Developing nations cannot shy away
Sir, It is the contention of the Indian Government that since the industrially advanced countries have already contributed greatly to the environmental degradation, they should take the initiative in drastically reducing the industrial effluents. We also argue that this burden should not be passed to the developing nations which are struggling to improve the standard of living of their teeming millions by a process of rapid industrialisation in the coming decades.

This is an irresponsible stand and is totally unacceptable. Though the developed nations are guilty of causing the present mess, it happened in an era when the serious environmental consequences of industrialisation were not known. Now that it has been established beyond any doubt, the developing nations cannot take refuge behind their “poverty” for degrading the environment.

V Venkatasubramanian
Mumbai

Dog menace is back!
Sir, It is rather appalling to read that stray dogs have killed sixteen sheep. The dog menace is back but this time the victims are animals. The hitherto efforts by the authorities have proved futile.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) half hearted approach to the problem is the main reason for this to recur. Inspite of numerous complaints by the residents, they have remained silent and the operation “surgery” has not yielded any result. The BBMP must wake up now to the call before things go out of control, and clear the street dogs at the earliest.
Inamdar Ramchandra
Bangalore

Unceremonious exit
Sir, The Commission headed by UGC Chairman Sukhdeo Thorat had found that P Venugopal, AIIMS former director was guilty of gross discrimination against the students from the Scheduled Cast on several occasions.
The instances brought out by the Committee proved that he had forced the reserved students to shift to a separate hostel and did not allow them to mingle with the general category students. Venugopal had defeated the very purpose of providing reservations to the suppressed classes. His continuation as director had become untenable.
Kattari Ananda Naidu
Chennai

Unwanted scuffle
Sir, The sacking of Dr P Venugopal from the post of director of the AIIMS within minutes of President Pratibha Patil giving her assent to the AIIMS (Amendment) Bill, however, cannot do the nation proud.
The standoff between Dr Venugopal and Union Minister for Health Dr Anbumani Ramdoss has been adversely affecting the functioning of the AIIMS. The Prime Minister could not take any step to rein in the minister because of the compulsions of coalition politics, much to the annoyance of the staff, students and patients of the AIIMS.
J S Acharya
Hyderabad

Janata Darshan
Sir, Kudos to the Karnataka Governor Rameswar Thakur for deciding to hold Janata Darshan in district and village head quarters also. It is only the poor and middle class people who express their grievances at such platforms and if they are made to visit Bangalore, it causes inconvenience to them. Chief Ministers in other states may follow this to redress the grievances of citizens.
B S Ganesh
Bangalore

Sanskrit exam
Sir, The Sanskrit examinations for students appearing for II PUC PCMB with Sanskrit as first language, have been fixed on March 26th and Biology on March 27th. Biology being a very vast subject, students are hardly left with few hours to revise Biology. Until last year the PU Board conducted Botany and Zoology as separate papers on different days, but from this academic year its going to be conducted as one paper as Biology. Hope the PU Board will look in to this matter to help the students.
Shanthi Srinath
Bangalore