The central government’s stand seems logical (page 1, “Centre to again remind states of IAS cadre rules”, January 26). The fact is that the number of deputationists in the Central Government is decreasing.
Thus, it is necessary to ensure that the required number of officers are deputed for effective governance.
However, the Odisha government’s statement provides another dimension.
It has asked the central government to find out why many officers are not opting for central deputation. The reason, as stated by the central government, is political patronage at the state level. However, this may be a simpler approach. Personal reasons such as reluctance to relocate frequently and other grounds such as reluctance to learn a new language, in addition to rules and working conditions, may also have to be considered. The short-term solution may lie in the implementation of the new rules while working on a long-term solution, or incentives, keeping in mind the requirements of the cadre.
Hyderabad
This is not the first time that offers for Padma awards have been turned down (in inside pages, “Buddhadev refuses Padma Bhushan award”, January 26). EMS Namboodiripad rejected the Padma Vibhushan. PN Haksar and Swami Ranganathananda cited personal constraints. Parkash Singh Badal returned the award in protest against the agricultural laws. The family of the late Chief Justice of India Justice JS Verma has refused to accept the award given to him posthumously, saying it would be against their principles to accept it. In a way, the person (in protest) refusing to accept or return the high-profile Padma awards appears to be an act of contempt for the nation. At the very least, the government should value the awards and certainly ensure to avoid such contemptuous situations.
Perhaps governments should step away from the task of establishing and conferring rewards; Implicit political and personal interests may play a role in this process.
Pandalam, Kerala
I was looking to escape the clutches of the pandemic, especially because it has affected children. I was buried under a pile of medical evidence, mostly speculation, to stay away from any bold move that would harm my family or community.
Following these protocols closely and accustoming myself to the herd mentality, I have crossed two and a half years of my post-retirement life, only to have my children and grandchildren learn online as mandated by the school authorities. The management is facing a huge setback.
We, the parents, are indebted to our children for providing holistic education – where they meet their peers, interact with their teachers, participate in a little fun and frolic and learn subjects ‘on the go’ . The invasion of gadgets has undoubtedly turned the world upside down for children, giving them a false sense of learning. It is time we set back the clock and reactivate the traditional method of imparting knowledge to avoid the curse of future generations. Within the parameters of cleanliness and safety, let us give a fresh breath of life to our children and start over.
Chennai
50 years ago Ajit L Wadekar and BS Chandrasekhar (Oped page, ‘From the Archives – Fifty Years Ago, January 26, 1972) were awarded the Padma Shri, which brought back fond memories of our Test match victories against England and West Indies . The present generation should realize that these victories were stone and great people laid the foundation of better cricket with their efforts.
Balasubramaniam Pavani,
Secunderabad
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