The cover story on the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (EW August) was well-researched and balanced. The feature brought into focus a tried and tested model of delivering quality rural education at a modest invest-ment. It’s a pity that successive governments at the Centre have chosen to remain tight lipped when it comes to bestowing praise upon this valuable legacy of the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi — whose name has become more infamously associated with the Bofors case than this priceless contribution to rural education. I don’t recall reading any detailed report about JNV schools in a mainstream newspaper or magazine in the past two decades since their establishment. I wonder why? The recent CET crisis in Karnataka has hit the national headlines, while noble, path-breaking initiatives like these are not given even modest coverage. After reading your comprehensive article I am convinced that this is an initiative which needs to be duplicated and triplicated in multiple locations. If this is done I am sure the UPA government’s promise of providing quality education to rural children will be fulfilled soon. Bhavani Deshmukh Mysore Appeal to advertisers I want to express my support to the appeal of the editor of EducationWorld (July 2004) to all corporate bodies and professional institutions to re-evaluate the advantages of advertising in EW. I have read every issue of this high quality education newsmagazine since its inception and believe that it rivals any other education publication I have read anywhere else in the world. EW provides thought- provoking accounts of global significance with fearless, well-informed commentary in an erudite style and contains contributions from writers around the world. Marketing and advertising managers should appreciate that it will drive their rupee further as the magazine is read not only in India but attracts readership abroad as well. I have made presentations in schools, colleges and universities in Australia, Canada and India and have used the magazine as an information bank. Moreover as a member of the Bishop Cotton School Society in Perth I have circulated the magazine to former students who visit India regularly and are therefore part of the international public who are potential targets for your advertising. I have also introduced EW to parents and school principals who want to send their children to study abroad with favourable feedback. The prospect of the demise of a publication of this value closes the door to a significant section of your public. Don’t let it happen. Lionel Cranenburgh Perth, Western Australia Never again The tragic fire accident in the Saraswathi English Medium School in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) which claimed the lives of 93 innocent children (EW August) has prompted massive introspection about rules and regulations which should be made mandatory for all government and private run schools in the country. There is an urgent need to propagate safety campaigns in schools to create a 100 percent safe environment for children. Today the emphasis is on comfort and luxury in schools while safety manuals lie unread in libraries and on the book shelves of principals. All schools must have enough water and…
