Preserve for posterity
With reference to Ramya Sivaraj's "A necessary exile", (April 29) the guide Mootoosamy has done a great service by taking the writer to various museums in the Island. Copies of the records and photographs kept in the Indian folk Museum and Musee de la photagraphie should be kept in safe custody for posterity and should not be allowed to disappear on some pretext later. Similarly the tales of the coolies of South Africa, Guyana and Fiji deserve projection, Will the Ministry of Indians Overseas do the needful?
Dharmapuri K. Balasundram,
Dharmapuri
The coincidence between the end of slavery and beginning of indentured labour in sugar plantations was striking. It revealed how exploitation of human beings continued in one form or the other. The present times are no different. Labour continues to be unpaid and de-unionised. The need of the hour is to learn from history and create conditions conducive for the betterment of paid labour.
Amna Mirza,
Delhi
Pink beauties
Dionne Bunsha's "Unusual migrants" (April 29) made informative reading. Constructing a bridge across Sewri Bay might reduce the distance between Wadala and Navi Mumbai, but it would amount to merciless killing of the flamingos. I hope the movie helps save the exotic birds!
V.K. Joshi,
Lucknow
Local benefits
"Going Local" by Sevanti Ninan (April 29) was absolutely timely and the information provided by the writer is very relevant. Today the world is getting globalised but the value of localisation is coming into demand day by day. And the media that focuses on local news and in local languages benefits the most. Perhaps that's why all the big news channels, newspapers and websites are launching various versions in regional languages. This will help the country preserve its languages.
Shailesh Kumar,
Bangalore
Giant of his era
"An unusual life" by Shashi Tharoor (Apil 29) was interesting. Krishna Menon was an intellectual and political giant of his era. I remember scanning the newspapers during my younger days for his acerbic speeches. It is indeed a pity that this great servant of India died unsung and unwept.
M.K. Bajaj,
Chandigarh
Erudite
S. Muthiah's "Amidst the stacks of the Deep South" (April 29) was an erudite piece that took one to a treasure trove of rare old books and historic pictures of national interest.
O.N. Garg,
Chandigarh
I am very impressed that India's Deep South has some remarkable places like highly educative libraries and institutions. Srivilliputtur is well known for its beautiful and legendary temple but the information regarding the existence of these institutions around it is indeed pleasant news.
V.S. Ganeshan,
Bangalore
Rising trend
This refers to "Ethnography of violence" (April29). Glorifying violence and portrayal of certain castes and regions as symbols of violence is on the rise in many Tamil movies. The trend surely cannot be brushed aside as commercialism. Far from providing any sort of message to society, this dangerous tilt will only help exacerbate caste divisions. It is high time the government took a tough stand against such movies.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam
Limited appeal
With reference to "Will the songster outlive the studio?" by Sharada Ramanathan (April 29), though A.R. Rahman has given us some melodious songs, his dependence on Western instruments has come in the way of striking a bond with the average listeners. This is why most of his songs lack the ability to cross generations. Ironically, he might be an icon in the urban world but there are not many takers for his songs in the rural belt.
Arvind K. Pandey,
Allahabad
Timely advice
Dr. Sengotuvelu's timely article "Bad fats" (April 29 has rightly suggested banning trans fats. Influenced by the Western edible oil industry, he says olive oil is the best though sesame (gingelly) oil is as good or even better as it inhibits the formation of arachidonic acid.
G. Shanmugam,
Madurai
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