The current batch of students taking their second year PUC exams have been victims of the lopsided decisions of the government, all along, right from their 7th standard public exams to the trimester pattern of exams and now the advancement of Second PUC exams and CET, all experiments have been conducted on this batch.
All these decisions (except the current one) have all been changed or nullified after a couple of years of implementation. This is a costly experiment affecting the lives of children, their mental health and their future.
As caring parents, it is time we got together and raise our voice against these hastily made decisions so as to protect our children.
We definitely do not want a spate of suicides, or mental ill health resulting from these sources of unnecessary stress.
A few pertinent questions we should ask the decision makers are,
(1) Why is it that students and parents are not being consulted on issues that deeply affect them and only them, before implementation?
(2) Why are all these decisions being announced just two or three months before the board exam when the students are already stressed out and hardly have any time to protect against these unfair, unscientific decisions?
Why don’t we parents come together under a common umbrella and fight these one sided student unfriendly decisions, and help our children achieve their goals by providing a conducive environment?

Dr A Kasargod

Hoping for a    better year...
2008 is going to be an important year for Mangalore. With the concreting work going on in full swing, I expect them to be completed in all respects this year which must ease the traffic congestion on the important junctions like Bunts Hostel, Jyothi Circle and PVS Circle. If the NHAI maintain the present momentum, the fly-over at Kottara Chowki must be ready for use before monsoon, which will facilitate smooth flow of traffic on NH 17. Even the asphalting work which is progressing well may be completed before this monsoon, and driving on NH 17 from Nanthoor to Suratkal will be a very pleasant experience. With more traffic cops on duty, the roads of Mangalore will be more safer for pedestrians and two wheelers in 2008. Thanks to the positive response of the district administrators to public’s suggestions. If paid parking is implemented on important roads, there will be more motorable space available on all these narrow roads, making it safer and happier for everyone. With the positive mindset of the administration and the determination to improve civic amenities, even when the new Corporators who will be in power for the first time, the city will certainly see a lot of improvements in 2008.  While efforts are on to improve power and water supply, it may take another year to see the results. Maintenance and development of parts must be given to the leading corporates and software companies and they will certainly maintain them well. The top priority of the corporation must be to keep our city clean, plastic free, garbage free and provide good sanitation for all residential areas. Keep the stray dogs/cattle away from the streets of Mangalore, and let the Police keep a strict vigil on the law and order in the city. Communal harmony will be the key to peace in our district, for which every political leader irrespective of parties must join hands and work for a ‘peaceful Dakshina Kannada and Udupi’.

B N R Rao,   Vivek Nagar

Readers may send their letters to The Editor, Deccan Herald, Yenepoya Chambers, 2nd floor, Balmatta, Mangalore or e-mail to dhmangalore@deccanherald.co.in.