It’s a no-brainer: to say you need regular and warm interaction between parents and children is like saying you need air and water (Who Let the Kids Out, Jun 23). The mom and pop should always be there as a friend for the child, crucially so during his/her teenages. Anything that keeps alive two-way communication and keeps the generations from becoming strangers to each other. Isn’t it odd that we, the highest apes, need reminding about all this?
S. Lakshmi, on e-mail
I don’t believe in this idea of parents doubling up as friends. Children have their own peer groups: at school, the neighbourhood, such like. Parents need to be parents: guiding the kids, then leaving them alone to fashion their own responses.
Hemant Kapre, on e-mail
If today’s children are spoilt and rudderless, it’s because of their self-centred parents who are all the time busy chasing their professional aspirations. Working men and women, guiltily aware that their interaction with the kids is inadequate, try to compensate by giving them too much freedom. Result: children think personal liberty comes with no strings attached. And by the time parents realise its harmful effects, it would have been too late.
Chidanand Kumar, Bangalore
Yours was a must-read piece for all parents of teens or pre-teens. In societies in rapid transition, too rapid even for us, it’s imperative that we spend enough time with our children.
Hemant Kapre, on e-mail
Loading children with money and expensive gifts is no substitute for good parenting.
Col R.D. Singh, Leh
It’s simple: when parents don’t spend enough time with the kids, there is a big chance of their taking to bad habits. It’s sad—and ironical—that people who aim high in life only work for their boss in office and not for the children back home.
Dharmendra Bhinchar, Sikar
From ‘double income no kids’, it has come to ‘double income no parenting’ today. Cash-rich but poor by way of culturation, kids don’t know values. Most of them have cellphones and access to the internet at home. But the training to make good use of them is woefully absent.
Meenakshi aman, Secunderabad
Most parents today expect schools to take up the responsibility of the child’s character development. This is gross abdication: teaching is now no vocation, it’s merely a profession. And we’ve left gurukuls long behind us. It’s all up to parents.
P. Prasand Thampy, Thiruvalla, Kerala
I was raised in India during the ’80s and ’90s, we did have kids who took liquor. But then few among us used to be immoral, we never cheated our parents. That sense of morality stays in my family—in the US. My kids lead an affluent life but they don’t get pocket money: we are keen they learn the value of money. They have to do house chores, score well in schools.
R.V., Minneapolis
If Indian kids drink alcohol, don’t blame it on the West. In the UK, where I live, liquor is a strict no-no at a class X party. And, at night clubs, bouncers would keep a strict check on under-18 children.
A.B. Upadhyay, Bath, UK
I don’t think Dr Geeta Shroff of Delhi can describe her therapy as ‘stem cell’, and thereby claim it to be any form of regular treatment (Life is a Laboratory, Jun 23). Her claim that it’s not a clinical trial holds no water. It’s much like the fish therapy that is said to cure asthma patients who assemble annually in Hyderabad—it just lacks research backing: clinical or pre-clinical.
Dr S. Farid, on e-mail
I was impressed with the way a clinic in Delhi puts stem cell therapy to actual use, and the balanced way you reported it. Since Dr Geeta Shroff has now applied for patents, I’m keen to see she wins it. I feel we mustn’t disparage it by calling it ‘miracle’ treatment, I’ve read about similar techniques being used in China as well. In fact, videos from there seem to prove patients have recovered cent per cent in most cases. If the West cries foul in the face of such concrete proof, let them. It’s too much bureaucracy (self-imposed) that’s stopping them from translating research into practice. We’ve for long been hearing about their research on water-powered vehicles. But it’s Japan that lately test-drove such a car.
R. Loganathan, Harrow, UK
You have made the story all the more controversial by carrying a photo of one of the patients—even as Dr Shroff’s Nutech Mediworld says it is abiding by all ethical considerations. Lately, a Mumbai hospital got into trouble for precisely the same reason.
