Forest, Their Abode

As government officers and ministers enjoy the democratic set-up, wild animals should flourish at the cost of the exchequer. The tigers and the leopards are born in forests. Let the nature take care of them.

We should differentiate between birds, animals, wild animals and humanity. The abode of wild animals is forest and they should not come to the places which are inhabited by the people.

Reviving The Lost Bond

This refers to the write-up “Need to revive the lost bond”. The contact of infants and children with animals does make an indelible impression on the young minds. Their visit to the zoo or the circus is nothing more than delight.

They need to be told about the natural habitat of the animals and the rights of the animals to live in this universe with freedom from hunger, diseases, discomfort, fear and freedom to express natural behaviour if age old bond with animals is to be strengthened.

Youngsters, if educated and awakened today, can ensure a peaceful environment for animals tomorrow. The children should be educated to develop the qualities of kindness, love, compassion for all living beings. By showing the video recording various acts of cruelties to animals, let them imagine what it is like to be slaughtered in an inhuman manner, transported live for days together without food, tied in scorching heat in summer without water and in tiny cages where even hens cannot stretch their wings. Animals are victims of institutionalised cruelty wherever they are exploited for profit. The writer’s suggestions to reduce the burden on our conscience are only cosmetic.

Let’s Learn From Bihar (India)

Lessons To Improve School Education

A few years ago Harvard University conducted a survey of teacher absenteeism in India. It was 43 percent in Bihar the highest at that time. In Punjab it was over 40 percent and Haryana a few digits behind. Then, Bihar was managed by Lalu Prasad Yadav. Once he lost power after fifteen years, things began to change. The Nitish kumar government appointed a committee to study the school system and report within nine months.

The new government appointed 2,40,000 school teachers in one year. An important recommendation has a direct bearing upon Punjab and Haryana. Himachal Pradesh is different from two states. In this chapter on administration of School Education and Management of Schools, the Reports quotes from the 1986 policy on Education:

Management should have a long term perspective and be linked to human resource development objectives;

It should promote decentralisation and autonomy of educational institutions; and it should attach priority to people’s participation which includes association of non-governmental