BEST LETTERS OF THE WEEK

Lessons to Remember
With reference to the editorial by Arindam Chaudhuri, “Run! The merchants of death are angry” (TSI, June 17), I would like to state that he has indeed very appropriately categorized the hospitals as 'merchants of death'. The conditions of the government hospitals are appalling. The patients are asked to purchase medicines that are costly. In general, the doctors are in the habit of going by the trade name of the drug, it may be some ploy of the drug manufacturer to popularize their product. Instead both the government and private practitioners should feasibly try to cut down the cost of treatment by using generic medicines, considering the fact that their profession is believed to be the most noblest. Kudos to the new Aamir Khan show 'Satyameva Jayate' for bringing to the forefront the medical malpractice existing in the society. The efforts of Mr. Khan should be lauded instead of condemning it.
R. Sinha
via email

Avid Reader
The article, “Archer takes aim again” (TSI, June 17) is a good primer for those who wish for writing novels. It is necessary to devote a few hours for writing. The story telling concept and ideas can come from various sources by reading plenty of books. To supplement it creativity need not be a god gift but can be taught in creative writing courses. An instant idea can be developed to craft a novel by studying the subject for some months like Arthur Hailey of 'The Moneychangers' fame. One may not reach the status of a prolific novelist like Jeffrey Archer  the creator of 'Sins of Father' but one's product after going through the steps of writing could be wonderful. One has to traverse the writing path without craving for success. As another novelist says in the same issue(history mail) visit the libraries to increase your creative faculty.
K.R.Deshpande
Bangalore

The Forgotten Oath
In the context of the well acclaimed TV show 'Satyameva Jayate' and the apt analysis made by Arindam Chaudhuri in the editorial  " Run! The merchants of death are angry!" ( TSI, June 17), may I point out that many doctors have forgotten their sacred Hippocratic oath that they have taken before joining this profession. I believe it is necessary that they go through it all over again.
Suman Kukal
Ambala