Andhra Pradesh   

In humble service

In humble service

The decision of the Government to continue the services of Dr. W. Seetharam of the Government General Hospital at Kurnool for five more years after his recent retirement is commendable. He is a close parallel to Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the German medical missionary who served the ailing natives of Africa.

Recently, when reminded that he is a "living legend," his reaction was only a modest shake of the head and a wave of his hands. I am reminded of a line from Tagore in this connection: "The cloud stood humbly in the corner of the sky, the morning crowned it with glory."

K.S.S.Sarma,

Kurnool

If worm can cure,

why not fish?

In Hyderabad, the Gowd family has been using live fish to cure asthma every year. The medicine is for free and many people throng the place from all over India and abroad too.

Jana Vignana Vedika, a forum for popularising and promoting scientific temper, kicked up a row and created many problems for patients and people who believed in the efficacy of this medicine. A scientific probe at highest level probably may settle the issue. The recent findings by a team of British scientists on a similar subject may help settle the controversy.

According to the findings a tiny topical hookworm "Ancydostoma duodenale" could provide a cure for asthma and hay fever. The live worm will wriggle though skin into the lung through the blood stream, into the intestine and suck blood from its walls. This infection will trigger an immune process and this will apparently cure asthma. Isn't it similar to the fish cure?

G. Azeemoddin

Anantapur

Cruelty in the

name or ragging

I was shocked to read a report which appeared in The Hindu on August 9, 2006 about a student losing his left hand in ragging. The incident should be strongly condemned. The college principal should take stringent action against those responsible. Ragging is prevalent in most professional colleges with senior students harassing freshers and publicly humiliating them. In many cases, the `victims' take the extreme step or slip into depression.

Policy makers should seriously think about this issue and formulate norms to curb it. Private managements, principals and senior faculty members too should take initiatives along with senior students and rein in the culprits. Strict vigilance is the only way out. Counselling too should help in some way.

M. Nazeeruddin

Kurnool

Joys of reading

The Hindu -CNN IBN survey on the "attitudinal profile of the young," reveals reading habit among students is on the decline. Biographies of stalwarts and inspirational speeches must be included in school and college curriculum. Days of national importance are declared holidays as a ritual, without students being made aware of their significance. Youth must be encouraged to fight against corruption and anti-national activities.

J. Hanumath Sastri

Kadapa

Kurnool

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

Stories in this Section

Five bogies of train destroyed in fire
``Office of Profit Bill favours Congress, Left leaders''
A.P. Minister promises assistance to farmers
The crucial four years
Take care of cut-offs in CAT
In humble service
Wanted new culture
Mend your broken dreams
IIM-A, NIIT ink pact
Congress activist murdered
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu