Weaving woes
The article “As the looms go silent in Benaras” (Magazine, Feburary 1), is an excellent portrayal of the woes confronted by the silk weavers. With liberalisation of imports from China and other countries coupled with lowering of import duties, the government has killed the daily earnings of these poor weavers. It’s a slow death for this cottage industry, slow but certain for sure. It’s time for the government to review its agreement with WTO keeping the larger interests of these thousands of weavers’ survival in mind. Migration of such highly skilled labour is disastrous and it can prove costly to woo them back at a later stage.
Ashok Jayaram,
Bangalore
The article not only showcases the plight of weavers in Benaras but also opens our eyes to the plight of all prestigious traditional industries in our country. If it is silk in Benaras, it is coir, cashew, coconut in Kerala and sericulture in some other States and so on. Globalisation and neo-liberalisation have had much more devastative effect on our traditional sector than any other stream of economy. By blindly pursuing neo-liberal economic policies, our governments are playing havoc with our traditional industries which need to be protected for the benefit of self-reliance, self- respect and preservation of heritage and the livelihood of millions of related workers. The author deserves congratulations for unveiling this serious issue which should provoke our leaders to think positively so as to avoid destruction of our traditional industries and save millions of employees.
Govindankutty P.
Ottappalam
Opening up the skies
The series of articles written on “Safe Skies”, connected with aviation in India, by Captain A. Ranganathan made very interesting reading. These articles have shown us various aspects of safety at various stages of a flight. I do agree pilots today have computers to help them out with various tasks but the pilot has a heavy responsibility, with so many lives depending on him. All that we see standing at the airport is just the jetliner lifting into the sky leaving a lot of noise and vibration. For a common man these are an excellent series of articles. We hope we will get more to read about Safe Skies.
M.M. Rao
Bangalore
This refers to the article “A silent revolution” (Magazine, February 1). As the author has pointed out, it is highly pathetic that around half of India’s population has no toilet facilities and they defecate in the open. However, it is reassuring that a toilet revolution is taking place in the villages in West Bengal and the State is targeted to become the first in the country to achieve total sanitation. Unless the governments are determined to improve the sanitary conditions in the rural areas, the people at the grassroots level can not lead a dignified life.
S. Nallasivan
Tirunelveli
Ignored voices
I am at once elated and excited about the article by Shashi Deshpande (Literary Review, February 1). What she has expressed so lucidly and frankly is what most of us writing in regional languages feel. Here, we are producing work that can be called in a way outstanding. Some of the literature produced in regional languages has universal appeal. They touch the hearts of readers irrespective of their country, culture and creed. In spite of this, sometimes our works do not get to be noticed even in the regional language we write basically for many sectarian reasons. Yes, we envy these few lucky anointed authors, not because of their fame, money etc, but because, their books get noticed. Their ideas get propagated. Their voice is heard across the country while we remain in obscurity. Even our press and visual media have no place for the books of regional writers while these few lucky writers are drooled over and whatever they do or speak becomes sacred. Yes, every word in this article expresses our feelings and frustrations truly as they are.
Kasturi Murali Krishna
Email
Shining through
The article on Maha kavi Bharati (Literary Review, February 1) is well written, capturing his life and poetic journey very lucidly. The translations, since I have read the original in Tamil, have retained the essence and beauty. Kudos for publishing the piece in times like these when rap music and jumbled prose-like poetry are getting popular.
Vijaya Bharat
Jamshedpur
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