Thank God, we were fortunate to have a very moderate monsoon this year, saving these low lying areas from total chaos and misery. With the lethargic pace of work of underground drainage, sewerage and the NH 17 from Nanthoor to Surathkal, it would have been a disaster if it were to rain continuously in June/ July like earlier years. Thanks to the unprecedented increase in population in the last few years, there is a dwelling in every inch of space available in these residential areas, without the basic much needed infrastructure.
All the areas mentioned above are low lying, which had natural culverts and storm water drains to facilitate the natural gravity flow of rain water into the Gurupur or Netravathi river. But today, thanks to the totally haphazard and unplanned development of these areas, all these culverts and drains are blocked by garbage, plastic and earthwork of the builders. Naturally, when it rains continuously for even a day, there will be artificial flooding in these areas. MCC has been mute to the sufferings of the people because, they are responsible for this chaotic development. Year after year in spite of the hue and cry of the public, MCC wakes up only after monsoon commences to clear these culverts, drains which is only a ritual to satisfy the public.
At present KUDCEMP is undertaking the infrastructure development work of Mangalore,they must consider these problem areas and, build proper storm water drains and culverts, and clear the existing drains. With excellent engineering colleges in our district including the reputed NITK, their expertise and service must be availed in designing and constructing these drains to find a permanent solution to this problem. Even the corporators must take responsibility to create an awareness in the citizens of their wards to have the civic sense regarding disposal of their garbage/ plastic which normally chokes these drains. Our Corporation must adopt a slogan ‘Prevention is better than cure’ regarding these re-occuring problems, and take necessary action in time. But, will they?
B N R Rao,
Vivek Nagar, Kulur


Slicing our  city roads
Quite often City roads are dug up to install cables by the private telecom companies damaging them horribly. They don’t even fill up the trenches properly after work is done. As a result, our gutters and drains are filled with mud creating artificial floods everywhere. This was the reason for the flood in Kottara Chowki and other low lying areas last week when there were torrential rains.  When will the MCC/ District administration look into this problem and settle the issue which is recurring year after year? What have corporators done on the matter?
 The on-going fourlaning work gives another hell of a time to the commuters as the road is dug up everywhere.
Interestingly, there is a ban on digging the roads during rainy season. However, we can see such work being done in Kankanady bypass, in Attavar and other places, mainly by the telecom companies. Whether they have obtained permission for this from MCC is unknown.
An inspection and verification on this matter should be done by MCC and the responsible people should be published if found guilty.

J F D’Souza,
Attavar, Mangalore.

Matter of shame

The photograph of an old man of Vittla , supposed to be eating cow dung, published in DH (19th July) should make everyone to put his head down in shame. People around him should not have watched him eating cow dung, but prevented him from doing so. It was clear from his act, that he was feeling very hungry, and therefore they should have provided him some food.
It should not have been photographed and published, because such acts are not to be copied, enjoyed or admired. People around him surely missed a chance to be good samaritans.
Sukumar Talpady,
Kottara, Mangalore.
Is Kudla in harmony with ‘Mangaluru’?
In recent years, the exercise of renaming cities across the county has followed a set course.
The main aim seems to revert to the root historic label.
The general thumb rule has been accepted largely. ‘Bengaluru, Vijapura, Kalburgi, Kapu, Chikamagaluru’ and so on fits the bill alright.
But ‘Mangaluru’ needs a closer look; just Kannadisation or application of ‘Kanglish’ may not be wholesome. There is no evidence that local leaders and forums have publicly discussed this sensitive issue.
The ancient historical name of Tuluva origins is ‘Kudla’. Even today the speakers of Tulu call it lovingly as ‘Kudla’.
The Konkani speakers, who for centuries have adopted ‘Tulunadu’ as home and have mutually integrated into Kudla-mosaic, always call it ‘Kodial’. Early British nomenclature documents it ‘Codial Bunder’.
It is perhaps necessary to sufficiently examine the case for ‘Mangaluru’.
Every proud citizen/ City Association/ Body, leader, scholar and any one concerned, must debate and voice their genuine weighed opinion.
The government and authorities need to fairly evaluate the facts.
 If all concerned opine to ignore ‘Kudla’ and pay a special conscious tribute to Goddess Mangaladevi, it could stand to good reason. Keeping the label ‘Kudla’ will occupy the imagination of Mangaloreans for sure. Bolar/ Old cantonment ward could officially be called Kudla for posterity. Citizens and all responsible, speak/ act now, or hold your peace forever!
I J S Shet,
Morgan’s Gate

Readers may send their letters to The Editor, Deccan Herald, Yenepoya Chambers, 2nd floor, Balmatta, Mangalore or e-mail to dhmangalore@deccanherald.co.in.