A sick society

Sir, - Enough feelings of sympathy have been expressed by everyone on the recent Erwadi tragedy. But, for me, parent of one of the victims, these are nothing but crocodile tears. I have practically experienced how difficult it is for mentally-disabled persons to live in this world. Their first enemy is the society and mental hospitals are no more than gaols without law.

From the time he turned four, when I noticed my son's activities being different and unusual from other children of his age, we understood that it was not the mentally-disabled persons who are the sufferers but their parents and guardians, and it was not the disability which was a big problem, but the attitude of the society towards these persons. The Government mental hospitals, where psychiatrists are casual visitors, are practically run by the lower-level paramedical staff and the patients are treated as animals for the reason that `they cannot be treated otherwise'. Psychiatrists are not ready to move from the cities or towns to villages and in terms of the fees charged, they are beyond the reach of the common man.

All I can say is that by their early death, the mentally disabled grown-up children escaped the ignominy and ostracism of this society.

K. Raju,

Hyderabad

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