Sunday, December 29, 2002		Feedback

Society can’t abdicate responsibility

APROPOS of Arunima Sehgal’s ‘Society can’t abdicate responsibility’ (December 8). Rarely have we realised that we already have sufficient number of laws and rules. What we lack is a positive and determined approach and will to take an issue to its logical and judicious conclusion.

Why don’t we realise that it is not awarding death to a few criminals that will solve the problem? The real question is of eradicating even the urge for this brutal attack on the dignity and honour of a human being. It is to sensitise the whole society, particularly the male segment, about the trauma and agony a raped woman is made to go through. The culprit must be made to realise this mental torture and the sense of social shame, which he had forced his victim to bear.

Let us not shed crocodile tears of sympathy over the fate of a rape victim but take some healthy and positive steps to reform the system.

Ved Guliani, Hisar

The manner in which children are brought up is responsible for the corruption in society. The years that a child spends as a student in professional colleges changes his outlook and determines the kind of mindset he is destined to have. Increasing engineering and medical colleges do not ensure quality education. Nor do they provide the kind of environment needed for proper education. Such conditions lead to the emergence of a class of professionals who are no strangers to corruption.

C. S. Dhall, Kulu

Dilip Kumar

This refers to M. L. Dhawan’s article "Fruit seller who became tragedy king" (December 8). Indian cinema would not have been what it is without Dilip Kumar. More than 60 years ago an unassuming young son of a fruit merchant walked into the world of Hindi films not to look back but to become a point of reference and an example of excellence. Now even his biographers, critics and even rivals wonder if there will be another like him, who with every performance left a mark which age cannot wither.

Surjeet Mann, Sangrur

This refers to "It’s about power and humiliation" by Yogesh Snehi (December 8). Men have once again proved their indifference to the sufferings of women. It is ridiculous to say that women who wear modern dresses ‘invite’ rape. Rape is a horrific crime that leaves mental and physical scars on not only the victim but on the whole of womanhood. No law or penalty can stop this crime. It is only if men change their attitudes towards women that the rate of crimes against women will come down.

Sumit Sabharwal, Hoshiarpur

This feature was published on December 22, 2002