Mail Bag
Politics of hatred
Harsh Mander’s “Azhar’s story: A Miracle of Love” (September 7) is a heart-rending account. This poignant story goes to prove the fact that in any communal riot, it’s always the poor that suffer. The wounds of Shakila Bano his wife and Azhar his son might have been healed, but what about the mental agony that the whole family has undergone? When will the police force in India give up its brutality? When will the religious fanatics learn the true meanings of their religions? When will this politics of hatred come to an end? The secular minded people of India should come out of their shells and act immediately.
P.Vijayakumar,
Madurai
I really envy both Azhar for having such beautiful parents and the parents for having an intelligent boy. I wish and pray for his full recovery and a very successful life.
Colonel (Retd) C.R. Devanathan
Email
The article is extremely touching. It throws light upon the reckless action taken by the local policemen and the hasty conclusion that led to so much violence. It is appalling to learn that the murder of two people led to so much mayhem and grief for so many innocent people. Azharuddin now stands as a living memory of the gruesome, causeless violence that shook the lives of many. The article also throws light upon the dissimilar approach of various Indians; the police who were reluctant to file a complaint and the doctors who showed no prejudice to save Azharuddin.
Tahameem Sultana,
Bengaluru
It’s only the common man who suffers at the hand of communalism. Still people do not understand that they should live in harmony with each other. Imam’s love for Azhar turned an impossible thing into a possibility. It’s only love and care for others that can ensure communal peace in the world.
Alok Prakash
Srinagar
Civic sense
The author’s description of her Paris tour on bicycle in “ Paris sans guilt” (September 7) gave me the feeling that I was virtually cycling along its beautiful avenues, the narrative being so enlivening. For a crowded and busy city attracting millions of tourists from across the world, I am amazed by the efforts of the civic authorities to keep the air pollution levels under check.. I yearn for a similar civic sense on the part of our local authorities as well as citizens.
C.P. Srinivasan
Chennai
Need to be frank
With reference to Bill Kirkman’s “Turbulence ahead” (September 7), though Alistair Darling’s statement that the world is on “the threshold of an economic disaster” may appear to be blunt and pessimistic, it is thought-provoking, if taken in the right spirit.
Politicians, while in power, tend to paint a rosy picture of the economic condition of their nations. On the other hand, if those at the helm of affairs put things in black and white, people will make the necessary adjustments in their day-to-day lives and prepare themselves for any eventualities.
P. U. Krishnan
Udhagamandalam
Touching
I read with interest Usha Jesudasan’s “A heart that can feel” (September 7). I would like to share my daughter’s story, who showed me what an empathising heart could be. When her friend’s mother died, the school sent the children to visit the bereaved girl’s home. I learned that my daughter cried profusely there. I was surprised. Then it occurred to me: the ability to cry is the best form of release of emotion. When you are grieving, tears cleanse your heart. Basically we come to know our self on such occasions. By reaching out to people in pain we discover what we are.
A. Rajakumar
Nagercoil
Sensitive handling
The tête-À-tête with ace cinematographer and director Santosh Sivan on his latest movie “Tahaan” (September 7) made interesting reading. Santosh Sivan deserves kudos for his latest venture where he has beautifully essayed the migrant problems of Kashmiris and was able to handle the sensitive issue sensitively.
R. Sekar
Visakhapatnam
Across worlds
It is heartening to see that a new crop of young Pakistani writers in English are making waves these days (“A voice of their own”, Literary Review, September 7). Many of them are based in the West and their novels are set in the country of their origin. Little wonder then that their characters crisscross from London to Lahore and vice versa. Their education in London has stood these writers in good stead. They are more cosmopolitan, more liberal, and more empathetic, and write better English and better fiction than any migrant group.
B. H. Shanmukhappa
Davanagere
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