Letters to the editor: Teachers play with future of students

Teachers play with future of students
I wish to bring to the notice of the University authorities the mess on the first day of the TYBCom exams conducted at Sathaye College in Vile Parle (East). First, there was so much confusion at the exam centre at the outset which was harmful to the students who were appearing for the exam. Then, the supervisors were unable to reply to students’ queries on the details to be entered in the answer sheets, before beginning to write the exam.

Due to this, the exam started an hour late. Worse, students complained that the supervisors collected the papers half an hour before the allotted two hours was  completed. As a result, while students lost time in settling down at the beginning, they were also denied sufficient time to complete the exam. How can they be expected to fare well in such a situation? It is impossible to understand why the teachers continue to play with the future of students and the government will do nothing about it.
—Glenn Lawrence, Mumbai

Check luxury buses on Goa highway
With regard to the recent bus accident in Ratnagiri in which 37 people were killed and many injured, it seems that the driver of the bus was drunk. The fact of the matter is that most luxury buses running between Goa and Mumbai, make snack or dinner halts at pre-determined hotels along the way. The hotels get a decent number of customers and in exchange the hotel managers offer the bus crew food and even alcohol free of cost. There are a few exceptions to the rule.

Also, accidents due to rash driving are quite frequent, even if they are not serious enough to make the headlines. I was travelling on the route some months ago, when our bus hit a van carrying some people, near Khed,  around midnight. The bus driver tried to drive away, but some persons chased the bus and stopped it at Chiplun, caught the driver and handed him over to the police.

The bus was detained and the passengers had to continue the journey on other buses, after paying a little more. When some of us asked for a refund, the bus operator turned down our request saying that such accidents happen and the operator is not bound to refund the fare. This dangerous practise must be checked and corrective steps taken, for, as the old adage goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’.
—Everette Telles, Mumbai

Mizo’s attitude, a lesson for unruly MLAs
Vanlalruat Kima, the young man from Mizoram who has been living in Mumbai for a few years and working as a mobile games developer, showed maturity in the manner in which he handled the racist comments made by a police officer against people of the North East. Instead of rushing to the police station to make a complaint, or to the media, Kima brought the incident to the notice of the police authorities through his blog and he is happy with the result.

This is the Gandhian way and is worth emulating. Contrast this with the attitude of the Maharashtra MLAs who are still unwilling to apologise for their attack on a police officer, while the home minister tries to cover up for them. The minister has suggested that the closed circuit TV system on the premises of the state  legislature did not give a clear picture of who beat the policeman. Will the government institute an inquiry into the problem with the system, or should we presume that this is yet another scam?
—AG Ramasubramanian, Navi Mumbai

Different pitch
It is unfortunate that cricket, which has for long served to unite people of the subcontinent has now become a tool in the hands of politicians to further their political interests. The Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s ban on Sri Lankan players, umpires and support staff from IPL matches to be played in Chennai, appears to be a well-thought-out strategy to assert her authority ahead of the general elections. Only a few days earlier, the rival DMK deserted the UPA government on the matter of human rights violations against the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Makes one wonder where these self-proclaimed champions of Tamils were when the war crimes and genocide took place?
—NJ Ravi Chander, Bangalore

Show us a good leader
Apropos of “Our blind faith in Modi’s achievements”, the writer has made some valid points. I’m not a fan of Narendra Modi or the Bharatiya Janata Party, but I would appreciate if, while indulging in Modi-bashing, somebody will put forward the name of a leader who has a record of good governance. Criticising somebody is easy, and this you have done, but suggesting another way or an alternative to Modi, would make the  article balanced.
—Puneet Jalan, by email 

Off-field uncertainties
It appears that the new IPL season, beginning on April 3, is headed for rough weather even before a ball has been bowled. First, it was announced that dashing batsman Kevin Pietersen will not play this year due to injury. There is a question mark on the participation of top class all-rounder Michael Clarke in the tournament.

Now, the Sri Lankan players may have to be kept out of the matches scheduled to take place in Chennai. And today we read the news about the shocking attack on the class New Zealand cricketer Jessie Ryder. One hopes that the game, in which huge money has been invested, will be played despite these hitches.
—Arun Malankar, Mumbai

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