L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Begin at home

“Wearing khadi, living polyester” by Ira Pande (Touchstone, May 20) hit the nail on the head in comparing our self-cocooned representatives with their counterparts in mature democracies. She is equally and rightly unsparing of the Indian society too. It will require a massive effort to bring about the desired changes in our society, but a beginning can be made at the family level. As they say, evry long journey begins with a single step.

Parmendar Pawar, Sirsa

II

“Wearing khadi, living polyester” shows how we never got freedom in 1947. It was just a transfer of power from the British to Indians who were not very different. Gandhiji’s dream of rebuilding the nation through empowerment and of villages was razed to pave the way for metro culture, which only resulted in the mushrooming of shameful slums. The only way is to go back to the roots and develop the villages.

A.K. Sharma, Chandigarh

Tree lover Batalvi

“Tree Lovers’ Eulogy” in Khushwant Singh’s column (May 20) may have been ‘contributed by B.S. Saini’ — as mentioned at the bottom — but it is written by legendary poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi.

Bhag Singh Aulakh, Chandigarh

II

“Tree Lovers’ Eulogy” should act as a reminder to all of us who are forgetting our responsibility towards trees. We breathe oxygen because of them, and use every part of a tree from roots to seeds. Unfortunately, we show concern for stray dogs and other animals, but have little sympathy for plants. Lakhs of diseased and dying plants along roads and elsewhere can be saved if we wish to.

Dr Kapalmit Singh, Chandigarh

Clean up

Apropos “Punjab’s poisoned water” by Prabhjot Singh (Perspective, May 20), polluted water is a leading threat to life expectancy, and requires a clear vision on the part of the government. Long term consequences of the situation would be devastating. “Prevention is better than cure” is more than an idiom in this case.

Hardesh Davesar, Amritsar

II

The meticulously researched article was shocking. The Central and state governments should give top priority to providing safe and clean drinking water. NRIs, NGOs and big business houses too should come forward to assist the government in installing reverse osmosis filtration systems in the affected districts. Expert guidance should be sought on all of this. Above all, effective steps are needed to check pollution caused by industries as well as agriculture.

Dr Arun Kumar Sharma, Mohali

III

The Punjab Pollution Control Board has not been able to effectively check industrial units discharging effluents into rivers. Open drains carrying toxic waste can be seen throughout rural Punjab. Farms irrigated with polluted water will only produce poisoned food. Clean drinking water is not available even in cities like Chandigarh, what to talk of rural areas. Reverse osmosis filtration plants are expensive to install for all of the state’s population, but that is an expense that will have to be arranged.

R.K. Kapoor, Chandigarh

IV

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be used to build or restore water harvesting structures that may use clean rainwater without letting it be contaminated. People also need to be educated on saving water and avoiding wasteful use. We have to differentiate between drinking water and that meant for general household use.

Dr S.K. Aggarwal, Amritsar

Zohra forever

Apropos “100 years of plenitude” (Spectrum May 20) by Rakshanda Jalil, I salute Zohra Apa, a true legend, born artiste and an energetic fighter who overcame all hardships of life from the Partition to loss of her husband, a known painter, actor and dancer. It is her enthusiasm and determination that got her stardom.

Sameer Pruthi, Sirsa