Letters to the EDITOR

But, given his stature, people did not raise any objections. But Advani does not command the same respect. He is regarded as having been responsible for the Babri Masjid demolition. In addition, there is his advanced age to consider. Why can’t the BJP think of choosing an able leader like Arun Jaitley to take over the leadership? One may not agree with Jaitley’s views, but at least he is young and knowledgeable.

— M.H. Nayak

Mumbai

Carbon cutting

While public attention has been on international negotiations in Bali over the issue of climate change, India also has to put its own house in order ‘Climate change in Bali’,. Just as, internationally, the developed countries need to share the greater economic burden of addressing the crisis of climate change, the rich and middle classes in our country need to commit to being more climate-friendly in their lifestyles. At the same time, it is critical that we in India learn to integrate economic principles with issues of technology, energy and environment for long-term solutions. India can be hit very hard by climate change, since it is densely populated, has energy scarcity, depleted resources and biodiversity, and is highly dependent on agriculture. The issue has to be tackled at the individual, organisational, business and governmental level. As individuals and entrepreneurs, we should move towards CFLs, public transport, eco-friendly technology, conserve water and power and stop mindless consumerism. The nation also needs to go for a radical environment policy. A debate on this issue in the Parliament’s monsoon session was a good beginning.

— Pranav Sachdeva

New Delhi

The Bali meeting has ended on a happy note. In the confrontation between developed countries and developing ones on the need to cut down emissions, developing countries — including China and India — insisted on being exempted from committing to making cuts in their emissions. This does not sound rational and smacks of a narrow vision. When the next meeting takes place in 2009, which will decide post-Kyoto Protocol measures, it is important that these two countries rethink their stands. This will go a long way in establishing their environment responsibility as emerging powers.

— C.R. Bhattacharjee

Kolkata

Trusts for schools

Primary schools in villages are functioning very badly

indeed ‘Present, Ma’am’, Everything that is provided for the schoolchildren find their way to the homes of the village pradhan or headmaster of the school — whether it is a TV or good stationery. The solution lies in handing over all schools to private trusts. Initially, we could consider entrusting the administration of schools of selected blocks to such trusts, and later expand the process. Once out of the benefit basket, the same village pradhan will keep an auditor’s glance on the trust administering the school. In trying this arrangement, we have nothing to lose but our failures.

— Naval Langa

Ahmedabad