Looking back
I read with interest the article “India 62: Soaring high?” (Magazine, August 16). I was just a child of seven years when the flag pole was erected in the early hours on the premises of Selaliparai Estate Factory of the erstwhile James Finlay & Co Ltd (Incorporated in Great Britain, now owned by Tata Coffee) and the tricolour flag was hoisted at 7.30 hours and that day marked the end of singing “God Save the Queen” which was sung by my father who was the Headmaster and the only teacher at the elementary school at Selaliparai Estate. While it is a fact that there has been fantastic growth in various fields, it is a bitter fact that human safety and humaneness are not valued as much these days. Except praying to the Lord to bless our great nation, what else can we do?
N.E. Appasamy,
Gudimangalam
For elders like me, who had left classes heeding the “Quit India” call in 1942 and celebrated Independence day in 1947 with great joy, the progress has been slow. Despite all the progress and good promises, if we cannot end corruption, Caste-Panchayat atrocities, restore the rights and rehabilitation of displaced poor, all our efforts to achieve nine per cent growth may not give the desired results.
Jacob Sahayam,
Thiruvananthapuram
For lasting peace
The article “Amid spilt blood: A steady voice” by Harsh Mander (Magazine August 16) rightly points to the critical fact that in trying to solve the Naxal problem, the government has not always been just. The government has many times used its power against the Maoists inappropriately. And it is becoming clear that violence can never lead to long-lasting peace. It’s high time that more of citizens’ initiatives are allowed to play a lead role here as they have the potential to sensitively handle the problem.
Kaushik Mitra
Itanagar
The large scale violence and vandalism indulged in by the Naxalites are abominable and as such should be dealt with firmly. In this context the argument of Harsh Mander on the need to bring the Naxalites to the negotiating table is palpably weak. The Naxalites operating in various States have spurned many an offer from the State governments and are presently indulging in an unprecedented killing spree that includes innocent people and security forces. They have caused large scale destruction of public property. The continuing violence in Lalgarh and an equally volatile situation in Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh require a strong response from the centre and the States concerned.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan
Srirangam
It should also be taken in to perspective that the Naxal elements don’t want any development activity of the government in the area. In Jharkhand and Orissa, no contractor is ready to take up construction work of roads in the interiors as they are required to pay heavy amounts to Naxals or face kidnapping/killing. In fact, Naxals do not want development so that they can continue to thrive and exploit the masses. They do not want the law of the land to prevail as it would diminish their Robin Hood image. A multi-pronged approach that doesn’t spare antisocial elements can only yield good results.
Kulbir Singh
New Delhi The violence by Naxalites can never be justified. Our failure to stem the violence is entirely due to a weakened policy pursued by the Governments, both central and States.The supply of arms and ammunition to Naxalites from outside has never been tackled effectively by the authorities. Combing operations by police must invove the locals who have proven loyalty to Governments. Stamping out Naxals’ voilence must assume the proportions of a popular social movement.
G.Azeemoddin
Anantapur
Not entertained
The article “In the name of entertainment”, by Sevanti Ninan (Magazine, August 16) has struck the right note vis-À-vis reality shows. With a few exceptions, they are a mockery of our ethos and culture. Shows like “Sach Ka Samna” can’t be viewed by the family together. Why don’t the producers of the show call a politician, or a criminal, or a bureaucrat on the show? It will be more beneficial for society than peeping into bedroom lives of controversial people. The viewers themselves should turn their backs on such shows.
Vaibhav C. Ghalme
New Delhi
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