and move past quietly when overtaking animals, driven cart so that the animal is not disturbed with a sudden horn sound. Dip headlights for the vehicle coming from the front so that he can see his side of the road comfortably and clearly at night, put the parking light on when parking the vehicle at the roadside at night. Overtake if desired always from the right of the vehicle, ahead. Blow the horn early enough and from a reasonable distance (10-15 Mtrs) so that the other road user clears the way for you. Negotiate the bends a the slow speed. Make sure that the way is clear before you take a turn/reverse your vehicle.

Right of the way:

Remember the 'Right of the way' rule; (a) a vehicle moving on the road has the right of the way over a vehicle coming out of any premises and intending to enter the road; (b) at crossroads a vehicle on a major road has the right of the way over a vehicle on a minor road, (c) a vehicle running straight on the road has the right of the way over a vehicle which has to take a turn; (d) at a round-about, a vehicle which has entered the carriage way of the round-about and is on the right of the one approaching the record about has the right of the way over the latter; (e) at pedestrians crossing, pedestrians have the right of the way, over the vehicle and therefore slow down and let the pedestrians cross over; (f) Ambulance vehicle and the 'Fire Brigade" vehicle should be given the right of the way; (g) In hilly area a vehicle going up-hill has the right of the way over the vehicle coming down-hill.

Switch off the engine when talking to somebody who happens to meet you on the road side. This would help in saving costly fuel. Slow down while driving past a funeral procession. Stop to render "First -Aid" to the injured in case of an unfortunate accident and take the injured to the nearest "medical Aid Post"

Don'ts:

Donot overspeed your vehicle and also exceed speed limit indicated on the road signs at certain points and places. A majority of accidents take place due to overspeeding. Don't drive in the middle of the road. Always keeps to your left giving due regards to the pedestrians walking on the road sides/pavement. Don't bully the oncoming vehicle by remaining in the middle of the road or scare him with flash of Head lights. Its a had etiquette. Don't park in the middle of the road and 'or near curb/sharp bend. Dont' overtake unless you have been given the signal by the driver of the vehicle running in front of you to do so. Don't overtake on narrow bridges. Don't overtake from the left of the vehicle being driven before you at any cost. It is dangerous to do so. Never know the driver of the vehicle ahead night stop his vehicle by pulling it to the left and you happen to collide with it. Avoid overtaking a vehicle particularly a passenger vehicle from the left which stop at a point to allow a passenger to deliver. You may hit the person coming out of the vehicle. The two-wheeler drivers often commit this serious mistake occasionally in a hurry.

Donot operate your Mobile phone while driving a two-wheeler or fourwheeler. Stop and then do it to avoid untoward mishap. Don't switch off the engine of the vehicle while driving down hill. It is seen some of the people drag their scooter/motor cycle in the middle of the road stop and start discussing the things with others causing a hindrance to other road users. It should not be done. Pull your vehicle to one side of the road.

Suggestions:

As the roads are already heavily crowded. I put up certain viable and valuable suggestions for smooth sailing of the vehicular traffic and on the top of it, suggestions make would also help in saving costly fuel.

Existing roads should be widened to 4/6 lanes. The overbridges and flyovers should be constructed at vulnerable points when considered essential. The "Zebra crossing points should be pointed prominently enough at accident prone places on the road so that the drivers exercise utmost care to negotiate such points.

Minimise the use of personal vehicle, for example a person going for shopping must prepare a list of articles of necessity to be purchased from the market before moving out so that he doesn't have to visit the market repeatedly. One must share the vehicle with his friend/neighbour when convenient this would help in saving fuel and also alleviate the congestion of traffic to some extent.

All said and done the accidents take place by a communication of some primary causes and contributory conditions which should be taken care of. Human element plays an important part in perennation of over 90 percent of road accidents you may be a good driver possessing exceptional driving skill, yet the accident occur sometimes due to the negligency or the error of other road user.

All the above combined together play an important role to minimise the rate of road accidents, thereby saving life, limbs and property.

Keeping in view the overcrowded roads by the vehicular traffic of feel; the golden rule to prevent road accident is:

"Bacho Aur Bachao Gari Sambhal Kar Chalao"



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