Through the written word
K. A. MARTIN
|
Her letter is a powerful one indeed.
|
Chinnu Mariya Tom, a Plus One student at St. Sebastian's Higher Secondary School, Kandanadu, near Kottayam, stood first in a letter-writing competition organised by the Mahatma Gandhi National Foundation, Pala. This was to write against film actor Mohanlal appearing in an advertisement promoting a brand of alcoholic drink. Chinnu begins by saying that she was pained by the advertisement and that the letter was being written to the busy actor in a bid to convey to him the sentiments of people like her.
As the recipient of the Padmashree, the film star had an added responsibility to oppose drinking.
The letter also said that there were people who sought products like lungis and curry powders endorsed by the actor and as such the actor should have been aware of the influence he would have on young people.
Appeal
It was shocking to know that the actor dismissed his critics, she said. The letter went on to point out that the criticism was not directed against Mohanlal personally but against alcoholism. Alcoholism is claiming hundreds of families in Kerala and Chinnu says that she is not aware of urban social fashions but as a girl from a village she is convinced that alcohol is poison. The letter ends with an appeal to the actor to withdraw from the advertisement and urges him to issue a statement publicly opposing the use of alcohol.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Young World
