Miles to go before we sleep!
Sir, This refers to the editorial Promises to keep (DH, Aug 15). India has completed 60 years of Independence despite various complex problems. Yet, India has shown considerable progress in various sectors and proved that it is no more a poor country.
What is to be appreciated is that it has nursed and nourished the growth of science and technology and has implanted in the hearts of various countries in the world that it is not a weak country. You have correctly pointed out that India's economy is robust and freedom should mean more economic empowerment.
It is true that despite progress in various sectors, India's Dalits still await freedom from discrimination and many people have no access to safe drinking water, health care and sanitation. Central and state Governments should address these problems and redress their grievances.
S NAGARAJAN
Bangalore
Child begging
Sir, This refers to the news report on the use of children between the age of 3 to 7 years for begging.
There is a steep rise in beggary and children are made cheap targets for begging. Many long distant trains are full with eunuchs and child beggars who go on harassing people for alms with their pathetic faces.
If people choose to stop giving beggars alms they will learn to survive on their own. Through out the country, beggary has become the best trade for easy income and children are made easy targets. The government must look into curbing this menace. and also rehabilitate them.
Peter D’Souza
Mumbai
Whither democracy?
Sir, The attack on the Outlook magazine office in Mumbai by Shiv Sena activists is deplorable and deserves condemnation. The one aspect bothering most in this 60th year of freedom is violent attacks on freedom of expression and creative art.
The recent attacks on Bangla author Taslima Nasreen in Hyderabad and the way the state police handled the case, could easily strengthen obscurantist forces like the Shiv Sena and embolden them to attack all and sundry in the name of protest. Whither democracy ?
Divakar N
Mysore
United families
Sir, Regarding the article United families of India (DH, Living Aug 14). I don’t find any great benefit from this north Indian – south Indian marriage, inter-caste marriage or inter- religious marriage for our country. It is worth noting that these united families of India live an isolated life; most of them speak English as they can not actively mingle with their community because of language barriers.
We need to preserve our culture, tradition and language, as it has many more merits than demerits. We need to ensure against discrimination among ourselves as low castes and high castes and eliminate certain oppressive customs and traditions.
S M Nanjappa
Bangalore
Sex education
Sir, The article Not just sex education (DH, Aug 14) by Kamala Balachandran is an excellent and a timely one. The writer has raised some pertinent issues. We cannot sideline other equally important and urgent issues to be taught to our young boys and girls along with sex education.
Unless we make our young generation aware of all our social problems at a tender age, we will be committing a big blunder.
Dr B G Gnanadev
Molakalmuru
Spineless indeed!
Sir, It was shameful to see Rahul and team celebrating their 1-0 series win against a pitiable English side, when they actually should have had it 2-0. Today’s sports is not just about winning, but to win convincingly. Indians have proved yet again that inspite of individual milestones our players successfully seek, when it comes to the team’s glory, they are indeed spineless.
B N Satyesh
Bangalore
