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

Protector turns hunter

This has reference to “Nightmare homes” (Perspective, July 29). When an object is on fire, water is used to extinguish it. However, if water itself catches fire, it then becomes difficult to douse it. When caretakers in shelters for the destitute start preying on the inmates, it reflects extreme degradation of human values. To prevent such occurrences, the system has to be made foolproof. No male should be employed at homes for women and children. The media too should be more vigilant regarding such shelters. Local old women should be engaged in such activities.

Anup Kumar Gakkhar, Haridwar

II

The horrendous chain of events at Gurgaon and Rohtak homes for children underlines two things. One, it goes without saying that social laws are given effect to in a cosmetic manner. Two, the corrupt, insensitive and callous system is the pampered baby of the politician- bureaucrat-police-businessman/criminal nexus. It does not spare even the weakest of the weak. The million-dollar question is who will bell the cat? The people at large and civil society are the only hope.

Dr Prem Singh Dahiya, Rohtak

A beginning

Apropos Raj Chengappa’s ‘Ground Zero: The Lady in the Labyrinth’ (July 29), no doubt Aung San Suu Kyi is walking a tightrope in her fight against the coterie of army generals in Myanmar, yet she is the guiding spirit across the world to those leaders who are fighting for democracy. In most military-ruled societies, ethnic and politico-religious discrimination have turned any transition turbulent and often very violent. If Suu Kyi’s movement has been suppressed, it should not discourage her followers, since the journey towards true freedom has just begun. The democratic world hopes to welcome a truly free Myanmar in its fold at the earliest.

Ved Guliani, Hisar

II

‘Birthday for Mandela...’ and ‘Lady in the Labyrinth’ (July 22 and July 29) were excellent pen portraits of great souls who have languished in jails for decades to liberate their respective countries from bondage, exploitation and poverty. India too has had heroes such as Udham Singh, Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose who made the supreme sacrifice to free their country. Alas, they never lived to see the dawn of freedom. As Independence Day approaches near, let us pay homage to all those who enabled us to live Tagore’s dream: “Where the mind is without fear/ And the head is held high”.

Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, email

III

A shudder ran through me when you likened Suu Kyi with Indira Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto while calling her a daughter of destiny. The two died a violent death. Suu Kyi has a Gandhi, Dalai Lama and Mandela-like equanimity, and I am sure she’ll lead her country to a vibrant new future.

Ram Varma, email

Contempt for humanity

“When friends turn killers” by Swati Rai (Spectrum, July 29) reminded me of a boy, Aadil of New Delhi, who was murdered by his best friends for owning a top-class BMW, a Blackberry and three credit cards! Name, fame, money, gadgets and gizmos have today overtaken the youthful spirit. The difference between the haves and the have-nots has grown tremendously, and we live in an era where everything that you do and have is judged. It is time we took stock of the growing trend, because crime has a “friendly” face now.

Swaranjli Sehgal, Yamunanagar

No puzzle here

Khushwant Singh is way off the mark when he describes crossword puzzles as a waste of time (This Above All, July 29). Nothing can be farther from truth. Multiple research studies have established that puzzles such as crossword, jumble or sudoku are excellent mental exercises which keep the brain cells active even in old age and are also helpful in preventing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. That Khushwant Singh is able to write regular columns even at 98 is proof.

Parmendar Pawar, Sirsa

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