This refers to the controversial assessment of the Indian Institutes of Technology by Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh — that they are world class because of the quality of their students. The quantum of research undertaken by these institutions and their general gravity fail to match those of any top institution in the world. It is no wonder then that we churn out fewer scientists, patents and research papers.
Anchit Barnwal,
New Delhi
In a democracy, everyone has the right to speak his or her mind. Much of the controversy over Mr. Ramesh's remark has arisen because we live in the past and fail to introspect. Instead of emotionally reacting to his statement, it would be ideal for the Human Resource Development Ministry to commission a fact-finding mission that will assess the academic standards of the IITs.
K. Vaidyanathan,
New Delhi
