The Hindu : Opinion / News Analysis : Corrections and clarifications

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Saturday, Sep 30, 2006
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Opinion - News Analysis

Corrections and clarifications

The infobox and a sentence in "Maoists to improve coordination" (September 29, 2006) was: "South Asia, the committee [Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia (CCOMPOSA)] felt, has become a `burning cauldron' of the revolutionary movements." A reader points out that it should have been "boiling cauldron".

A reader writes: "The media often refers to humanitarian crises, humanitarian tragedies, etc. For instance, in the last paragraph of the report `India invites three parties from Sri Lanka' (September 25, 2006), there is a reference to `humanitarian crises'. The adjective `humanitarian' is that relating to or holding the views of humanitarians, which means persons who seek to promote human welfare (OED). The word `humanitarian' implies something good or humane. How can a crisis or tragedy be `humanitarian'?" Humanitarian consequences, human tragedy, human crisis, are possible alternatives.

In "Psychologist and anthropologist" ("World of Science" — Young World, September 15, 2006, page 2), it was stated that Margaret Mead attended Barnard College, where she worked with Frank Boas — one of the first researchers in a new field called cultural anthropology. A reader points out that it should have been Franz Boas. Boas (1858 - 1942), a German-American anthropologist, began to lecture at Columbia in 1896. In 1899, he became its first professor of anthropology, a position he held for 37 years. Boas greatly influenced American anthropology, particularly in his development of the theoretical framework known as cultural relativism. He taught and inspired a generation of anthropologists, notably Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict, who pioneered the "culture and personality" school of anthropology.

In "Acupuncturist held for cheating, money recovered" (Chennai city, September 28, 2006, page 3), the strapline was "Five of his associates were also detained". A reader points out that in reports on criminal activities, the word "accomplice" (= "an associate in guilt; a partner in crime") is a better word. "Associate" is used in a positive sense.

A reader points out that the heading "Burglars loot mobile handsets from showroom" (Chennai city, September 29, 2006, page 3) was inaccurate. "Loot" implies "plundering and robbing a city or a shop after violent events". In this case, there was no violence involved, so "steal" would have been a better word. In the same edition (page 5), another reader points out that the heading "Jewels burgled" was wrong. Jewels are stolen, the reader adds.

In clarifying an error ("Corrections and Clarifications", September 28, 2006), we spelt "Tatatakai" (= "irresistible valour") correctly first, and, in the second instance, incorrectly, as "Tatakai". A few readers have pointed out this error.

It is the policy of The Hindu to correct significant errors as soon as possible. Please specify the edition (place of publication), date and page.

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