The Hindu : New Delhi News : Reader's Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 07, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Reader's Mail

Tree slaughter

I am shocked and outraged to read newspaper reports about plans to axe one thousand trees on the Delhi University campus to make way for a rugby field.

I have been living on the campus since I was eight years old and now I am 17 -- that's nine long years and counting. Ask me about the importance of these trees in our life.

The air we breathe here on the campus is purer than anywhere else in the city just because of these trees.

They are home to countless birds ranging from the common sparrow to the majestic peacock.

The chirping of these birds the whole day and particularly in the evening when they return to these trees is music to the ears. The trees also provide refuge to students during the hot sweltering summer days. Besides, they improve the overall appearance of the campus.

Destroying one's roots in the name of development (in this case a rugby field) is counter-productive.

What about all those slogans like "Green Delhi" and "Plant more trees"? Our hon'ble Chief Minister and her Government seem to have forgotten about their own initiated policies in the face of the Commonwealth Games.

It is our duty to make sure that not a single tree is harmed.

There are large tracts of empty land elsewhere in the city and adjoining areas which can possibly be used for construction of rugby fields.

If Delhi University loses its trees because of the Commonwealth, it will surely lose its common wealth, its soul and sustenance.

Hari Nair,

27 Teachers' Flats,

Miranda House,

Delhi University,

Delhi - 110 007.

Railways' ways

I want to draw the attention of Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad to the need to ensure safety, security and well-being of passengers.

I was travelling by Swatantra Sainani Express from Darbhanga to Aligarh on the 22nd of April by A/C 2nd class (berth No.16). On the way, I was taken ill with high fever.

For three hours I was in touch with the coach conductor of the train for an emergency medicine like paracetamol that might be lying in the first aid box, but the conductor expressed his inability to manage one. There was no emergency medicine whatsoever in the first aid box.

By all indications, there was no such box at all. Ultimately, after a long search through the travellers' chart, a lady doctor travelling by the train was contacted and consulted.

She was kind enough to provide the required medicines. Thanks to her, I got relief at last.

It is really a very sorry state of affairs that the Indian Railways have no concern for the well-being of their customers.

I expect the authorities to look into the matter and provide medicines aboard all trains.

M. Z. Akhtar,

Akhtar Manzil,

Street No. 4,

Greater Azad Enclave (W),

Dhorra Mafi,

Aligarh (UP).

Sick hospitals

The Delhi Chief Minister announced on April 28 that 36 new hospitals would be set up in Delhi.

Before announcing plans for new hospitals, the Government should explain what it is doing to improve the deplorable conditions at the major hospitals already in existence.

I had the occasion to visit LNJP Hospital to seek medical advice for my daughter who had a rather unusual ailment.

While the specialists we got to see were extremely professional and provided the best advice, the conditions in which I found them working were appalling, to say the least.

Many of the buildings were in a dilapidated state - not suitable for even a revenue office, leave alone a hospital. Medical waste was strewn in the garden.

The specialists did not have enough support staff to manage the large crowd of waiting patients. Overall, it was an environment that would make even the healthy sick.

Can one expect the Government to come out with a plan to improve the lot of the major hospitals as proof of their commitment to better health services rather than merely playing to the gallery?

Kannan Kasturi,

17, Qutub View Apartments,

Katwaria Sarai,

New Delhi - 110 016.

A good idea?

I applied to Idea Cellular Ltd for a mobile connection under Plan 998. When they called me, I explained to them that I have no proof of residence as I am not a native of Delhi. They said that was no problem. I gave them Rs.500 in cash and Rs.498 by cheque.A few days later I got a call from them asking for residence proof.

I explained my inability and told them about the assurance given by their executive.

They then allotted me mobile No. 9911891929. But this number has not been activated so far.

I have made many requests through e-mail for refund of my money but in vain.

I look forward to an immediate refund now.

Pankaj Kumar Agarwal,

929, Ground Floor,

Dr. Mukherjee Nagar,

Delhi - 110 009.

High and dry

The photograph titled "Beating the heat" (April 23) was wonderful.

A more apt title would have been "Drink or die", as the hangman's rope attached to the tap perfectly portrays the dying need for water in the blistering heat.

The sun-bird mostly drinks nectar for its food and liquid needs.

However, this desperate bird in the photograph seems to make do with water from a tap probably due to the intense heat and dust. Sun-birds usually also quench their thirst by drinking from the dewdrops that gather early in the morning on trees and leaves.

This desperate situation shows up the pathetic disregard we have for Mother Nature, cutting down trees, wasting groundwater and polluting water bodies.

N. Shiva Kumar,

House No. 10 - A,

Block C - 72,

Nilgiri Apartments,

Sector - 34,

Noida - 201 301.

(Letters for this column may be sent by e-mail to wsins@thehindu.co.in. They must carry the full postal address of the writer and should be marked "Reader's Mail".)

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