Bovine menace, a challenge for commuters

Sir — Stray cattle are having a free run on the roads of the state capital and blocking traffic on the busy stretches, despite tall claims by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation of having taken steps to clear them off the roads. The cattle owners carelessly let them loose and the animals go around feeding on all kinds of waste (including toxic waste) from the garbage bins. I have also seen many people in my area offering food to the cows, apparently for religious reasons.

Because of this irresponsible behaviour of people, the cattle have become regular visitors in residential areas. The problem aggravates at night, when motorists, especially those riding two-wheelers, are unable to detect the cattle sprawled across the streets, leading to major accidents.

The absence of streetlights on many important stretches has made it an even bigger challenge for the commuters. I do not know who is to be blamed for this daily nuisance — the BMC or cattle owners. So, I would request you to kindly present our woes before the authorities concerned for immediate action.

Prabha Ray, Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar

gate shame

Sir — The coalgate has left the all-white Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik coal-faced. What makes his embarrassment even more pathetic is his belated and failed bid to project himself as a champion of the auction-based allocation of mineral resources.

The letter he wrote to the then Union coal minister Ravi Shankar Prasad advocating the allotment of a particular coal block to Jindal Steel and Power Limited is now out in the open. A protest rally against Polavaram or Centre-bashing over supply of fertilisers will not help erase the deep stain. Both Naveen Patnaik and his party should come clean, which is possible only after a thorough probe into allegations that they are hand-in-gloves with the big plunderers of Odisha’s mineral wealth and have benefited out of it.

What prevents the ‘transparent’ politician from asking the CBI to inquire into the whole scam before the Central investigation agency puts him in the dock? Today Naveen Patnaik faces the biggest challenge to his carefully cultivated ‘clean’ image and one can only hope he lives up to it.

Ratikant Sahoo,

VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar

Train traumas

l Sir — Through this letter, I wish to draw the attention of the railway authorities to the poor conditions and facilities provided in the Konark Superfast Express running from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai. On July 28, I was travelling by this train and went through a harrowing time because of the non-availability of water and substandard sanitary conditions. My co-passengers included children, senior citizens and even medical patients, mostly hailing from Odisha.

The lack of water supply to most coaches throughout the entire journey made it very uncomfortable and painful for all of us. Though we brought it to the notice of the railway staff on duty, they did not pay any attention to our complaints, which was indeed shocking. I hope this letter would attract the attention of the railway officers concerned and that they will take effective steps to put an end to the misery of passengers.

Laxmikanta Mohanty,

Bhubaneswar

Marital discord

l Sir — The front-page report “Made in heaven at hell’s door” published on August 19 on the rising number of divorce cases in the capital city is very disturbing. In my opinion, the three major factors responsible for this trend is the disintegration of the joint family system, fast-paced, stressful lifestyles and growing financial independence among women.

These days, young couples are more career-oriented and are not at all ready to compromise on their personal choices and freedom for their partners. What is even more alarming is the fact that many marriages are breaking even for trivial issues.

Even the stigma attached to divorce is waning and divorcees are finding social acceptance. Earlier, about a decade ago, couples feared to utter the “D” word, perhaps because of family and social pressure and anyhow tried to sort out problems in their marriage and sustain it.

But now, the educated, economically independent Odias are not shying away from knocking at the court’s door if there are the slightest of problems in their marriages.

This trend, though inevitable in a city, which is gradually transforming into a metropolitan, can be checked to some extent if the divorce laws are made more stringent.

Moreover, since divorces are more rampant in love marriages, the couples must be encouraged to attend pre-marital counselling sessions so that they are equipped with conflict management and adjustment skills.

M. Soumya,

Bhimtangi, Pokhariput

Empty promises

l Sir — The state government has approved a hike in city bus fare but there is no respite in sight for daily commuters like me. Most other cities have the system of monthly and fortnightly passes but the delay in introducing the same in Bhubaneswar is very frustrating.

I have been reading news report about “plans” to start a smart card service so that the issue of loose change or shortage of coins can be taken care of.

But everything seems to be in the “proposal” and “planning” stages and promises to bring relief to commuters “very soon” have remained but empty.

Satyajeet Swain, MBA student, Bhubaneswar