As long as it heals
I read with great interest the articles under the title ‘Spiritual Supermarket’. It is true that many spiritual gurus are charlatans. But it is unfair to label all spiritual persons as rogues just as it is unfair to label all doctors as corrupt or incompetent. As Prema Kasturi wrote “The key issue here is, are traditional beliefs economically viable and nominally effective?”
Dr. Gaekwad answers this query “A lot of clinical cases too are sought to be resolved through tantrik means on the premise that it’s without a side effect and doesn’t cost as much,” If so, why not?
Most diseases are psychosomatic and can be healed by suggestion. Certain diseases cannot be healed even by established systems of medicine. So, as long as the spiritual guru does not resort to fraud and criminal activities and does not charge anyone, what is wrong to get cured by a spiritual healer? In this age of rising medical costs due to commercial medicine, this should come as a boon to many!
Madhu M
Malappuram
Prema Kasturi has very poignantly brought out why faith healing thrives in India (“Weight of tradition”, Magazine, April 26). Yes, it is prevalent not only in rural areas but also a majority of urban folk resort to these tactics. These traits are ingrained in the minds of the people due to their traditional background and very hard to get rid of unless there is a revolutionary change in the mindset.
K. Nehru Patnaik,
Visakhapatnam
The coexistence of high literacy rate and over-credulousness in matters concerning religious/ spiritual affairs is a disturbing reality of contemporary Kerala society. It is obvious that a scientific temper is yet to take root in the State despite high social development and widespread education. One hopes that the occasional exposes in this regard in the media would help a large number of people realise their mistake and thereby ensure that the influence of godmen and the like would wane in course of time.
P. Prasand Thampy,
Thiruvalla
Prema Kasturi correctly points to the power of faith in healing. Even though the major chunk of the rural population of India still resorts to traditional methods, The NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) has brought noticeable changes in improving healthcare access in recent years. So also, the percentage of people seeking medical assistance has gone up. It would be more appropriate to mention that traditional methods now serve as an adjunct to modern medicine in bringing about cure to a variety of illnesses.
Dr. Rajasree Pai
Thiruvananthapuram
Time for change
Dr. Sebastian’s article on Shanno, “Seven bricks on a little girl” (Magazine, April 26), was one the saddest articles that I have come across. I used to be a firm believer in corporal punishment (The cane), to an extent, but this article has completely changed my perspective. I had never seen “punishment” from a child’s point of view... This article truly brought tears to my eyes. The whole nation was aghast at the unfairness of it all but it’s so easy to point fingers. I feel all of us should start the change from home. I love my children more than anything in this world, and they love me too, but I am sure there have been moments where they obey me due to sheer terror and not love! And I am so ashamed of this. The article is an eye-opener, and I am going to bring about a change within my vast family. I am hoping I can do something about this in the local schools too.
Annie Chakola,
Thrissur
Kudos to Dr. Sebastian Gruschke for his brilliant article. He rightly analyses that the family, school, legal loopholes, politicians and society as a whole are responsible for the tragic deaths of children like Shanno Khan. A society is best judged by the way it treats its children, women, the old and the minorities. And physical as well as mental atrocities against our children are increasing by leaps and bounds with each passing day, thereby exposing India in a very poor light. These beastly incidents not only terminate the innocent budding lives, even those who survive the ordeal get psychologically shattered forever. Now, with every political party and leader promising the moon, have we heard even a single voice for the vulnerable children community who form the future of this nation?
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata
With reference to "At the mercy of a brutal system" (Magazine, April 26), it says it’s time that the students are made aware of their rights. But, are not they too small to know what is a right? In the primary level of schooling, I think students should be left with their innocence and the atmosphere should be friendly to suit their age. They even should be kept away from the fear of teacher and the concept of obedience. And nothing but only schools and teachers can do it. No child is dull, it is made dull. The teaching profession needs a great amount of patience; only then can such brutality can be prevented.
Tarala S. Deshpande
Belgaum,
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