Opinion Hard Facts
The editorial Hard facts to face is mostly based on perceptions and anecdotal evidence rather than hard facts...
The editorial Hard facts to face (IE,May 22) is mostly based on perceptions and anecdotal evidence rather than hard facts. However,the facts below speak for themselves.
In trying to make out a case for Muslim children being given a raw deal in primary and upper primary school enrolment,facts that have placed Muslims in Gujarat on the top of the literacy ladder have been totally ignored. According to the Sachar Committee Report,the percentage of literacy of Muslims in Gujarat is 73.5 per cent,the highest in India. It is pertinent to note that this is much higher than the national average of 59.1 per cent and also the percentage of literacy of Hindus in Gujarat which is 68.3 per cent. Even Muslim women in urban areas of Gujarat have average literacy rate 5 points higher than the national average and rural Muslim women are far better with their literacy rate of 57 per cent as compared to the national average of 43 per cent. If Muslim children are not provided education,how can Muslims in Gujarat attain the highest literacy rate in the country?
During 2009-10,the enrolment of Muslim children has been 6.45 per cent (as against 4.7 per cent reported). It should be kept in mind that this percentage excludes the enrolment in madarsas and also some of the private schools which do not provide segregated data. The very fact that Muslims in Gujarat have the highest literacy rate in the country proves that they have access to education much better than in other states. If you look at Muslim education attainment,those who have passed the primary stage are 74.9 per cent,way ahead of the national average 60.9 per cent. In the category of those who passed secondary education,Gujarat at 45.3 is ahead of the national average of 40.5 per cent. Even in the category of those who have passed higher secondary level,Gujarat with 26.1 per cent is ahead of the national average of 23.9 per cent. In the average years of secondary schooling provided between the age group of 7-16,once again,Gujarat with 4.29 per cent is ahead of the national average of 3.26 per cent.
It has become a knee-jerk habit of secularists to pooh-pooh the good governance of the state of Gujarat.
V. Thiruppugazh
Commissioner of Information & Additional CEO
Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority
Enemies within
The editorial Repeat offender (IE,May 25) exposed the insouciance,if not hypocrisy,of the Congress over the womens bill. Otherwise,Digambar Kamat wouldnt have dared to give such self-serving and gratuitous advice to women. Left to themselves,leaders of other parties supporting the bill would also oppose it. Theyre not expressing themselves openly against it fearing the wrath of their party leadership. But as UPA leader,the Congress must ensure that the bill is not sabotaged from within.
Hema
Langeri
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