Whose life is it anyway?

WITH reference to the article "Whose life is it anyway" by Reenu Narula (March 14), the Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code states punishing a person who attempts to commit suicide with the imprisonment of one year. It should be stated in this connection that in many countries attempt to commit suicide is regarded more as a manifestation of the diseased condition of the mind deserving treatment and care rather than as an offence to be visited with punishment. Even euthanasia entitles the accussed in England to get the benefit of diminished responsibility. A person admitted in a hospital is rightly called a ‘patient’, and a patient cannot be considered to have a will of sound mind when he asks for euthanasia. Section 84 states as nothing to be an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, is of unsound mind. Thus Section 309 and Section 84 contradict each other.

It has also been realised that determinded suicide can never be prevented by the fear of one year’s punishment as Section 309 seeks to achieve. It is high time that we abolished this section from the penal law of India.

VIVEK SINH MAR GIRAN
Kurukshetra

Courage to take risks

Taru Bahl’s article "The courage to take risks" (February 19) encourages us to take risks to be successful in life. Courage plays an important role in a person’s life. A courageous and strong willed person can’t be easily carried away by worldly doubts. He knows his strength and weaknesses and does not attempt the impossible.

A man may conquer thousands of invincible foes but that is of no real consequence. His greatest victory is when he conquers only his own self through indomitable courage.

Courage to take risks does not always bring the desired results.

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live, taking the form of a readiness to die. Those who love to take risks know that often the test of courage is not to die but to live.

NEELAM SHARMA
Chandigarh

Building bridges

This refers to the article "She builds bridges with her heart’’ by Thangamani (February 28).

Female characteristics are considered embodiments of excellence in the field of education, money, courage and purity are Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga and Ganga respectively.

Women are more emotional as they are governed by their hearts.

When nature has been munificent enough to give woman the qualities to be the architects of civilisation, it should be the duty of man to give her due regards she deserves.

ANUP K. GAKKHAR
Jalandhar

II

The instant rapport and empathy that women share is because their cares, constraints and concerns are universal. The emotional affinity they share with each other transcends geography, language, culture and age barriers. Women are conditioned to share and give.

The writer has rightly highlighted "No matter how high in the official ladder a woman may climb, she is first a mother". It is only when a woman is bearing and suckling a baby does nature place practical constraints on her behaviour. However, it is pity that throughout the world, biology is used as a rationale for women’s subordination to men. In fact it is the overwhelming maternal instinct in women raises their stature vis-a-vis males.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Delhi

With men, not without

The article "Saans: A breath of fresh air" by Vimla Patil (February 28) was thought-provoking. It is a welcome sign that women who once ventured to break social rules to prove their strength or individualism have at last realised that they need a solid base to their life. Neena Gupta’s utterances as quoted in this article prove the point.

It is heartening to note that Neena Gupta has revised her views and so should all the extremist elements in the woman’s liberation movement. While I support the cause — full dignity self esteem freedom equal rights for women etc — I appeal to them to pay heed to Neena Gupta’s advice: "Women have to work out problems with men and not without them."

ONKAR CHOPRA
Delhi

Virtue that heals

Apropos of the write up, "The virtue that heals" by Taru Bahl was thought-provoking (March 7), hating people is like burning one’s own house to get rid of a rat.

Those who always keep the feelings of revenge in their minds, keep their injuries always afresh. By forgiving others we not only improve the behaviour of others but also enjoy peace of mind. Though it is more difficult to forgive a friend than an enemy, who misses the opportunity to forgive, deprives oneself of the most sublime enjoyments of the life. Forgiveness relieves one from the apprehensive tensions of threats, enmity etc. and knits new threads of friendship. Perhaps this is the logics behind the quotes like, "to forgive is good but to forget is better" and forgiveness is the noblest form of revenge.

ANUP K. GAKKHAR
Jalandhar