Mail of the Week

PICTURE SPEAK

"Twin Hopes", October 17

"It is the challenges thrown up by cases like the Ahmed sisters that define the cutting edge of medical profession and strengthen one's belief in humanity."

B.N. Kriplani, Jaipur

Sisters Concern

It is heartening to know that all kind of help has been offered from all over the world to conjoined sisters Farah and Sabah ("Twin Hopes", October 17). However, I cannot resist thinking of the situation after the surgery. The successful completion of the historical medical procedure will only be the beginning of the process of restoring normal lives of the twins and this would require special treatment and financial resources. Given their crowded family and limited income, it will not be easy. I hope the aid and focus the twin sisters are receiving now remains when they start the normal course of life.

Subir Dey, Delhi

It is the hope of the world that medical science would help separate the conjoined twins so that they can live a normal life. Along with medical science, the prayers of millions are with them.

A. Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram

At a time when the general perception is that people are becoming selfish and materialistic, we find dedicated doctors like Yarlagadda Nayudamma who performs complicated separation surgeries for free. We find the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi rushing to fund the Rs 4 crore surgery for the Ahmed sisters. And Dr Benjamin Carson, despite his busy schedule, is preparing to perform this surgery, which will take nearly nine months.

Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai

The tale of conjoined twins is much hyped. It is indeed a touching article but I request the media to focus a little more on dedicated medical practitioners like Nayudamma-not to make them stars but just to raise their level of enthusiasm.

Shailendra Saxena, Bangalore

It is shameful that within India, the Ahmed sisters could neither find a surgeon to perform this surgery nor a good Samaritan who was ready to fund it.

Navneet Dhawan, Delhi

The article on Sabah and Farah brings forth the progress made in medical field, but the report on Golu's kidnapping ("Hostage to Anarchy", October 17) shows that we are still in infancy when it comes to basic security.

Archana Negi, on e-mail

Spare a Thought

Kudos to Amit Bannerjee for becoming the first single Indian to father a child ("Singular Achievement", October 17). But the child may face difficult situations when he is asked questions about his parentage. Did Bannerjee think about it?

Charu Shah, Surendranagar

Unmarried people who wish to have a child should consider adoption. This option, while steering clear of social, ethical and legal issues thrown up by the use of IVF and a surrogate mother, will also provide a home to a homeless child.

P. Madhok, Mumbai

Faulty Move

Extending the services of some officers in the name of fixing two-year tenures for certain posts is not justified by any rule, regulation and service ethic ("First Among Equals", October 17). No doubt continuity for a certain minimum period is important but this is not limited to just the selected posts. Also, the consequences of frustration in the service class as a result of this move will be detrimental.

B.H. Agarwal, Bhopal

Even though the decision to fix a minimum term for home and defence secretaries and for the chiefs of intelligence agencies is correct, it may not be practical. Every time a new government comes at the Centre, it would appoint its own favourites on these sensitive posts.

Madhu Agrawal, Delhi

The Union Cabinet's decision regarding the fixed tenure of a few secretaries neither conforms to the guidelines laid down by the Fifth Pay Commission nor are they justified. A known reformist of the bureaucratic system himself, the prime minister should reconsider the decision lest such actions lead to administrative deforms.

P.K. Srivastava, on e-mail

Break the Ice

There is some hope of making Siachen a demilitarised zone ("Damage Control", October 17). The world's highest battleground has taken a toll of hundreds of jawans and officers. Moreover, the harm done to the pristine Himalayan environment is incalculable. We will be doing a great service to our defence personnel as well as the environment if we come to an understanding with Pakistan on withdrawing troops from the most unfriendly war zone. Money is literally going down the drain in maintaining this high-altitude post.

D.B.N. Murthy, Bangalore

WHO CARES

The coach-captain fracas exposes the rot in Indian cricket administration ("Weighty Matters", October 17). The BCCI lacks not only the will but also the intention to act. Prem Divankar, Kanpur To rubbish the star system as a mere excuse is being less than honest. The star system does put pressure on administrators. Part of the problem is the media that sustains the star system and itself lacks the will to buck the trend. Prachi Bhargav, Hyderabad The BCCI looks like a weak body whom anyone can bend for his or her own benefits. Shrinand Javadekar, on e-mail

Nobody's Baby

The court's remarks make it clear that the kidnapping industry has flourished under the police in Bihar and that heavyweights in the government are chief patrons who do not hesitate to demean any democratic institution ("Hostage to Anarchy", October 17). Lalu Prasad Yadav's rule in Bihar has pushed the underprivileged deeper into poverty and illiteracy and reduced governance to corruption and crime, yet he is described as strong secular force in Bihar.

Dhirendra Mishra, Allahabad

It is customary to blame Lalu for whatever goes wrong in the state, whether it is kidnapping or corruption. It is easy also-after all everyone is criticising Lalu. Not that he does not share the blame. The real tragedy of Bihar is that there is no better alternative. Winning an election is not the only way to improve the condition of the state. What is the contribution of the Opposition in the state other than crying and cribbing?

Kirti Singh, Ranchi

Crisis of Identity

Hurting the sentiments of about 69,000 Parsis for the sake of 350-odd members of the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism is not justified ("Wider Embrace", October 10). Just like we Parsis do not have to convert to Hinduism or any other religion to follow their teachings, there is no need for anybody to convert into our religion to follow the teachings of Zarathustra.

Pervez G. Mandviwala, Surat

Tell Us the Whole Story

The building of coastal dams in Gujarat may be a good way to check salinity and conserve water but the article does not tell us how much cultivable land was submerged by these dams and how many people were displaced ("Sweet Returns", October 17). It does give an example of one farmer happily donating his farmland for the project but what about others? Or are they too poor to be counted?

Rajeev Tikku, Jammu

Tibet Reloaded

The article on Tibet gives an insight into the Buddhist land of today ("The New Tibet", October 17). It is time the world stops seeing the region through the prism of history, which undoubtedly was cruel to its people, and accept it in its present modern form. This is not to say that the cultural cost Tibet has been made to pay and the suffering it has undergone is compensated by the development going on there, but one cannot keep looking back forever. At some point of time, one has to disengage from the past or at least its bitterness and make a new beginning.

Simran Bhargav, Delhi

Index