Widows need dignity

THIS has reference to Vrinda Nabar’s article titled "Is widowhood the end of the road for women?" (November 20). Although times have changed considerably since the time when sati was practised on a large scale, widowhood is still considered to be a curse in Hindu society.While instances of sati may be few and far between, widowhood in its other horrific forms is still a reality.

Not much has been done to mitigate the sufferings of widows. Rejected by their families and ostracised by society, the widows in our country lead lives of isolation, penury and misery. No doubt the government and welfare agencies are engaged in the task of ameliorating the economic lot of widows but they need empathy, self-respect and dignity much more than financial assistance. Society should create such conditions as could induce more and more widows to opt for re-marriage.

S. K. MARWAHA

New Delhi

Miss a meal

Apropos of Khushwant Singh’s column ‘Miss a meal and remain healthy‘ (November 20), the secret of good health and longevity is a balanced diet. Missing a meal is good but more than that it is the quality of food and not its quantity that matters. A good diet depends on knowing how to choose and prepare food properly. A well-known method of keeping good health calls for more walking and taking a balanced diet and in quantities which do not cause one to become overweight.

O.P. SHARMA

Faridabad

Mystery of love

This refers to Amit Singh’s write-up "Mystery of love" (October 23).

Love is the highest form of devotion and a feeling of brotherhood and goodwill towards other people. "Let us love one another, for love is of God" and "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him", says the First Epistle of John.

Guru Gobind Singh declared: Saach Kahun sun leho sabhai jin prem keeo tin hee prabh paaeo (Hear you all! I speak the truth. He who loves obtains God).

Love nourishes the soul. There is no celestial bliss without love. Pure love has nothing to do with lust. It grows in the hearts of innocent people.

BHAGWAN SINGH

Qadian

Stray dogs

This refers to "Dog haters and astrologers" by Khushwant Singh (November 13).

The population of stray dogs is growing unchecked and they are becoming a menace. The fate of a victim of rabies is too tragic to be described. Animal lovers‘ love for dogs should be balanced by their love for human-beings. I wish they show as much concern and care for poor and disadvantaged human-beings as they show for their pampered pet dogs.

According to the noted writer, dogs are social creatures and hate being excluded from parties. You cannot shower five-star treatment upon your pet dogs at the cost of fellow human-beings.

ONKAR CHOPRA

New Delhi