The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Ironical

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Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Ironical

Sir, — The article, "The unbearable lightness of seeing" (Feb. 5) was heart-rending. More than fifty years after independence, the living standards of the poor have undergone little change, irrespective of the political party in power.

M.C. George,
Kasaragod, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — The slums in and around metropolises seem to have become an eyesore to the elite. But little does it realise that the city life is paralysed without the various services provided by the residents of these slums.

The solution lies either in creating enough employment opportunities in the villages to check migration or to provide moderate housing facilities to these people who are also part of our society.

Sharath Babu,
Noida, U.P.

* * *

Sir, — The commodification of life has crossed all conceivable barriers. Commercialisation of water and other natural resources, and development of eco-tourism have led to tribals being driven out of their habitat in many places.

P. Venkatesh,
Salem, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — If a democratically elected government can show such apathy for the poor and render so many homeless, then there is need for some introspection and soul-searching.

Praveen Ranjan,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — It is strange that the Indian elite rallies round magnificently at the time of each natural disaster but demonstrates insensitivity to the sufferings of the living poor. One reason could be that the effect of natural disasters is made strikingly visible through widespread media reporting. With very few exceptions, livelihood issues of the poor have long been banished from the mainstream media. They have ceased to make any impact on the consciousness of an average Indian.

Manohar Alembath,
Coimbatore, T.N.

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