It is again very interesting to read Proud and Taller's analysis our 'space programme' is worth every cent. To compare infrastructure used by the public with a person's trip to outer space on someone else's space craft and technology simply baffles me.

It worries me to know that Proud and Taller is an educator. Why do we need a tag-along astronaut to make science interesting to our children? Isn't it his job as an educator to make children interested in science? He should be their science hero and not some hitch-hiker! I remembered my science teachers were quite inspiring and made science fun to learn when I was in school. They referred to Einstein, Newton, Maxwell, Curie and all the kings/queens of science to draw inspiration.

Continuous interests in science need to be cultivated. It doesn't happen overnight and interests alone might not always bring success. Encouragement from parents, dedicated teachers, good facilities round up by perseverance and hard work is the key.

Proud and Taller must learn to understand the difference between necessities and luxuries for a developing country. Our schools might not be in a chaotic state but it is indeed not in the best of state. We lack schools (as mentioned in my previous letter), teachers, facilities and we certainly do not have enough books for all. We should strive to have the best schools because it is the backbone of our children's future.

Proud and Taller contradicts himself when he said that he studied for his PhD in the United States but on the other hand boasts about our schools being so much better than some advanced nations.