Date:23/05/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/23/stories/2003052300191003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Donations to IITs

Sir, — The Human Resource Development Minister has decreed that alumni donations to the IITs should be routed through the Central Government. This is an attempt to make them dependent on the Government and thereby interfere in their affairs.

Academicians must be allowed to function without hindrance from politicians and bureaucrats. IIT alumni wish to give "gurudakshna" not "mantridakshna". IITians and others must not allow the dilution of the institution's autonomy.

Shailesh Gandhi,
Mumbai