Letters to the Editor

This it's our greed!
Doomsday is not about the problem with the Earth but about the world we have created and nurtured. The earth goes around the Sun with no fears and is lonely but still in motion. The world we have created is more about creating shortages and famine due to selfish thinking and manipulative capitalism. We create hunger and blame nature. Markets are manipulated and food seems to be in shortage. It is not the earth in danger but the very species that dwell on it. In India, death has become a routine due to sanitation and malnutrition. Doomsday is about death with food stored away in a concrete silo. Man has the responsibility of either destroying the species or keeping them alive. Disease is affecting performance and long life is more about draining wealth and the decay of the body. Capitalism has become a weapon and not a tool.
Pramila Chirukandan, Kondhwa, Pune

Let the farmers prosper
The report “No life after debt” (TSI, Dec 18) was really thought provoking along with Prasoon S Majundar’s article on FDI. Now our country is going through a  critical situation. Rich get richer and poor people are condemned to remain poor. A great number of people in our country are struggling hard to make both ends meet. When they are caught by debts and bank loans, they are forced to find final solution in suicide. Price hike and inflation have intensified their troubles. That is when the decision of Dr. Manmohan Singh to allow FDI in retail sector, comes as beacon light of hope to the millions of struggling peasants. There is a growing fear that FDI would weaken our financial system. On the contrary, it will do some good to the farmers. Therefore, instead of opposing FDI in retail, every political party must discuss this issue in the nation’s general interest, and not give it a political shade.
Muhammad Najeebullah, Mangalore

Never give up
The edit “The Winning Loser” (TSI, Dec 25) with excerpts from the book “Cult” co-authored by Arindam Chaudhuri and A Sandeep was indeed an inspiring one. It traced the rise to fame of greats like Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Joanne K Rowling, Barack Obama and Steve Jobs braving personal and occupational odds. The one common factor among all of them is the never-give-up attitude. Life for them had been one hard and relentless struggle boldly facing up to the pangs of disturbed childhood or the pains of professional setbacks. Instead of getting disheartened, these legendary icons have learnt from their mistakes and managed to take failures as stepping stones to triumph. That is the real mantra of success. Legend surrounding the medieval Scottish king Robert Bruce and the unrelenting spider illustrates the same maxim, “If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.”
Uma Sarkar, Kolkata

Eleven valuable tips
Arindam Chaudhuri's edit “Eeleven things that can transform education in India” (TSI, Jan 8) was really enlightening. Definitely there are shortcomings in the present education system. The higher education is at its stake especially in rural areas. Some youngsters want to change this scenario but they can be counted on  finger tips. Not only rural, some urban colleges should also learn to keep pace with globalization. Emasculation of the youngsters with innovative ideas by the so called elder teachers is actually the speed-breaker in quality of higher education. I agree with the editor as he says that it is time for the government to set up a massive corpus that would provide scholarships for deserving candidates from poor backgrounds. Primary level teachers are now not serious about their values that make them true teachers. 
Vinod Kumar Ashok Pradhan, Kolhapur

Kudos to tsi
This refers to the cover story “India's most unique villages” (TSI, Jan 8). Week after week, The Sunday Indian picks up a unique concept from real life issues to enlighten the readers all through. The year-end double issues carries interesting stories about India's villages which are unique in their own way. Hats off for the strenuous efforts made to extract these real life stories.
Satya Murty, Kakinada, West Bengal

Media and democracy
Your article "Revolution - The impact of Social Media" by Bhashyam Kasturi (TSI, Jan 8) illustrates the tremendous potential of social media in today's world. The growing reach and impact of social media has provided the much desired platform for people to exchange views and to stand up for their cherished causes. In a way, the state-of-the-art technology (web and mobile based applications) is being increasingly used for interactive exchanges on issues of ideology, politics, society and culture. Social networking sites and blogs like Facebook and Twitter have contributed towards growing support for people’s movements, from Anna Hazare to Arab Spring. New platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are also gaining popularity. Neither the government nor civil society can ignore the opinion building capacity of this new form of media. The increasing use of social media augurs well for democracy. Today, it is virtually unthinkable that any attack on the democratic edifice in any part of the world would go unreported and unprotested, thanks to the vibrant social media. And this is no mean achievement.
Ila Das, Kolkata

Reform education
The article “Eleven Things That Can Transform Education In India” by Arindam Chaudhuri (TSI, Jan 8) was really instructive. As an undergraduate student, I agree with the points raised by Choudhuri. Our education system is in dire need for an overhaul. Today, we are living in a technology driven society, that is constantly updating itself, but our education system is following old pedagogical methods of teaching. Teaching and learning by rote continues to be the most common way education is imparted in our country. On the other hand, another problem that has cropped up is the unrestrained commercialisation of education. While it is true that private players have a significant role to play in the growth and strengthening of the education system, it is also true that many treat it as business proposition that brings in good profits. What our education system needs is both qualitative and quantitative reform, a vertical growth and horizontal expansion.  The reforms we initiate will help students that follow after us. It's a part of nation building, where each one of us is a stakeholder.
Nirupam Hazra, West Bengal

Pain is gain
I found Arindam Chaudari’s editorial “The winning losers” (TSI, Dec 25) very inspiring. Winning or losing doesn't really matter. It all depends on how you look at the glass – is it half empty or half full? Author's claim that success is neither a cakewalk nor rocket science is correct. All success is the result of  dogged determination, indomitable will,  unflinching courage, impressive confidence, persistence and perseverance. These are the ingredients of crowning achievement. Actually no one in this world is born a loser or winner. Every parent supports their child to achieve the best he or she can. In this, failure is often a stepping stone to success. No gain without pain. That is the law of nature. Mr Choudhuri gives voice to a universal truth when he says that the flavour of success would remain sour unless one has an equal opportunity to prove their mettle. Smooth seas do not make skilled sailors. But when he swims against current it’s acknowledged as his glory.
Ebrahim Nasthar, Kasaragod, Kerala

Unique india
This refers to your year-end cover story “India’s Most Unique Villages” (TSI, Jan 8). All the featured articles presented a varied kaleidoscope of India’s unique rural life. Each story unravelled fascinating facets of a hitherto unknown India. The stories made me think who actually is an Indian? The rich Lava Patels, the Mattur Sanskrit scholars, the snake worshippers of Batti Shirala , the twins of Malappuram, the Tantrics of Mayang, Cooks of Udappankulam or the Portuguese descendants of Mirpur. Every story had a slice of an incredible India. The distinctiveness and diversity of these small rural hamlets makes the real India. An India which is getting lost in the race of globalisation.
Shubha Banerji, Dwarka, New Delhi