Dr A. Praveen, on e-mail
The attack on the residence of a leading Marathi daily’s editor may have been carried out by a lesser-known outfit, but the event can’t be seen in isolation (Mob on the Job, Jun 23). The Shiv Sangram Sangathan vandalising the house of Loksatta editor Kumar Ketkar is just another instance of how traders of identity politics keep bullying opinion-makers in Maharashtra. Their agenda is to divert the common man’s attention from issues related to human rights. Ketkar’s only ‘sin’ was that he questioned the wisdom of a government plan to build an expensive monument for Shivaji when it should have been working for the uplift of the poor in the state. Ironically, opponents of people like Ketkar have chosen an inspiring figure like Shivaji to effectively bring a bad name to the state. The attack on Pune’s Bhandarkar institute, on activist Teesta Setalvad over a school handbook she prepared—instances of the kind abound.
Farzana Z. Khan, Pune
Prem Shankar Jha is right when he says India can’t afford to ignore Syria anymore (Road to Dimashq, Jun 23). Every relation has its ups and downs, it’s only good that we’ve now acknowledged the crucial role that Damascus plays in ensuring peace in West Asia. No wonder most press reports mentioned President Basher al-Assad’s Delhi visit as a positive development in our foreign policy.
Khushi Ram, Ambala Cantt
I befriended some Syrian Arab migrants while I was in Dubai, and found them—like some Egyptians and Iraqis—the best among all the Arabs. Their Islam looked like very liberal, they hold a lot of respect for India. And what’s more, they are ardent fans of Bollywood films.
Vijay Agarwal, Northampton
It’s appalling to note how tough life is for girls as young as 15-18, employed in the garment manufacturing units in Tirupur (Wound on a Spindle, Jun 23). In several cases, girls below 15 are also put to work. Grinding poverty is what leads to monstrosities like the ‘camp coolie’ system. Employers anyway know such practices don’t attract punishment—despite clauses under the Child Labour Act. At least British clothing major Primark took note of the rampant use of child labour and scrapped its contract with three Tirupur units.
S. Bakthavathsalan, Chennai
I am surprised that the print media alone has brought out such an important report in a big way. Most of our television channels seem busy beaming trivia about the private lives of our star cricketers.
Arun Prakash, Doha
Wow! The picture says it all—a naked, emaciated child, a cracked mud house with a fading hammer and sickle (Red Rag Adrift, Jun 23). But the CPI(M) won’t fade away because people are still living in Somalia-like conditions in Bengal. The day its citizens find a viable alternative they can align themselves with, the state will cease being under CPI(M) control. Sadly, there are none as of now. Worse, there won’t be any in the future.
Raj G., Chicago
I’m happy the people of West Bengal have replied to Communist terror with the ballot paper in recent panchayat polls. For the first time in three decades, the Left has been dealt a blow in rural Bengal. It’s evident that people haven’t accepted Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s industrialisation that’s based on acquisition of farmland. And, it’s time the CPI(M) reviewed its industrial policy.
Manoj Parashar, Noida
For all the reforms we’ve had, social conditions in our country call for a revolution of sorts to allow girls basic freedoms in issues like marriage where the social tends to outweigh the personal (The Runaway Bride, Jun 23). Asu Kanwar’s feat is stupendous, considering her background. And the psychological hold the father tends to have over the family as a figure of authority in India.
Parthasarathy, Chennai
It is unfortunate that your film critic takes her job so seriously (Movie Review, Jun 23). Sarkar Raj is an absolutely absorbing movie with outstanding performances by lead actors. Luckily, moviegoers care little for the opinion carried in your column.
Rama, on e-mail
You can’t ignore the ring most of the dialogues have to them. But then, English journalists typically neither speak nor understand classic Hindi.
Vishwanath Rao, Bangalore
You may grade it ‘watchable’, but I’d use another word to sum up Sarkar Raj: tedious. The film is a crashing bore since the director forgot that one important dictum of a good drama—‘Show, don’t tell’. Watch it at your own risk. Where performances go, ‘been there, done that’ sums up AB senior’s scenes in the film. The surprise is that Aishwarya Rai puts in a sincere, competent performance, finally succeeding in freeing herself of her Miss India mannerisms. Again, AB junior proves one thing. Which is that the hazaar ceeteez that greeted his entry did not come because the guy is any good as an actor but because folks who grew up being his father’s fans are fiercely and desperately willing his success, so that the Bachchan heir can continue where the old warhorse left off (did he?)
Richa Kapoor, Woodbury, US
A prominent distributor friend of mine appeared sure that the film would rake in the moolah. As for critiques, they are more like opinion polls—high on reaction, low on fact.
