Survival needs adaptability

With reference to ‘Suicidal course’; the Darwinian struggle implies that only the fittest and strongest survive. However, it also suggests that it is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most adaptable to change. Challenges, academic or personal, are inevitable. Those who find ways to adapt go on to win the long race. Students must realise that setbacks are not roadblocks but opportunities to evolve. Students must improve their skills and learn ways to manage stress. Struggle is a given; survival comes from adaptability.

Harsh Pawaria, by mail

India has a flawed labour market

Apropos of ‘Suicidal course’; it is perplexing to observe that parents and society consistently put pressure on students of professional courses like engineering to succeed at any cost. Later, a significant proportion of engineering graduates get into careers totally unrelated to engineering. India has a flawed labour market in which many engineering graduates do all kinds of jobs, right from finance and marketing to establishing start-ups. Perhaps the movie 3 Idiots puts it succinctly when the protagonist says, “It is supposed to be an educational institution, not a pressure cooker.”

Chander Shekhar Dogra, Jalandhar

Transparency within collegium

The proposed National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which is back in the news a decade after being struck down by the Supreme Court, can jeopardise the independence of the judiciary due to the inclusion of politicians and other non-judicial persons. Such a framework can lead to significant political interference in the judiciary. Hence, the collegium system in which judges appoint judges is still considered better than the NJAC despite its major drawback of lacking transparency. The judiciary must explore ways to enhance transparency within the collegium system and ensure that honest, impartial judges are involved in the appointment process.

RS Narula, Patiala

Indian immigrants may feel the heat

With reference to ‘LS clears Immigration Bill; Shah says India not a dharamshala’; the Bill aims to regulate immigration of foreigners to India. However, it may prompt other nations to toughen their laws regarding immigrants. The Bill may inadvertently create problems for Indians living abroad who rely on similar routes of entry. Moreover, the distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants is blurry, and the Bill’s provisions may not adequately address this issue. Amit Shah’s statement that India is not a dharamshala raises questions about reciprocity. We cannot expect other nations to provide a haven for Indians. It’s crucial to consider the potential consequences of this Bill on Indian immigrants abroad and ensure that their rights and interests are protected.

Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), kharar

Schools need better facilities

Apropos of ‘Haryana Assembly’; the government passed the Haryana Registration & Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2025, which was overdue. However, as pointed out in the editorial, another area which needs more serious thought is inadequate infrastructure in government schools where even basic facilities like drinking water and toilets are missing. If the conditions of schools are not improved, students and their parents will keep falling in the trap of bogus travel agents. Ironically, wards of politicians, bureaucrats and the elite generally study in top private schools and later go abroad for higher education.

Ramesh Gupta, Narwana

Spend time with children

Apropos of ‘Pull your kids back from the brink’; the role of parents in shaping a child into a good human being cannot be denied. The juggling between jobs and home barely leaves parents any time to spend with their children. Proper communication, care, affection, guidance and friendly behaviour by parents is the need of the hour. Sitting with children and listening to their problems is very important to provide solutions. In today’s times, it is important to inculcate moral values, give proper guidance and develop a bond of trust to keep adolescents on the right track.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Letters to the Editor