Kerala   

Discipline the police

Discipline

the police

It is shocking to hear that more than 600 police personnel involved in criminal cases, including SIs, CIs and Dy.SPs, are still continuing in service and no action has been initiated against them. The information furnished by the Home Minister during the current session of the Assembly points to a simple truth — no ruler has dared to take action against such officials, for, they need their services, particularly when they shift loyalties. No action can be initiated against these officials as long as associations of police officials are formed on the basis of the colour of flags, parties, etc.

Junior police officials are placed under suspension if they are found to be involved in any such case. Strangely, no action has been taken against these officials.

In this context, I suggest that the police force be brought under the direct control of the Union Government as in the case of the armed forces.

T.V.R. Potti

Thiruvananthapuram

Erosion of values

Notwithstanding our high literacy rate and positive economic indicators, Malayalis in Kerala are of late heading for total self-inflicted injury. I mention this in the recent context of suicides, violence and theft, not to speak of the wanton moral degradation of sexual violence involving children.

Undoubtedly, these tendencies lower our image and threaten to be our undoing. As a person who has spent a considerable part of my life outside Kerala, I feel ashamed at these events. There was a time way back in the Twenties, when though we were poor, we had some self-esteem and a community belonging, which is totally absent now. There is a strong case for the elderly to take the lead in getting rid of these evils.

Capt. (rtd.) O. Mathai

Thiruvananthapuram

Set standards

in education

Education is in the concurrent list and therefore the Union Government can legislate. Being a policy matter, this requires detailed discussion and more thinking. The spirit of the Constitution appears to be that higher education should be available to those eligible for it. It has not achieved the status of a Fundamental Right. The President of India has emphasised that there should be more allotment for education. It is the duty of the State to provide opportunities for higher education to its citizens. The Government should not go back from that responsibility and invite foreign universities to function freely. The term `University' has necessarily a universal implication. But administrative and academic reasons have set jurisdictional limits for universities to function. Conventional affiliating universities had made it mandatory that their permission be sought for the functioning of another educational institution within their territorial limits. Globalisation has broken such barriers. The satellite and Internet can cross any geographical boundaries. On-line facility is available anywhere.

The State of Kerala can be proud of its higher educational facilities. It has set a higher education council to advise the Government on policies in the field. With the establishment of self-financing colleges, the concept of education has changed from a service to commodity. Industrial relations are not in keeping with the rich heritage of Indian education. Ours is the student-oriented, value-based education. The entry of western universities would spoil what Nalanda or Viswabharathi has taught us. Our own system should be updated and made more efficient.

Only those universities approved by the University Grants Commission and the National Accreditation Council should be permitted to offer courses and confer degrees. This would ensure quality. The programmes announced should also cater to the needs of the nation and its people.

International job markets require qualification of that footing. Hence a liberal stand different from the orthodox view of the past century is required. But, this is an area where we have to proceed carefully. Commercial forces should not be given a free play. The `service' aspect has to be kept in mind. The question of affordability and regulating the fee structure will have to be looked into.

Migration of students to foreign countries can be minimised when foreign universities come to our country. While welcoming those from abroad, the interests of poor students and great institutions like Santhinikethan should not be forgotten.

Jacob Ittoop

Kalady

Thiruvananthapuram

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