Political change
This has reference to the article on “Let’s rock the elections” (Magazine, April 19). It is true that not only the youth but the people too are fed up with corrupt politicians. Everybody wants a change or a difference in the political arena. But it has become a distant dream, for, our politicians are corrupt and their sole ideology is power and power alone.
Those who are in the age group of 35 now, should have voted in the last four elections. They could not bring in any change in the political arena four times in a row. Even now it is not possible even if the youth in large numbers participate in the elections. Politicians make unholy alliances before and after the elections in this coalition era so as to share power. So coalition politics has become handy for the political class to promote their wants. Even with a tally of some four or five MPs, regional and small parties demanding vital ministerial berths has become the order of the day. In this situation how can one expect a change?
Debates on the main issues addressing the people are conspicuous by their absence today among the political class whether it is inside or outside the Parliament. People should also be given the right to recall their corrupt and otherwise inept elected representatives so as to bring in a sea change in our political scenario.
Sravana Ramachandran,
Ooty
Though the country got liberated from the shackles of a monolithic party, every party leader is only interested in promoting his kith and kin even though they have no talent to take up the reins of the party or serve the people. As long as politics in our country remains personality-, not programme- oriented, the cry of youth will be unheard in the echelons of parliament. However, it is heartening to note that at last sense seems to dawn on parties looking at the way educated and honest youth with humble background have been inducted. Against this backdrop, the honest young brigade should remain a watchdog so that criminals do not get into politics at any cost and this is the only way to usher in clean and good governance.
K.R.Srinivasan,
Secunderabad
Hunger in the city
Harsh Mander, in his article, “Hidden hunger” (Magazine, April 19) has beautifully portrayed the link between homelessness and hunger. The street of every Indian city is home to thousands of poor families deprived of food and shelter. Most of the families migrate from villages in search of better opportunities. The article clearly indicates that begging is the only source of food and money for then to survive.
Srinath.M.
Noida
Harsh Mander’s article made depressing reading. It is scandalous that many street dwellers in our cities go hungry or half fed while on the other hand our richer classes splurge on fancy food and drinks in our star hotels without any thought or concern for their unfortunate brethren. This situation must change. It is inexcusable that anyone should go to bed on an empty stomach. Recollect Poet Bharathiar’s vehement words “will destroy the world even if one soul starves”.
C.P.Srinivasan,
Chennai
Prejudiced media?
The article “Memories of violence” by Kalpana Sharma (Magazine, April 19) emphasises the fact that “people do not forget or forgive past wrongs, especially when there has been no attempt to ensure justice”. Does the same yardstick not apply to the relatives of hapless Hindu pilgrims burnt alive mercilessly in a train compartment near Godhra, or Swami Lakshmananda who was brutally murdered in Orissa, or the migrant Pandits, who faced ethnic cleansing in Kashmir? After all what is sauce for goose is the sauce for gander!
When is India’s English Media going to come out of this prejudicial mindset?
R.S. Ravichandran
Bangalore.
Space to grow
In response to the article, “Setting limits on love” (Magazine, April 19), love and respect are both the sides of the same coin. Every relationship should be nourished in a proper way for it to be sustained. Without respect and personal freedom no relation can survive.
Jackson John,
Jalandhar
While upholding one’s individual identity and giving space to others is the crux of healthy relations, the truth is that we often try to trespass others’ freedom and expect him/ her to live the way we wish them to. No doubt sometimes women also are possessive of their men folk but often it is man who suppresses and exploits his woman companion – be it a mother, a sister or a wife. Notwithstanding the growing spread of women’s education and her attempt to assert her individuality, we are always on the look-out for opportunities when she can be pushed back to the wall. Our age-old feudal mindset has refused to change even with the vast technological development.
Ved K. Guliani,
Bangalore.
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