Date:12/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041204131005.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Matter of concern

Sir, — This refers to the article "A world gone rude?" (April 5). Public utterances of disrespect were few and far between in the 20th Century. Winston Churchill's description of Gandhi as a "half-naked fakir" and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's reported reference to the Indian delegation led by Swaran Singh as "Indian dogs" in the U.N. Assembly are some examples of intemperate language in public. But such utterances are becoming more common today. It is time social activists and behavioural scientists got more concerned about this global menace.

Mettil A. Nandan,
Chennai

Sir, — The article rightly points out that even in traditional societies, courtesy and good manners are becoming conspicuous by their absence. Gone are the days when children bent and touched the feet of the elders in the family as a mark of reverence. The monosyllabic `Hi' has taken its place. In the good old days, talking back to elders instantly invited either a severe reprimand or at times, even a stinging slap. Now even simple etiquette and niceties seem to be on their way out.

R.M.V.N. Ramakantha Rao,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.