David Blunkett's White Paper on arranged marriages is not only devoid of logic, it also seriously undermines the twin pillars of British national culture-freedom and equality ("Tied in Knots", March 4). The disturbingly didactic tone of the White Paper has a striking similitude with the views aired by the members of our own extreme right. There should be a concerted effort on the part of all sane elements of British society to put an immediate stop to Blunkett's evil designs.

Subhajit Basu, on e-mail

A couple alone cannot pro-duce a stable structure because the laws of equilibrium prescribe that a three-sided system is more stable than one with two sides. Arranged marriages are intended to ensure this and that is why they have existed in this country since time immemorial.

C.K. Kochukoshy, Thiruvananthapuram

Surrender of Sense

When the editor of a major vernacular newspaper glorifies diksharthis, one realises that our spiritual and religious sentiments are going somewhat awry ("Soul Purpose", March 4). It is true that nowhere in the world does one find "such a spirit of sacrifice except in India" because in most civilised countries it is a crime to sacrifice children.

Manu Patel, on e-mail

Outside Influence

One wonders why V.S. Naipaul is being given the attention ordinarily reserved for an Indian citizen who has done the country proud, especially since he is neither ("Home and Away", March 4). He has nothing but scorn for this country. Whether he is right or not, one wonders why we are desperate to partake of his new-found glory of which we are not the benefactors. The Nobel Foundation may have found him worthy but save for the dozen that fumbled for his attention, not many Indians know he exists.

M.R. Navindutt, on e-mail

Blind Spot

It is preposterous to say that ayurveda can cure spondylosis and paralysis ("Man for All Cures", March 4). At best, it can improve the quality of a patient's life. Such sweeping statements tend to give false hopes to patients and it is unethical to promise what cannot be achieved. If there were a cure for degenerative arthritis, our prime minister-a proclaimed believer in ayurveda-would not have undergone surgery. It was a poorly researched article.

Dr M.S. Prasad, Chennai

Secure a Life

In the snippet on the safety in using seat belts, there should have been at least a mention of the danger of having children on the front seat-a practice banned in most developed countries ("Buckle Down but Sit Up", February 25).

Dattaprasad Mopkar, Navi Mumbai

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