Teaching  moral values

This is with reference to the news story “12 girls, women raped in a month, says report” (THT, Jan. 2, Page 2). In our Hindu culture, women are treated like goddesses. To the contrary, we often hear the news about violence against women and much more. It is painful to say such heinous crimes take place. Those who indulge in such acts do not have civic sense and moral education at school or at their home where they live with their mother, sister and daughter-in-laws. It is a kind of moral perversion that often leads a person to commit such a crime which should draw maximum punishment as suggested by a proposed Bill being considered in a parliamentary committee. If the Bill is passed by the parliament, the perpetrator will have to live in prison for life until his death. It means it will be as good as a death penalty. Youngsters are not taught at school about moral values, respect to women and the likely punishment a perpetrator may face. It is said that parents are the best teachers to their children who will ultimately behave in society once they grow up. Hence children should be educated by their parents about moral values, civic sense and personal dignity of a woman.

Saroj Wagle, Bara

Mountains

Mountains are places that are much higher than the land around them. They are different from plateaus because plateaus have flat tops, although they can be as high as mountains. Mountains have had an important place in history as they have offered protection from invading armies and are frequently the boundaries between countries. If they are crosswise to the winds of the areas, mountains have an important role in affecting the climate of an area. The side of the mountain that faces the wind is the windward side, which is apt to have heavier rainfall as the wind drops the moisture before going over the mountain. The other side called the leeward side is much drier as the rain has already been deposited on the windward side of the mountain. Mountains also protect valleys from extremes in weather. The role of mountains in regulating Earth’s climate and fresh water systems is vital for the sustenance of all life, as all of Earth’s rivers originate in them. Healthy mountain ecosystems are the foundation for global health and stability. Glaciers form the water towers of Earth. In mountain region high altitude forests, through the action of precipitation and transpiration, play a key role in the creation of snow. Certain indigenous mountain plants such as the oak play a major role in cloud seeding. Without this process of functioning, the amount of snow is massively reduced and glaciers cannot be fully replenished. These glaciers and snows are also important because they act like a mirror reflecting solar radiation. As they melt, the mirror thins and more solar rays penetrate through to the Earth, increasing Earths’ temperature. As this ice melts, it also increases the quantity of water vapour in the atmosphere.

Arnab Dey, Kolkata