Mail Bag
Two sides
With reference to “Dialogues in suffereing”, all Indians feel sad about what is going on in Kashmir. But it has two sides to it. The article depicted the plight of muslim youth and their despair. At the same time, it should be noted that the plight of Hindu pundits who fled their own land due the atrocities committed by Islamic extremists are equally deplorable. The best way to resolve the problem, may be a long term one, is to repeal Article 370 and bring Kashmir in to mainstream India.
B. Siva
Chennai
It was sad reading about the innocent youth recollecting the bitter memories of their kith and kin tortured under the pretext of aiding or harbouring the terrorists by our military men. As a mother I could feel the intensity of the horrifying moments of the university student from Srinagar, when she recounted a soldier grabbing her hair when she was seven years old.My heart broke when she said that her childhood ended that day. I am personally of the view that torturing innocents merely on suspicion of aiding or harbouring militants is as bad as of militancy and sheer violation of human rights.
Ukkkarai M.Chitra,
Chennai.
Sanitation: Urgent need
In “Wrong priorities” (July 27) Kalpana Sharma has rightly focussed on the basic needs of ordinary people. India is all set to be a super power in a decade or so. But, alas! the poor in the country languish in wretched living conditions sans even sanitation. It is because our priorities are always for multi-crore projects meant mainly for the rich in urban areas.The writer has said it with élan — “the people most affected are often the most powerless”.
N.K. Vijayan,
Kizhakkambalam, Kerala
Kudos to Kalpana Sharma for her touching treatment of the sanitary conditions in our cities. A simple calculation would show that to provide toilet facilities would cost a few hundred crores; a pittance when compared with our periodical Space “Diwalis” This should be taken up on a war footing as “Operation Water-borne Hygiene”. It would not only save a huge chunk on health costs but also obviate sickness and suffering.
N. Dharmeshwaran,
Chennai
The thought-provoking article on the unsavoury facts on defecation in the open detailed the negligent attitude of the Government in providing necessary amenities to the people, particularly to the downtrodden. Rightly has she pointed out that this aspect has not attracted the attention of those in the helm of affairs, whereas its effect has a direct bearing on the life of the people. It is time the officials concerned concentrated on providing good and sufficient amenities to the downtrodden particularly in the remote areas.
Mahesh,
Email
The article made for a sad reading. It brought out well the neglect of sanitation management by successive governments. A nation which takes pride in its advancements in many scientific fields has more than half a billion people defecating in the open. The government should act fast in eliminating this problem by assigning it topmost priority. NGOs may be roped in to assist the government’s efforts.
M. Palaniappan,
Madurai
Simple truths
This is in response to the article “Accounts” (July 27) by Mini Krishnan. The article reminded me of many such instances in my day-to-day life, wherein similar acts of nobility have been encountered and that too mostly from ordinary people. The closing sentence of the article, “I forgot to ask his name” was indeed a pointer to the fact that we often tend to forget to acknowledge such honourable behaviour. The simple yet touching piece reminds us that life is after all beautiful because of such subtle moments.
Hridya S. Sekhar,
Bangalore
The write-up by Mini Krishnan brings out with astonishing clarity the role played by actions in moulding human character. It is often from quiet, simple folk that great actions worthy of emulation, have come. Kudos to the writer for opening our eyes to meaningful lives that go unnoticed in our daily existence!
Dr. V. Mani Iyer,
Coimbatore
Helping others
I really appreciate the article on practising ahimsa in real life. These days the ego rules the individual, which is the reason why people have lost compassion for others and get jealous, angry or scared. In this ever-confrontational world, I have started doubting compassionate gestures, but after reading the article I have regained my ideals. The best way to lead life is to be helpful to others around us.
Navya,
Email
Sporting goals
The article “In it to win it” (July 27) showed how hard China has worked, with a plan, purpose, perseverance and determination to increase its medal tally in the Olympics. But what is our plan? We are about 25 years behind, not even having reached their 1984 position. What about our plan for the 2010 Commonwealth games? Can we not at least now make a start like China with definite goals? Or has cricket become the opium of the masses?
A . Jacob Sahayam,
Thiruvananthapuram
Readers are requested to send in their responses to the articles published in the Magazine to:
sundaypost@thehindu.co.in
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