The article, The Rape of Justice (August 7), highlighted the horrendous attitude of some sections of our society towards women who they believe have violated social norms of their community. Even in the 50th year of Independence, women have to struggle to safeguard their dignity. Women have come a long way since the time they were forced into sati to flying an airplane. But the reality is that many women are subjected to gruesome atrocities by their male counterparts. In a democracy, isn’t it the responsibility of the government to safeguard the dignity of all women, instead of leaving it to the biradari heads who formulate their own codes for women?
Nivedita Gowda, Thane
Though the world knows India as the largest democracy, it is more or less a case of the survival of the fittest here. Ours is a nation where women are worshiped as ‘Devis or Mother Goddesses. What happened at Lahbouli, Haridwar, shows that we are light years away from ‘civili-sed society’. India needs many Rammohun Roys.
The story of Phoolan Devi is shocking, but if such incidents happen and justice is either delayed or denied, many more Phoolans will be in the making. The Supreme Court has done good work, which our political bosses failed to do. When other nations can punish rapists by sentencing them to death by stoning, why can’t we? Perhaps now, the judiciary is the only ray of hope for all such victims.
Amar Inder Singh, Patiala
"Facts are sacred; comments free". This must be the basic principle in your report on Sri Lanka—On the Bloodpath Again (August 7). It was not the ambush of the Sinhalese soldiers on July 23, 1983 which "sparked off a festering ethnic war". The rape of two Tamil students by Sinhalese soldiers and the subsequent suicide by the girls led to the ambush the next day. This is a matter of humanity and not of politics.
S. Gandhimathi, Madras
In the article on nuclear submarines, Sinking or Swimming (August 7), you have made a reference to Admiral Rickover. I want to point out that his name is not Edmund Rickover but Hyman George Rickover. Please be more careful of such details in future.
Sanjay Choudhary, Calcutta
Kudos to your correspondent for the interview with Lakhubhai Pathak, who has rightly said that "anything can happen in India, we can buy ministers like we buy vegetables" in his interview, New Man, New Focus (August 7). The interview is an eye opener for NRIs that they cannot trust even the Prime Minister of India who comes bearing promises like a father at the wedding of his daughter without dowry and changes his stand afterwards making a fool of everyone.
If such thing happen in the US, the President would be questioned in front of the media and public. But it is sad to know that what Pathak said was true.
Bhojani, New York
With reference to No more Delhi-Dallying (August 7), the writer valiantly strives to demolish every ‘myth’ about Delhi by drawing on her arsenal of ‘educated, cultured’ people to lay claim to the city’s changing status from a babudom-afflicted village to a ‘with-it’ place, in fact better than Bombay.
But lets not forget that a handful of people do not a culture make. The average Delhiite is a philistine—flashy and loud having little sophistication and taste. If Delhi is fast emerging as a commercial hub, it is more by default than design—not everyone can afford to be in Bombay. The story should have examined such aspects closely.
Priya Sahai, New Delhi
The article was unidirectional. The writer forgot to add myth No. 4—Delhi, City of Heinous Murders—for even if the Tandoor murder is a closed episode, recent crimes are unforgettable. Delhi is a fearful city of murders, rape and abduction.
P. Murlidharan, Gwalior
No End in Sight (August 7), is an apt headline for the ISRO spy story as the scientists are being persecuted again though the case has been investigated and closed as the allegation of espionage was ‘untrue and false’. Imagine the mental torture the scientists would be undergoing having once experienced the disgrace meted out to them. Can they ever regain their self confidence to face the world?
A.S. Raj, New Delhi
The cover story, Age of the Superbrats (August 28),shows that spoilt rich kids might be pampered by their parents and be the favourites of marketers; but the mere accumulation of expensive gadgets does not pay in the long run. When a majority of the children in our country hunger for even the basic needs, it is extremely indecent on the part of a handful of brats to go on a buying spree for worthless trinkets.
Such parents can instead donate some of their ill-gotten wealth to a charitable cause and salvage their guilty conscience to an extent.
Sathyendranath Kini, Tumkur, Karnataka
As a child psychologist, it is frightening to see first degree love i.e. hugs, kisses and affection, being substituted for that of a third rate one, i.e. toys, clothes and gadgets. What’s even worse is wondering what the present generation will want as adults, since they seem to ‘have it all’.
Saige Bendre, Madras
I noticed that you had not provided charity as an option in order to spend Rs 150. Did you overlook it or is it because parents of today do not see charity as an essential part of their child's life? Very sad indeed.
Premkumaar. B, Madras
Apropos The Art of Illusion (August 7), P. Chidambaram has tactfully added the UF spice to Manmohanomics in his debut budget. He tried to satisfy all factions with his limited resources. However, it is depressing that he has not given any incentive to investors. This has become an obstacle to the investment move which began a few years ago.
Debanjan Banerjee, Calcutta
Chidambaram’s maiden budget is a sugar-coated bitter pill. In his over enthusiasm, he has antagonised almost everybody. The reduction in custom duties and liberal import policies would make India the ideal market for TNCs to dump their junk which will hit Indian producers. He did not make an effort to shift the tax burden to the affluent sections, by which he could have mobilised additional resources to finance pro-poor projects.
S. Raghunatha Prabhu, Alappuzha