The Hindu : New Delhi News : Readers' Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 19, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Readers' Mail

Test all the EVMs

Sir, -- The results of the recent elections in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and the enthusiasm shown by some political parties raised suspicions in many minds about possible tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in terms of software, hardware and even remote control, by influencing EVM manufacturing and maintenance companies.

To ensure fully fair and free elections, the Election Commission is requested to verify and test the reliability and accuracy of all the EVMs to be deployed for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls before releasing these EVMs -- and also one day before actual polling -- in the presence of representatives of major political parties at each polling booth.

The EVMs may be tested by casting one vote for each contestant and repeating the process up to full capacity of votes for each EVM and test whether each candidate has got an equal number of votes or not.

I hope the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners will look into the matter seriously and urgently.

Sunil Samuel,

M-21A, Malviya Nagar,

New Delhi-110 017.

* * *

IGNOU is different

Sir, -- Being a publicly funded apex national distance teaching university, one would expect the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to give equal opportunities to every category of people, including the physically challenged. However, to one's deep shock and disdain, despite more than 15 years of its functioning, IGNOU -- established under an Act of Indian Parliament -- has not created any facility for physically challenged persons. IGNOU's "administrators" and "educationists" who claim it is different from the other so-called "traditional" universities have proven themselves right in that they do not care for the physically challenged like the traditional institutions do. The traditional institutions have, by and large, been constantly making efforts to improve facilities so that the physically challenged are not deprived of their elementary rights.

IGNOU's administrators and educationists, on the other hand, have apparently never imagined that the physically challenged too would make use of its distance learning programmes. IGNOU does not have even simple infrastructure facilities for the physically challenged. IGNOU administrators are clueless about what to do. They view this as a problem instead of merely doing what other institutions do by way of solution.

Moreover, IGNOU has not made any attempt to transform its self-learning materials to benefit the visually or aurally challenged. Even though the present IGNOU Administration proudly publicises that it has converted its audio and video cassettes into digitally recorded discs, why has it not thought about transforming these digitised programmes to modes helpful for the physically challenged? Why has it not given even a stray thought to converting its study material to the Braille form?

It seems there is a study centre on the premises of one of the agencies for the visually challenged. But the fact is that selection of this study centre was also because of political and personal considerations rather than for any humanitarian reason. For the administrators of an institution like IGNOU which is presently faced with allegations of financial bungling, bickering and discrimination, where is the time and motivation to help the less privileged sections of society?

The Hon'ble President, who fortunately is also the IGNOU Visitor, would be justifiably concerned at the denial of fundamental rights to a section of the citizens. The National Human Rights Commission and the associations concerned with the welfare and progress of physically challenged people should suo motu take up this matter as one that is in the public and national interest.

A Citizen,

70B, MIG Flats,

Yamuna Park, New Delhi.

* * *

Danger : Mouth cancer

Sir, -- Cancer is still a most dreadful disease because fully successful treatment is still not available and people who know they are suffering from cancer fear death. Cancer can affect any tissue of the body at any age and is the second most common cause of death in the world. Cancer of the mouth is among the ten most common cancers in the world but unfortunately it is the most common in our country, responsible for nearly half the cancer cases. About six lakh new cases of mouth cancer are detected and about 3 lakhs die each year.

In India, use of tobacco is widespread and in various forms like bidi, cigarette, chillum, hookah, gutka, khaine and mainpuri, with paan, etc. The most common way of tobacco chewing is the betel with lime, katha, arecanut and the second is khaine, which is usually prepared by rubbing sun-dried tobacco with slaked lime in the palm of the left hand until the desired mixture is obtained. The khaini is then put into the mouth in small amounts at frequent intervals and slowly sucked and swallowed. These practices are now being quickly replaced by the use of paan masala or gutka which also contains arecanut, lime and flavouring agent. Cheap quality paan masala may contain gambler, a chemical used for tanning leather, instead of katha. It may also contain other harmful chemicals and adulterants. With the increasing trend of use of gutka the problem of oral cancer is becoming serious. Nowadays it is fashionable to use gutka. Recent surveys have shown that the pre-cancerous conditions and cancer of the mouth, leucoplakia and sub-mucosal fibrosis are common among the youth. If timely precautions are not taken, the problem of oral cancer will grow in an epidemic form in the next decade.

