The current epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has precipitated a kind of humanitarian catastrophe in West Africa. Because of its high mortality rate and a very contagious nature, it has already claimed a huge toll of human lives not sparing even the health workers. Africa has known Ebola since 1976 but the present epidemic has been described as “unprecedented and deadliest to date” by the WHO for its virulence, complexity and mobility.
As the Ebola epidemic shows signs of morphing into a pandemic with the increased mobility of people in a globalised world, the WHO has recently declared it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Prof. Peter Piot, the Belgian microbiologist, who discovered the Ebola virus, believes that the epidemic thrives on conditions marked by poverty and dysfunctional medical facilities. This makes the third world developing countries like India particularly vulnerable to the epidemic. We hope that India will face the challenge and negotiate the menace of Ebola aggressively.
Mostafa Murshid Pasha
Hariharpara, Murshidabad, W.B
Minority Scholarship
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is up to accord educational empowerment to minorities by providing pre-matric, post-matric, merit-cum-means based and other scholarship schemes aiming to increase their rate of attainment in higher education and enhance their employability. Even 12th five year plan has envisaged 15% of all expenditure be channelled to minorities.
Even though the immediate scheme of pre-matric scholarship may only cost a few hundred crore, the magnitude is not important. The same principles will be used for programmes involving not 1000 crores but 10000 crores. Instead of hauling the saddle of this expenditure on exchequer every year, is it not more advisable to employ this fund in setting up more schools and colleges for minorities under the existing Multi Sectoral Development Programmes?
Majeed Mulla
Via Email
The Tribute the Karkares Deserve
Like the tragic killing of Hemant Karkare, the death of his wife Kavita Karkare on 29 September after she suffered a brain haemorrhage is a national loss. The need of the hour is that the entire police force stands by their children as a mark of real tribute. There can be no greater tribute than standing by the children not only for few hours or days but for the entire life. I wish the Government of Maharashtra and the establishment come out with a statement in this regard at the earliest to boost their morale.
Mohammad Naushad Khan
New Delhi
Two good tidings from Radiance Reports
It refers to the reports “JIH Calls for United Platform to Fight Communalism, Hatred” and “Communal Harmony Award Conferred on 3 Teenagers’’. These two reports are good tidings for a society which is prone to communal violence. A section of people is following British-colonial policy of “divide and rule”. It is propagating hatred and creating conflicts among community. There is need of a group and community that is propagating love and promoting brotherhood. Muslims must fulfil this responsibility along with other communities. These are warm initiative.
Tausique Alam
Araria, Bihar
Online Edition of Radiance
I’m pleased to share with you a very positive feedback regarding the online edition of Radiance Viewsweekly that I had written to you some days back. Alhamdulillah, the online segment seems up-to-date now, given the regular posts I have been receiving on Facebook in the past week. All pending editions since July have been uploaded. This has helped me in spreading some news reports on social media channels more easily. This has also partially done away with the need of print editions which usually fail to keep their date with us.
Allah aap se qaum aur millat ki khidmat leta rahe aur mazeed barkat ata farmae.
Dr. Parvez Mandviwala
Mira Road, Mumbai