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100 Years Ago | 24 March 1919

On this day a century ago, these were some of the news items The Statesman readers got to read about India and the world.

100 Years Ago | 24 March 1919

UNITED FREE CHURCH MISSION SCHOOL

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, –

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While agreeing with the general sentiment which finds expression in your leaderette in today’s Statesman regarding the rational education for girls, I fear that its association with the prize-giving of the Girls’ Schools of this Mission may give rise to somewhat unjust views as to the kind of education which it is our effort to give to girls in our High School. Your suggestion is that subjects such as hygiene, nursing, cookery, needlework, etc., should take a leading place in a curriculum for girls. Of these subjects needlework, hygiene, and cookery have a regular place in the curriculum for girls in our High School, and, in addition to these and to the ordinary matriculation subjects, regular instruction is given in drawing, general science, and singing, and occasional courses are held also in First Aid and Home Nursing. From this it will, I think, be apparent that the outlook is not altogether dark.

(REV.) GEORGE EWAN.

Secretary, United Free Church of Scotland Girls’ Schools, Calcutta.

ATHLETICS IN INDIA

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – The number of recently formed athletic associations in India for the holding of athletic sports is swiftly passing beyond ordinary limits. As the season approaches one is struck by the number of sports meetings held, all at about one and the same time. There should be no hindrance to the encouragement of genuine sports, especially here in India; on the contrary, every endeavour should be made to keep men healthy and fit; but what is to be denounced is the present growing tendency to lose sight of these high ideals and, instead, to encourage “pot-hunting” among competitors. It was so in the days gone by, in the football field, when every game meant the award of a tawdry trophy. The Indian Football Association met the situation, and the gradual regulation of clubs and games has certainly helped to place football on a higher footing than ever before.

H.W.B. MORENO.

Vice-President, Bengal Athletic Sports Association, Calcutta.

LORD SINHA’S APPOINTMENT

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – Your correspondent, the unknown quantity X in Saturday’s issue, began very well really when he commenced talking about the puzzling comment of critics on the appointment of a British Indian subject to a place in the Cabinet. He talked horse sense till he came about the end when suddenly his sentiment vanished away with his better nature. Why I really wonder should there be any unseemly perturbation over an innocent affair like this? Is Lord Sinha – a man who hardly ever dabbled in politics – is likely to be more than a match for the legion of Britishers whose knowledge of India and Indian politics has been the subject of ceaseless vaunt with a certain section of the community in India? If so, great is the pity – thousand pities really – and no credit to the hollow politicians who have been so long casting the destinies of India and posing as authorities on all Indian subjects.

J.N. BANERJEE.

Sambalpur.

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