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Digging a grave
Seabed mining — described in “Deep-sea gold
rush” by Vibha Sharma (Perspective, July 15) — may appear justified for the gains now, but ultimately it will push our cherished habitat into hot waters. Rival countries securing mining rights may increase regional tensions. Environmentally too, such a blind gold rush may prove fatal. The activity will pollute sea waters and affect marine biodiversity. Is mining the Polar Regions next on the agenda for mankind? Mother Earth has enough for our needs, if only we could rein in the “use and throw” culture.
M.P.S. Chandrawat, Baru Sahib (HP)
Space for India
Apropos ‘The true Miss Universe’ by Raj Chengappa (Ground
Zero, July 15), it is ironic and unfortunate that on one hand “Bharat ki betis” Sunita and Kalpana were selected for the daunting space travel, making India proud, and on the other hand, close to Delhi, women are being asked not to move out, and sit at home in a cocoon, instead of being equipped to fight the wolves. Their worthy elders should find other ways to deal with the Romeos.
Kapalmit Singh, Chandigarh
II Sunita and Kalpana indeed belong to the whole world, and the feelings they have expressed regarding being in space are in line with the concept of “vasudheva kutumbakum” (the whole world is a family) propounded in “Panchatantra”. B.M. Singh, Amritsar |
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III Sunita and Kalpana can serve as role models for the campaign against female foeticide. As Thomas Gray suggests in ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ that humble villagers too could be as great as Hampden or Milton if they had a chance to develop, girls being killed in wombs are potential Sunitas and Kalpanas, given the chance. I.J. Bharti, Karnal Ink from roots ‘Return of a writer’ (Profile, July 8) reiterates basic truths of an individual’s life. There is a strange quirk of fate that shapes one’s ends. Despite making earnest efforts, one sometimes fails to realise cherished dreams. Every renowned author is a rooted man, and what he writes comes from his contact with the soil. Timeri Murari was not cut out to be an engineer; he was destined for a literary career. Had the hidden power not guided him, he would have ended up unsettled and unknown after dabbling in different professions abroad. It was his chance meeting with R.K. Narayan that did the trick. D.S. Kang, Bahadurpur (Hoshiarpur) Avoidable tragedies
What is stated in Kuldip Nayar’s book “Beyond the Lines: An Autobiography”
(“The Turmoil in Punjab”, Spectrum, July 8), is widely known. But why Indira Gandhi, after having accepted the Anandpur Sahib Resolution and the distribution of waters, changed her mind — that too after giving her consent to Swaran Singh — will perhaps never be known. Many tragedies would have been avoided if she had not changed her mind.
Pritam Bhullar, Chandigarh
Science for the poor
“Time to work for lead position in science and
tech” by K.V. Prasad (On Record, July 15) stresses the need for scientific research. Our present focus on missile technology has no impact on the common man’s life. The fields of education, agriculture and medicine are neglected, which otherwise could provide relief to the poor. Many are undernourished, and food, shelter and safe drinking water are beyond their reach. Research could provide affordable alternatives.
S.C. Vaid, Greater Noida
Taking a toll
I also travelled from Jagadhri to Jalandhar this month, and my experience was ditto of Kishwar Desai’s
(“On the highway to nowhere”, Fifty Fifty, July 8). In heavy rain, it was terrible travelling on the highway. The plight of the common Indian is like that of a village road, which is far worse than the GT Road mentioned in the article. Yet, we may not despair, for the essence of being part of our system is travelling on these kinds of roads even after paying toll tax!
Dr M.K. Sehgal, Yamunanagar
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