Editor,
Apropos the letter titled as “Reservation for backward class/ caste is a must” by Sujit De, I completely agree with him that English should be a necessary tool in our belt of skills. If the English language is essential for our careers, is it not better for all schools to make English the medium of instruction instead of giving free English coaching classes? Though just a personal opinion, I find that such coaching classes are unnecessary for most people, especially when we live in a world where time is not our friend.
Aside from the fact that our country is a potpourri of languages and that English is a universal medium of communication, it is sad to see that people disregard English and, instead, talk in their preferred language in official situations. This sets a bad precedent as people who do not talk in such a tongue tend to follow suit and begin to talk in the language that they are familiar with. If such lingual differences occur between people, the country will not progress in any way. It is true that we must preserve our mother tongue but it should not be at the cost of development.
If the youth is to compete with the world, the skills required should be taught from the very beginning of their education – the school. However, the children from poor backgrounds suffer the most since the majority of them go to government schools where the medium of instruction is their mother tongue. Although most private schools and some government schools are English-medium schools, such are mostly available to city children. Our politicians are insensitive and hypocritical as they send their own children to English-medium private schools while they force the rest of the young population to be educated in vernacular languages. Even with all the English coaching classes around, the rural and impoverished population generally have no access to them. Hence because of their poor English language skills, poor children are at a disadvantage when it comes to getting jobs, especially in the private sector. Eventually, it is up to the leaders of the country if they want to go back to the prehistoric times or leap forward into the future.
Yours etc.,
Jasmine Lyngdoh,
Via email
Threat to religious tolerance
Editor,
Under the BJP India has seen a resurgence of religious intolerance. In BJP ruled states anti-conversion laws are passed and arson and violence are committed against Christian institutions. Anti-minority sentiments are being fanned by Hindu fundamentalists and consequently we are witnessing increasing attacks on minority groups like the Muslims and Christians. Now the BJP government has come up with the Digital India Day to be observed on Good Friday. Is this not an insult on religion and an outright disrespect for religious sentiments of our citizens? There are only two national holidays for the Christians, namely, Christmas on 25th December and Good Friday (whatever date it may be). These are sacred days of the Christians which are respected all over the world. How many Hindu Puja holidays are there in a year? How will our Hindu brethren feel if Diwali day is declared a working day? I am sure they would go hammer and tongs to oppose such a move.
Of all forms of intolerance, religious intolerance is perhaps the ugliest and the most hateful attitude. Just because Christians are a small minority (just over 2% of the total population), can the government treat them like a non entity? Let the BJP government not forget that Christians even though small in number, have contributed a lion’s share to the growth and development of India. What would be the state of education in India if it were not for the thousands of Christian schools and colleges dedicated to the progress of the country? Is education not the most vital ingredient in the development of a nation or for that matter of civilization? Think of the great number of rural health centres run by the Christian organizations to save thousands of lives or the great network of Christian social development groups who are rendering a yeoman’s service to the country. It is an utter shame for the BJP to demonstrate such ingratitude to the religion that has contributed to nation building. All right minded politicians and lovers of a free India should raise their voices in protest against such disrespect towards a religion.
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie sdb
Via email