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Letters
9/17/2018 15SEPT2018E
http://tehelka.com/15SEPT2018E/mobile/index.html 1/2
CONTAGION? NO,
LEPROSY IS NOT
With reference to the column The Last Word titled “Leprosy is
curable but stigma linked to it kills” by Abdul Wasey
(September 15)
The media must be appreciated
for highlighting the progress
of active leprosy case detection
campaigns. However, there are
some gaps, an example being the
usage to still describe leprosy
as a “contagion”. The disease
is no longer a “contagion” and
can be cured with a multi-drug
therapy that is available free
in government hospitals. The
disease must also be detected
early. The use of such words will
only contribute to stigma and
discrimination, in turn affecting
the ongoing efforts of the leprosy
programme.
P MANICKAM
TEHELKA / 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 6 WWW.TEHELKA.COM
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LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM /TEHELKA @TEHELKA
Proper flood management democracy. Unambiguously, in-command has done over 50
Minister has also said that we societal behaviour. Societal
plan is the need of hour should attain technological behaviour is moulded by we cannot expect superb years. Certainly, the change of
With reference to the Cover Story “Man-made capacity to improve the quality predominant ideologies in the performances from mediocre guard in the DMK, as wished by
disaster sinks Kerala” by KV Lakshmana of predictions. region and credit must be given personnel who secured Kalaignar, was a cause for the
The floods in Kerala have been Everyone knows the low where it is due. admission in premier party cadres to celebrate.
devastating in terms of the loss accuracy of weather forecasts NOEL THERATTIL educational establishments and Stalin is aware that heading
of lives, damage to houses and which are practically rituals. His positions solely connected to the principal party in the State
other infrastructure and, most argument that some of the rivers What created the magic is a caste or religion. is not an easy task. On officially
importantly, loss of occupations — Achankovil and Manimala, perfect mix of education and Political outfits, however, taking over the reins of the
and businesses. There is debate which flooded Pandalam and political awakening whereby still support the existing system party, he gave a categorical
about the causes of floods and Thiruvalla — do not have dams is such a citizenry is fully aware of of reservation overtly for their assurance that the DMK will
the authorities in Kerala should not the full fact. Both these rivers its rights and responsibilities — a achievements rather than represent and uphold the ideals
study this subject scientifically. flow into the highly-flooded boon to any democracy. It is this the genuine development of propounded by the Periyar. He
They should not hesitate to Pampa, causing an incapacity enviable case of camaraderie the country. Our unbiased has stood as a bulwark against
reach out to the United Nations of the tributaries to empty, thus and mass power that binds a intelligentsia and political cultural invasion attempted by
and other countries that have raising water levels in both of nation state. stalwarts should revamp the the Sangh Parivar and the Modi
vast expertise in flood mitigation them. Such a secular fabric must quota system at the earliest. Government in the name of
strategies. There must be a flood If Vijayan plans to “build stay in place and be emulated TKM KUMBALAMCHUVATTIL religious nationalism.
management plan for each river a new Kerala”, taking into across the nation especially in By forging an electoral
basin. consideration “ecological issues”, times of divisive politics.
India, Pakistan should alliance with secular parties
Natural infrastructure such he should be willing to accept ANJALI B strive for fruitful relations in the State and aligning with
as marshes, reefs, mangroves what V.S. Achuthanandan said in Time to revamp the quota With reference to the report “Sidhu on firing line the secular and social justice
and beaches can help protect
the Assembly — “flawed policies,
over his visit to Pakistan” by Rajendra Khatry
forces in the post-poll scenario
coastal areas. All this is well- formulated under pressure system at the earliest (September 15) at the Centre, he should prove
There has been a lot of noise
documented. There should also
from vested interest groups”,
be concerted efforts to promote had opened the door for the With reference to the column Hard Line titled in India recently pertaining to that he is indeed a worthy
“Without de-reservation, reservation is useless”
successor.
rainwater harvesting. razing of hills, encroachment by Anil Singh (September 15) Navjot Singh Sidhu hugging
Since there is a debate The basic reason for Pakistan Army Chief General G DAVID MILTON
about the safety of dams, new of forests, reclamation of reservation is poverty and this Qamar Javed Bajwa during his
sources of energy should be wet lands, damming of phenomenon exists in every recent visit to Pakistan. Only tough regulations will
help improve public health
streams and rivers and illegal
One fails to understand as to
sought out. Sunlight is the most quarrying” which have led to human race, irrespective of why people are criticising Sidhu. With reference to the Cover Story “Action, not
caste, creed or religion. The
freely available form of energy piecemeal development and policy of earmarking certain He has neither committed politics, will help curb drug deaths” by Raju
William and Bharat Hiteshi (July 31)
and harvesting it should be
not sustainable growth. These
encouraged. As these floods flawed policies are obviously percentage of governmental a crime nor has he made a The report reflects the
benefits, like jobs in public
sentiments of millions in India
mistake. Such gestures can
occurred in an age of improved the creation of both the LDF and establishments, admission to reduce mistrust and improve — that multinationals have
technology, each town must UDF governments. PRV RAJA premier educational institutes relations between India and never really cared about the
have guidelines on flood safety
precautions. This would also compromising the qualifying Pakistan. Now,that Imran Khan ailing masses and only think
standards et al, is obviously
about their bottom lines. Why is
is the Prime Minister of Pakistan,
mean ensuring sufficient There has been a lot of emphasis irrational and also against the one hopes that both India and the government in India silent
numbers of boats in flood-prone
villages. on the display of social solidarity principles of Indian democracy. Pakistan would strive for fruitful even after the horrifying details
and the human spirit in Kerala
Providing equal facilities
relations leaving behind any sort
of medical negligence? There
DR AJAYA KUMAR but the question often glossed and opportunities, irrespective of animosity. should be greater concern,
over is about the political system of caste, creed, religion et al, on DEVENDRA KHURANA stringent statutory provisions
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi that fostered it. merit alone must be the sole and deterrent action.
Vijayan’s claim that there was
Over decades, a sense of
criteria in deciding the winners.
Separately, and as it has often
nothing wrong in “our” dam social solidarity has been In the global arena, we are Stalin needs to prove been highlighted in the sections
management is strange. He has fostered in India’s lone obliged to contest with world’s he is worthy successor of the media, many drugs are
communist-ruled State — home
blamed the India Meteorology
giants and not with mediocre or
With reference to the report “Stalin inherits
being promoted in irrational
Department for not providing to a religious demographic feigned opponents. legacy as per Karunanidhi’s wish” combinations. The way clinical
by KV Lakshmana (August 31)
the State Government with which would be considered a Hence, the ideology of The elevation of MK Stalin as trials are being conducted,
sufficient information. tinderbox in the rest of India. demeriting meritorious Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam with many used as guinea pigs,
But the State Electricity
The rapid mobilisation of
candidates for caste-related
is another area that needs
(DMK) president marked a
Board, which manages the resources and solidarity by reasons is quirky and new era in Tamil Nadu politics. regulation. The new health
dams, had confirmed that the Malayalis across the world degenerative to the nation; It also marked the successful policy should help the poor and
IMD forecasts were proved speaks of an intangible quality besides it contradicts the culmination of a tireless ailing masses.
wrong even in July. The Chief that goes beyond the normative primary ethics of a bonafide political work that the second- AG RAJMOHAN
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