Ashok Anand, Bangalore
Mankind must salute the people of Nepal for throwing off the yoke of antiquated monarchy that violated all norms of human rights for over 240 years (Long Lived the King, Jun 23). This is anathema in a liberal, globalised 21st century. Royalty across the world, including in England, should learn from this example.
K.P. Rajan, Mumbai
Once King Farouk of Egypt, then in exile, said the only monarchs who would be left in the world would be the kings and queens in the pack of cards and the monarch of England. Ex-king Gyanendra shouldn’t worry much about losing his kingdom, for he is not the only king to have been dealt such a hand. At least he should be glad the Communists didn’t treat his family the way they treated Czar Nicholas II and co.
T. Sathyamurthi, Folsom, US
If a really national party in a democracy loses ten state elections, its rank and file will ask for a change in the top brass—but not the Congress (Delhi Diary, Jun 23). Inner-party democracy is mandatory in the Indian system, and dynastic tendencies in regional parties have to be curbed.
V. Seshadri, Chennai
So Vinod Mehta has finally realised what the rest of India had found out long ago. The Congress didn’t expect to win the 2004 Lok Sabha polls; we got a lot of false piety, and hubris set in soon after. We have silly people like Arjun Singh and A. Ramadoss who are allowed to be important players. To top it all, we have a sycophantic PM who can’t take an individual decision.
Dinesh Kumar, Chandigarh
How VM calls the Congress caring is simply beyond comprehension. It’s the Congress that ruled the country for much of the post-Independence years—the culture of corruption is very much its legacy. Also, it’s the party that initiated the politics of patronage, and tradeable franchise.
Avantika Pathak, by e-mail
Point is, Sonia doesn’t understand Indians. She may try to mimic her late mother-in-law, but she can’t speak fluent Hindi, for example. Given this, what she has achieved till now is commendable. Her one ambition now is to anoint her son as PM, an unlikely possibility seeing his immaturity.
Ramesh Raghuvanshi, Pune
I agree with Mr Mehta. Sonia needs to have an independent channel to weigh the options her advisors give her. She has failed to identify and create talent in the aicc, which needs to give room for energetic MPs in touch with ground realities.
Vinod D’Souza, Mumbai
It’s blind Congress supporters like VM who should be blamed for the crisis the party faces. Yet, strangely, you say, "What’s wrong with the party?"
Pravin Desai, Umarsadi, Gujarat
Mr Mehta, I am a great fan of yours. But, whenever I discuss politics with my friends and talk about the ‘communal bjp’ and the ‘secular Congress’, they bring up the 1984 riots and the Congress’s role in it. Any words of wisdom to win these Johnnie Walker battles?
Suneet Jain, Memphis, US
Sonia is a leader by accident. She has no political background, she isn’t media-savvy, nor does she have any experience in governance. It’s time we speak the unspeakable—the emperor has no clothes.
Sunil Sithikatt, Ponnani, Kerala
Mr Mehta’s valuable strategic tips to Sonia makes him eligible for the post of her political advisor—and subsequently for a Rajya Sabha nomination from her party.
P.K. Srivastava, on e-mail
It was a great surprise to find that VM still connects to Sir Neville Cardus. Cardus should be taken whole, or not at all. Cardus would never have found T20 vulgar; he would have enjoyed every inch of it. His full-blooded prose would have done it justice. It’s a pity that not a single writer today can generate excitement to the extent Cardus would certainly have. I hope CM, with his Debonair background, tries his hand at it.
Sanjay Ranade, Pune
Some people just can’t stand others enjoying something. Mr Mehta considers T20 vulgar, blinded to the fact that millions did enjoy the ipl. I think he’s getting too old.
Ashok Sahdev, Delhi
The smart TV reporter set up Mr Vinod Mehta nicely (Delhi Diary, Jun 23)! VM narrates the entire episode like a seasoned comedian. But the incident reminds me of how Outlook’s own letters editor would every time mercilessly cut our long, wisdom-filled compositions into two or, worse, one-and-a-half sentences. At least, Mr Mehta has one of India’s most widely read magazines at his command to air his grievances. But what about poor readers like us who smart under the editor’s cut?
Irfan Iqbal Gheta, Bangalore
I laughed out loud after reading Mr Mehta’s experience at the hands of the TV reporter. I think it serves him right because VM’s magazine does the same to our letters.
Jatinder Sethi, Gurgaon
