Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has fled to London with a hope that she could breathe “free” air there. The treatment meted out to her in India is appalling and inexcusable.
She could not be given a safe shelter in Kolkata as she desired. But, she was rendered to serious health complications like cardiac ailment and retinopathy for which no proper medical attendance was paid and human rights grossly infringed. Then, she was put to extreme stress, thanks to her lonely confinement in a secret place for a prolonged period. Her vision is slowly getting impaired for lack of proper treatment on time.
The government apprehended reactions from a section of Islamic fundamentalists in sheltering a revolutionary writer, outspoken in espousing the cause of Muslim women all over the world. What is sickening and excruciating is that no women organisation or human rights activist came forward boldly to defend the hapless writer.
Mehr Unnisa Rahmani
Chennai
Purchase of warship
Sir,
The warship bought from the US has so many drawbacks in its usage and conditions attached to it. If newspaper reports are to be believed, the ship cannot be used in warfare and it can be inspected at any time by the US. We have reportedly paid approximately Rs 202 crore for the ship which was about to be scrapped. Being a sovereign independent nation why should we be subjected to restrictions ?
M S Khaleel
Bangalore
Hospitals
Sir,
The hospitals allotted under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to provide medical facilities for central government employees have been mostly concentrated in Bangalore South. Employees who are residing in other parts of Bangalore are not benefitting from this facility. The central health ministry may kindly intervene and consider the request of employees for their emergent medical attention, in empanelling hospitals into zonal, such as north, south, east and west.
Joshua Norton
Bangalore
No common sense
Sir,
With reference to the rejoinder issued by the public relations officer of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMMP) to your editorial on Capital Value System (CVS), nothing prevents the legislature from reconsidering and modifying a law if it is bad in principle. Ours is a democratic country but our bureaucrats thrive on secrecy and lack of transparency. The basic question remains: how can sanitation and roads, which are the primary activities of BBMP, be related to property values? it is neither scientific nor based on common sense.
M N Subba Rao
Bangalore
Postpone CVS
Sir,
Your editorial, Defer CVS (DH, Mar 18 ) has rightly analysed the implications in enforcing the CVS in haste. While the intention of BBMP to mobilise funds for infrastructure projects is welcome, the scheme should take all aspects into consideration since the burden on taxpayers shoots up several times. As you have rightly pointed out the senior citizens and lower middle class people will find it very difficult to pay the higher tax rate. In the interest of all concerned it is advisable to postpone the implementation till a new government takes over.
Shankara Swamy
Bangalore
Versatile actor
Sir,
Southern film industry has lost one of the most sought after actors with the death of versatile actor Raghuvaran. In a career spanning about 26 years, he acted in about 100 films in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi. Raghuvaran made a great impact on the screen with his superb stylish acting and a very versatile voice moduling. Film buffs would always remember Raghuvaran who has left behind great mark by his memorable roles.
Taslima: Case of a hapless writer
