Inspirational teacher
“Passion for numbers” (November 1) was a truly inspiring tribute to the late P.K. Srinivasan. The methodology he adopted needs to be hailed. With the advent of information technology and computers, students go in search of a ‘calculator’ for simple addition. A basic foundation in arithmetic is vital and crucial for students. Comprehension is made easy if teachers are adequately equipped with the skills to inculcate a ‘fascination’ for numbers. Most students, especially girls, dread arithmetic and the ‘fear-psychosis’ continues even after schooling.
Ashok Jayaram,
Bangalore
The excellent article about PKS was a trip down memory lane. He had a remarkable ability to introduce complex concepts in the most lucid fashion. I remember reading, as a high-schooler, a piece he wrote in The Hindu’s Young World about the traditional ’Kolam’ connecting it with graph theory ! The world is definitely poorer after he died fours years ago.
J.C.Narasimhan
Lexington, Kentucky, the U.S.
P.K. Srinivasan’s unique way of introducing numbers to Kindergarten children was very impressive. This article made me realise that passion is the key for any creativity. People like him are the only ray of hope for an otherwise dark educational scene in India today.
V. Aditya Telidevara,
Hyderabad
Absolutely fascinating
Murali N.Krishnaswamy’s interview in Literary Review ( “Anecdotes of loss and desire”) was absolutely fascinating. It is innovative experience with a great literary potential The experiment is worth undertaking in some of our international airports.
G.Azeemoddin,
Anantapur
Cause for concern
The gradual extinction of wildlife is a serious cause for concern, however refreshing may be the news of return of warblers (PLANET E, November 1). No doubt roads are the biggest threat to all receding forest cover. A visit to Uttarakhand shows how these hastily built roads have scarred the once verdant hill scape.
Prof.Anil Joshi,
Nainital
Welcome indeed
The article “Welcome back, Warblers” was indeed timely. As a bird watcher, I have noted the dates of its call first recorded in each season, for more than a decade. The call is ubiquitously heard in this part, suggesting its arrival in thousands. The article underlined how softly and unobtrusively this little warbler continues to tie us to other people and nations far away!
K.B.Sanjayan,
Thiruvananthapuram
Kept me safe
Many thanks for the timely, useful and appropriately timed article “Home Loans: Building a margin of safety” (November 1). It enabled me to take a final decision in fixing a home. I have thus avoided being struck and grounded by Damocles’ sword !
Jaya Venkitachalam,
Chennai
The Taliban within
Kalpana Sharma’s “Making war over love” (November 1) brings to the fore how communal venom has contaminated our common psyche. The tendency of invoking national security and terrorism even to normal family problems and the trend of the media sensationalising astounding stories, does not bode well for our social fabric. The Taliban is not just part of a highly skewed version of Islam; it is an attitude that tries to forcefully confine individuals to prefabricated frames. When agreeing that highly educated girls are easily allured by the temptations of a bike ride and ice cream or depriving women of their legally protected right to choose the lifestyle and/or partner of their choice, is knowingly or unknowingly subscribing to the Taliban worldview.
M.B.Zaman,
Malappuram, Kerala.
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