A good thing about oral cancer is that it is almost always preceded by pre-cancerous conditions. These may be in the form of ulcers or white or red spots which don't get better in spite of treatment. Sub-mucosal fibrosis is also common among gutka addicts. Because of hardening of muscles and inner mucus lining the patient can't open the mouth fully. If these conditions are not treated or the patient doesn't become cautious and quits the use of gutka, it can turn into full blown cancer in the next few years.

Mouth cancer can also be due to regular long-term consumption of alcohol and it appears to have synergistic effects among tobacco users, so don't use tobacco in any form if consuming alcohol. If even during pre-cancerous phase the use of paan masala and tobacco is stopped and the patient consumes plenty of anti-oxidants with food or in tablet form, chances of reversal and cure are bright. Anti-oxidants like Vitamin A, E, C, Selenium and Zinc provide protection against many cancers especially oral cancer. So consume plenty of vegetables and fruits.

Cancer of the mouth can easily be detected in pre-cancerous or very early stages by simply examining the mouth at regular intervals. Don't ignore any white spots or ulcers in the mouth. If you have sharp teeth, consult the dentist, as sharp teeth may also be responsible for oral cancer. Always keep the mouth and the teeth clean and consume only nutritious diet.

Dr. J.L. Agarwal,

Professor & Head,

Department of Physiology,

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College,

Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)-176 001.

* * *

A deadly virus

Sir, -- M.K. Samuel deserves thanks for his letter, "Cricket Mania" in these columns (March 29) highlighting the evil effects of this most pampered game on students and unemployed youth.

I may add that cricket is a no-work-culture syndrome, a virus infecting an already degenerate and corrupt Indian society. The unfortunate part is that the Central and State governments too are patronising and promoting it in a big way. Officers and staff in government offices can be seen glued to TV sets or cricket scoreboards, neglecting their work. Very often Doordarshan suspends or shifts news slots and other popular programmes to accommodate relay of cricket matches. All this has a very telling effect on other national sports.

We all know that cricket is not included in the Olympic Games. Even then, so much money, so much attention, so much glamour is bestowed on it. It is a curious phenomenon. No developed country has adopted it. Its originators, the British Lords, have now little interest in it. Only the erstwhile slave countries of British colonial rule like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and West Indies are crazy about it. They have no time to eradicate their backwardness, unemployment, corruption or other internal crises. Cigarette, liquor and cold drink barons have made heavy investments in this game and have high stakes in it. Blinded by their commercial interests, they don't see its accompanying evils like match-fixing, betting and satta.

Ram Gopal,

A-2B/94-A, Ekta Apartments,

Paschim Vihar,

New Delhi-110 063.

* * *

Well done, MCD

Sir, -- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is generally criticised for lack of public response to the numerous problems faced by the Capital's citizens such as bad roads and poor sanitation, but the prompt attention paid by MCD to my complaint No. 1664 dated 08/04/04 recorded on phone No.27464656 pertaining to replacement of a manhole cover facing the service lane of my residence K(U)-6, Pitampura, was astonishingly heartening.

Soon after the complaint, one Mr. Pawan was deputed to my house for inspection and the following day the manhole cover was replaced, bringing much relief to pedestrians, particularly children!

That I did not have to run after the local MLA or Corporator who appear just once in five years and that too if expediency so requires is remarkable indeed. Obviously I wish the MCD all the best.

N.S.Kapur,

K(U)-6, Pitampura, Delhi-110 088.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi