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THIS is with reference to the article "Short men, tall troubles" by Manpreet Singh (March 19). I would like to place on record my strong disagreement with the many so called disadvantages and problems suffered by short people due to their height. Contrary to what the writer has mentioned, the height of an individual is purely a function of one’s genetic structure and nutritional content is not a deciding factor at all. As far as attraction to the opposite sex is concerned, what matters the most is the confidence level of the individual as also the manner in which one is able to carry. Tall people are certainly at an advantage during the first encounter with the opposite sex. This can be attributed to the basic instincts inherent in the sub-conscious of human mind. But then the human mind has evolved so much over the years that these base instincts are overshadowed by qualities like intellect, sense of humour and other such attributes which become the decisive factors in companionship. Handsome is what handsome does. It is highly unlikely, keeping the other variables constant, an average girl will prefer a dumb guy just because he is tall. In his monumental book The Power Shift, Alvin Toffler has clearly illustrated the fact that in the present era knowledge is power and it is the grey matter which is dominant over the physical attributes. Knowledge is purely a domain of people who work hard, irrespective of their physical attributes. The disadvantages mentioned by the author are actually applicable to an era when physical prowess was the main parameter of success. (Incidentally, we are beyond that era by thousands of years). |
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| The author talks about an "extensive
study" conducted in England which shows that shorter
men are more likely to be losers and easily succumb to
vices like drinking and smoking. I am not in a position
to repudiate the findings of a survey conducted in a
different set up. Nonetheless a study done closer home
may yield different results. As an example we can take
the case of Punjab as a state. Punjabis on an average are
much taller than the average Indian population but the
per capita consumption of liquor is also highest in the
state. One can draw his own conclusions regarding the
validity of this survey in India. The society does look with contempt on couples where the wife is taller than the husband, but then is our society really an epitome of virtues? Society in reality is what we make of it and such couples will increasingly find acceptance as we come across more of them in the future. It is sacrilege to term short stature as a handicap. The author has listed a few names but he has left out many more who have left an imprint on the sands of time. For example, Lord Buddha was no six footer and neither was Mahatma Gandhi. In fact the author is seemingly not aware of the fact that average height of an Indian male is 5’-5", which he considers short. To sum it up, one can say that it is not worthwhile comparing people on the basis of their physical attributes. The resources used in conducting the study could have been put to better use as it does not prove anything in reality. Another study with a different sample may give totally opposite results. It is not the size but the attitude which makes a difference in human personality. And yes, success is certainly not attracted to the height of the person. Towering personalities are not always tall people. RAJ K
MACHHAN Power of patience This refers to "Power of patience" by Taru Bahl (March 5). The lesson learnt from nature is that faith and patience are the cornerstones of all endeavours. We take short cuts, expect miracles and instant solutions. This is a wrong attitude of the modern man. We want to become rich overnight. We have lost faith in time-tested values. Rome was not built in a day. It was the product of long years of patience and continuous toil and labour of countless men. The achievement of freedom by Indians is another case in point. At one time it was said that the sun never set on the British empire, but more than 200 years of incessant struggle and sacrifices, of blood, toil and tears could accomplish that. Patience and perseverance are great virtues. Buffon goes even to the extent of calling patience, genius. He says "Never think that God’s delays are God’s denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out" Power resides in patient labour. With time and patience, the mulberry leaf become silk. The seed does not at once sprout into a full fledged tree. The lives of great men also remind us of the fact that only sustained labour, persevering mind and steady pace are capable of attaining greatness. Great men work and wait. To exercise patience and learn the art of waiting are the secrets of success. A poet has aptly put it: "The heights great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. VIJAY SHEEL
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