Reprehensible ways
One can’t agree more with your editorial ‘End this disgrace’ (NT, May 11, 2023). Most of the students must have been a perturbed lot after being subjected to a harrowing examination of a different kind even before taking the actual test. By the same token, one may add that the staff were not adequately sensitised to deal with students, especially girls who require that extra care. The National Testing Agency (NTA) instead of infusing a conducive environment for the students before taking perhaps the most important test of their lives, was unfortunately dampening the spirits of the traumatised young minds. All this because the NEET-conducting agency prior to 2018, the CBSE, had burnt its fingers while discharging its duties. Instances like micro bluetooth-enabled devices hidden in ears and undergarments by tech-savvy students had led the CBSE in framing what it thought ‘foolproof’ but, evidently, harsh rules, and now the NTA has gone to extremes. It is obvious that some rigid rules were not circulated, or advertised, perspicuously to the parents and students. Such ‘primitive’ practices are bound to beat the morale of students appearing in future exams. It is incumbent upon the Centre and the states to formulate a policy that allows youngsters to freely and fairly pen their thoughts without distraction.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
A mesmerising temple
The extremely beautiful Birla temple built in Goa was opened for the general public on May 3, 2023. Located in Dabolim, around 5 km from the airport, next to Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani campus, this temple is made of marble with mesmerising interiors. The Radhakrishna Temple built by the Birla family promises to be a magnificent addition to the country’s list of culturally significant tourist attractions. The Prana Pratishtha of the new temple took place earlier this month. A must visit for every tourist, the temple is already attracting thousands of visitors during the weekends. The Birla family flew into Goa for the inauguration of the new mandir. This makes it the latest of one of the more than 30 mandirs scattered throughout the country built by the famous business family. The new temple will boost tourism in the state, and will go on to be one of the most prominent tourist attractions. Other Birla temples in the country too have been prominent tourist attractions and draw a huge number of visitors every year. Dedicated to various gods, these magnificently built temples are in marble or in sandstone and display architectural excellence in their making. The temples are generally located in a prominent location, carefully designed to accommodate a large number of visitors. The worship and discourses are well organised. The first Birla temple was built in 1939 in Delhi. Later temples have been built by, and are managed by different family members. For both of the temples in Varanasi, the Birlas joined other donors to support the cost. A national chain of the Birla temples, temples of grandiose scale and design, have become major landmarks and part of the cityscapes of Indian urban life in the late 20th century.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Light of goodness
Amidst the grief of violence in Manipur, my heart glows with much pride on getting enlightened that while Kuki women had come out in droves and created a human chain to protect a group of innocent Meiteis from a mob in Churachandpur town, Meitei girls also similarly protected innocent Kuki students at Manipur University. Let this light of goodness remove all darkness and obstacles in the path of our journey towards sanity and humanity as envisaged by Rabindranath Tagore – “The light radiates from the centre of darkness, That is thy glow/ The goodness that originates from all conflicts, That is thy goodness”!
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
Indifference questioned
I should praise veteran Tiatrist Roseferns for his Tiatr ‘Hem Oxench Choltelem’, which tries to educate and create awareness amongst Goans over the ongoing political situation in Goa. Roseferns has beautifully shown in the Tiatr as to how our corrupt politicians are pumping money to buy over their rivals to win elections and silence honest people. The drama also questions the silence of Goans over a variety of issues, including the double-tracking project and the Mhadei water dispute, and asks whether Goans will continue watching, with patent indifference, the ongoing ‘destruction’ of our beloved state by ruling politicians.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao