Date:05/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2009/07/05/stories/2009070550090300.htm

Coming home

The article (“When tradition goes trendy", Magazine, June 28) has highlighted the paramount significance of India in the hearts of youth residing in the rest of world. Due to circumstances, people may migrate to other countries, but when it comes to celebrating marriages, they keep India as the destination. This is due to the fact that nostalgia overtakes all other inconveniences of travel, expenses etc. They prefer to go to the ‘roots’ and have the occasion blessed. This is also the only golden opportunity for them to witness a ‘reunion’ of all the family members from all parts of India. When it comes to emotions, traditional values, heritage, religious ceremonies et al India is still a preferred destination, undoubtedly.

Ashok Jayaram,

Bangalore

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It was a pleasure to read how in the era of globalisation, there is still a place for culture and tradition in the hearts of many. A distinct respect for the nation’s generations-old rituals could be seen in the varied experiences shared in the story. It was nice to see how people could not imagine their most significant moment in life, wedding, without the Indian tone to it. Hope this trend continues.

Amna Mirza

Delhi

Dealing with rape

Kalpana Sharma’s observation in her article “Prime Time rape” points to the vulnerability of women. In almost all the cases, culprits escape the noose of law mainly because of the victim’s reluctance to complain out of fear of losing reputation. It is high time we find a way out of this vicious circle. The constitution of a special cell consisting of women doctors, advocates, psychiatrists and police officers can be considered. The proceedings of the cell should be invariably in camera so that the reputation of the victims is well protected. The new cell thus constituted can play a crucial role in bringing the culprits before the law and act as an effective machinery in controlling rape to a certain extent.

Petson Peter C.,

Kochi

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The article was really thought-provoking. Kalpana Sharma has rightly pointed that because of the fear of consequences women hesitate to report rape. Media, especially the news channels, have been playing a very negative role in all such cases. Instead of ensuring that the identity of the victim is not revealed, efforts are made to give as much information as possible. The need of the hour is to have stringent laws and some kind of action against the media houses for revealing the identity of the victim. Unless it is done women will remain hesitant to turn to the law.

Kalpana Bindu

New Delhi

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The laws concerning rape in India are distinctly soft and the rapist exploits loopholes of the law to escape with light or no punishment at all. The media indulges only in sensationalism. Sex crimes receive undue publicity. The rape victim is always at the receiving end. The reportage of rape by the media should be banned totally. Rape trials should be carried out in camera. If confirmed by due process of law the rapist should receive death penalty and nothing less. Suitable amendments should be incorporated in our Criminal Procedure Code dealing with rape law.

G. Azeemoddin

Anantapur

Modern addictions

The article “Married to the job” (Magazine, June 28) by Vijay Nagaswami is thought-provoking. The inclination towards workaholism has been seeping into our lives over the last two decades as the nature of our work has become demanding. The obsession to reach financial heights as well as to over-achieve in his profession turns a man into a workaholic. He works for tomorrow’s pleasure, denying today’s happiness to his family members. Workaholics remain taut and isolated and sullen. There have been many cases in the past which show that workaholism over a period can lead to declining health. The practice of “Switch on” mode at workplace and “Switch off” mode at home is a way out of this addiction.

S. Sridhar

Chennai

Hidden gem

Chitra Ramaswamy has done justice to Korba through her write-up. Korba is little known to the outside world except for its coal mines, power plants of NTPC and State Electricity Board, explosives plant at Gopalpur and aluminium plant at Balco. Korba is simply beautiful in its untouched rural life and abundant greenery and wonderful geography. When I reached Korba eighteen years back to join as an insurance manager there the first thing I did was to write to my mother about the place which resembled some parts of Kerala. The Chhattisgarh government has, to my mind, not yet sufficiently marketed Korba and its beauty to our domestic tourists.

V.N.S. Pillai