A necessary ban
With reference to “Ragging is never fun” (June 17), no society that has pretensions of being civilised should tolerate ragging in schools and colleges. It is high time our campuses got rid of the pervasive fear that prevails in the early weeks of each academic year. It is equally necessary for our students, many of who will assume leadership positions in society in future, to honour individual rights as also conduct human relations in a kinder, gentler way.
J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad
The article underscores the need to take every possible measure to curb ragging in educational institutions and to legally enforce the ban. The term ‘mild ragging’ is a misnomer as seniors need not draw the freshers out of the shell by resorting to cruel and harmful practical jokes. Last year when I went to a college in Delhi I was amazed to see seniors rendering voluntary service in helping and guiding freshers.
V. K. Sathyavan Nair,
Kottayam
Incompetent teachers who are unable to inspire students are generally responsible for the menace of ragging. A get together with music, drama, dance and free exchange of views between seniors and juniors will bury the ghost of ragging. The event should be well planned to give scope for the latent talents of all students. Teachers at all levels should be fully involved. Let teachers play their role effectively and purposefully.
G. Azeemoddin,
Anantapur
Before the admission of a new batch of students, the senior students should be counselled to change their attitude to ragging. Though this seems to be a tough task, every effort must be made to break the chain and bring peace in the campus.
V. Bhimeswara Rao,
Secunderabad
Akhila Sivadas asks “Whether all the stakeholders — students, parents and guardians, faculty and administrators — understand the full implications of the law and are ready to confront the issue with all its ramifications.” While parents and guardians are certainly required to understand the legal dimensions of the Supreme Court verdict, they must also be conscious about their own roles in dissuading the children from indulging in this senseless practice. Unfortunately, they have very little time to interact with the children and have no control over those who live in hostels.
A.K. Dasgupta,
Hyderabad
There was a time when ragging was fun. Seniors would interact with freshers and indulge in light hearted banter. Those were the days of simple humour. Slowly ragging assumed monstrous proportions and led freshers to commit suicide and many others became nervous wrecks The Supreme Court’s ban on such inhuman and heinous practices of the seniors was the only option and so be it.
Dr. R.K.Malhotra,
New Delhi
The Supreme Court’s notice to curb ragging is a welcome relief to many students and their parents. In the last several years, disguised as formal introduction, ragging has taken an ugly form with freshers being humiliated and forced to perform demeaning activities. To stop this, students must pledge not to encourage any form of ragging. Besides, respect and love can never be forced. They can only be earned through one’s behaviour.
Ankur Paliwal,
A.M.U., Aligarh
Birdsong in cities
With reference to “Bringing back the birds” by Shobha Menon (June 17), the author suggests that the birds could be brought back if the city dwellers are prepared to create proper environment; but unless man develops a love for these wonderful creatures, there is little hope.
P.U.Krishnan,
Udhagamandalam
Threat to hills
With reference to “Realty threat to the hills” (June 17), since its inception in 1851, the GSI has been advising the governments to check the construction boom on the hills. We forget that a single earthquake can wipe off cottages or buildings within minutes. A landslide in Nainital just took eight minutes to bury 193 people and wipe off half the town in 1880. Venugopal’s story was an eye-opener.
V.K. Joshi,
Lucknow
Laudable venture
This refers to Karthik Madhavan’s “Shaping dreams” (June 17). While NRIs prefer safe investments, Ram Duraiswamy is funding needy students to continue their studies. Indeed a noble and laudable venture to help poor and bright students to come up in their lives.
K. Sivasubramanian,
Thiruvananthapuram
Ram Duraiswamy’s personal experience has been responsible for his setting up Kintana Inc. Let us hope more potential Rams read this and continue to extend such assistance to poor students.
Ramachander Karur,
Bangalore
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