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With reference to “Gandhi: From substance to shadow” (March 23) the author’s perspective on Gandhi in the present scenario is thought-provoking . Ironically, Gandhiji’s face on the Indian rupee keeps the Father of the Nation alive in our memory, though not as one who led the country to freedom.

Mahatma Gandhi’s name and also his image are used in our country to achieve selfish motives and further one’s own interest. Gandhi stood for honesty and truthfulness. Who needs these virtues; it is enough if he smiles in our currency notes for ever.

Chitra Padmanabhan has woven a fine piece.Though there was not much of substance in the article, it attempted to bring out how we cling more to images related to the Mahatma than the real message his life conveys.

As pointed out by Chitra Padmanabhan, we have made Gandhiji’s image omnipresent but are not mature enough to follow his principles even remotely. We have accorded divine status to him and worship him without attempting to rise to his level. But, our politicians irrespective of their principles, use his weapon, namely fasting, to achieve their demands, though they crave for wide publicity unlike Gandhiji.

With reference to “A Legacy of Protest and Resistence” (March 23), the plight of the female workers in the garment industry in other parts of the country is no different from those in Bangalore.They are ill-paid, toil long hours, lack health care and crèche facilities, weekly holidays and other statutory benefits. The authorities should step in urgently to alleviate the working conditions of the workers in this industry.

It is tragic to note that women are not only underpaid for the same work done by men but also that they are subjected to verbal abuse and sexual harassment and gender humiliation. Bangalore can boast of its Silicon Valley status only if the problems of garment workers are addressed by the concerned authorities. The celebration of “International women’s day” will be a sham until the poorer sections are emancipated from poverty, discrimination and exploitation.

Kalpana Sharma’s “And now the good news” (March23) is inspirational. The notion that rural women are vulnerable, exploitable and restricted to daily chores has been proved wrong by the Dalit and Kol women of Chitrakoot. Apart from sending strong signals to the forces that regard them as second sex, they have sent inspirational waves to women leading a secluded and anonymous life. In bringing out Khabar Lahariya in a collaborative way I think they have raised themselves above their urban counterparts.