The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Good, but confused

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Good, but confused

Though the decision to declare September 15 a holiday to mark the centenary of C.N. Annadurai was good, it created a lot of confusion among the public and especially the private industries. Decisions like these should be made in advance and not at the last moment, that too on a Sunday.

V. Srinivasan,

Hosur

Human endurance

This refers to the report about the protests against power cuts which have affected all sections of society (Sept. 12). The poor have had to bear the brunt of the power cuts most. Prices of kerosene and other essential commodities have touched unprecedented heights. Small-scale industries have been affected. Since the government has made arrangements to get power from other states, it is hoped that there will be uninterrupted supply soon. The current economic situation is gloomy and the rate of inflation has become alarming. Green peas from the Nilgiris cost Rs. 250 a kilogram while earlier it was only Rs. 50. The poor in India have shown an extraordinary resilience, patience and endurance by stoically resigning to their fate. But the government should not take the masses for granted and should realise that human patience cannot be stretched beyond a certain limit.

M. Vathapureeswaran,

Tiruchengode.

Plan properly

The Government has done the correct thing, though belatedly, by announcing that there is no need for ration card to get LPG. Whenever the government decides to take a drastic measure involving lakhs of citizens it should think of the consequences and plan accordingly. The requirement for ration cards for gas supply had put lakhs of people in great difficulty. The scheme ‘rice for rupee one a kilogram’, though commendable, will also disappoint many. Even now many ration shops turn away people saying that there is no stock. Will the government ensure continuous flow of rice to the ration shops to make the scheme successful?

N. Sreedharan,

Salem.

Train timings

The Indian Railways has recorded remarkable growth both in profits and network expansion. However, little seems to have been done to ensure punctuality of trains. I am a weekly train commuter from Erode to Bangalore (train number 2678). While the train usually arrives at Erode on time, it never reaches Bangalore at the scheduled time of arrival. The delay is generally for an hour and occurs between Hosur and Bangalore stations because of unscheduled stops for crossing of an oncoming train on the single line. I fail to understand why the railways cannot run trains in a synchronised manner to avoid unscheduled stops and maintain the scheduled departure and arrival timings as printed in the railway time table. The advancement in the departure time of the train from Coimbatore has made no difference. Does the railways realise the inconvenience of the commuters, especially when they have to catch a connecting train?

R. Suresh,

Erode.

Take care of them

In all cities and towns mentally challenged persons of both sexes wander in shabby clothes. The social welfare department should pick up such persons throughout the state and admit them in Kilpauk Mental Hospital or some other hospitals and provide them free medical treatment. The government gives free TVs, dothis, saris etc. to people. Why then the government can’t look after the mentally challenged persons wandering aimlessly?

G.N. Devaraj,

Bhavanisagar

Respect the aged

On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, which falls on October 1, I wish them a healthy and happy life. “Grey hairs should be respected,” so goes the adage. But a painful definition of a senior citizen has been given as “a person who lacks basic motor skills and the ability to hear, drive, stand up straight, walk, think clearly or provide basic financial support for himself/herself”. Senior citizens are treated as a load on the existing system. Revolution in information technology and globalisation has shrunk the family. The young are busy with their careers, the middle-aged with achieving position and prestige.

The fast-paced lifestyle changes of the new generation have left the senior citizens in a quandary, especially in times of medical need. In their twilight years, the senior citizens deserve a decent living, dignified treatment and security. Many states are yet to notify the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 which makes it mandatory for children to take care of their parents and grandparents in their old age.

B. Sripada Rajan,

Coimbatore.

Tributes to PR

It was a delight to read R. Vaigai’s article on P. Ramamurti (Sept. 20). The article touches all aspects of the character of a great Communist. PR, as Mr. Ramamurti was affectionately called, was influenced by the ideology of Communism which in our time had spread widely and made a great impact on the course of world history. He played an active part in fighting for the working class. He was a revolutionary democrat and a powerful speaker.

N. Shanmuga Priya,

Coimbatore.

Remembering PR

Reminiscence of R. Vaigai on P. Ramamurti is heart-rending. Karl Marx had said: “Not for me a life untroubled, not for this tempestuous soul.” PR’s political, social and family life corroborates Marx’s words. One can see him not only as a great revolutionary but also as a personification of the most noble qualities, moral beauty, simplicity and truthfulness and unconquerable optimism the roots of which lay in his unshakable faith in the inevitable dawn of a new era in the history of humanity, the era of Communism.

K.P.K. Peehiannan,

Coimbatore.

Inequitable

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has announced an intensive load shedding programme from September 1 to tide over the acute power crisis in the state. Consumers in Chennai city will suffer load shedding for an hour-and-a-half, Chennai suburban area two hours and the rest of Tamil Nadu for five hours. This is inequitable. Every citizen in the state has the right of equality and privilege. Hence the rationale behind the load shedding duration is illogical. Certain segments of consumers have been advised to go for captive generator sets as a standby during peak hours. But where should we go for the scarce fuel such as petrol, kerosene and diesel for generators? The government should promulgate strict austerity measures such as banning decorative lights, lights used for hoardings, neon lights and illumination of marriage halls, temples and huge thatched pandals put up for political conferences. All shops should be closed at 10 p.m.

M.V. Namby,

Coimbatore.

Bank facility

Old towns like Palani do not have adequate facilities such as bus, bank and ATM. The area covering Palani Mariamman Temple, Perianayaki Amman Temple and Lakshmi Narasimman Temple is devoid of essential facilities such as bank ATM and bus. People living near these temples and pilgrims find it difficult to transact money because of lack of banking facilities.

M.S. Sankaran,

Palani.

(Readers can mail to cbereaders@thehindu.co.in with address and phone number)

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