CALCUTTA
Work together
Sir - The reports, "Rhinos, that's all our neighbour is asking for" and "College teachers to conduct study on poaching" (April 6), reinstated hope in the efforts being made to conserve wildlife in Assam. These efforts will hopefully spread to the other states in India's neglected Northeast. Without the involvement of the citizens of Assam, including forest dwellers, villagers and members of tribal communities, the chances of protecting vulnerable wildlife are slim. Curbing illegal activities such as poaching, unlawful trade in animal body parts and encroachment upon forest areas can only be successful if people are educated and made aware of these problems, and all stakeholders are brought together in making the conservation efforts a success.
The government as well as the urban population must work with the marginalized people who inhabit the areas around national parks and sanctuaries in order to give meaning to conservation activities. These poor people live in remote areas, in close proximity to endangered species of wildlife. If their lot does not improve, it will be difficult to involve them in the conservation process. Armed surveillance and policy-making alone will not help protect rhinos and other forms of wildlife.
Yours faithfully,
Saikat Kumar Basu,Lethbridge, Canada
Close the eye
Sir - The Union minister for human resource development, Smriti Irani, recently spotted a hidden camera in the trial room of a clothing store in Goa, and raised an alarm. Four people were arrested, but were let out on bail the following day ("Cops zero in on Fabindia suspect", April 13). Many such incidents come to light, but strict action is rarely taken against the culprits.
The misuse of technology has become very common. It is important that strict laws are implemented to punish those who choose to use technology for such nefarious purposes. If hidden cameras are found in the restrooms or in the changing rooms of stores, the owners' licences should be cancelled and they should be made to pay heavy penalties. The culprits should also face rigorous imprisonment for many years.
Acts of voyeurism not only violate a person's privacy, but video recordings of the activities of unsuspecting individuals can also be used to blackmail them. Video clips are often circulated as pornographic material. Every store must put up signboards declaring that their trial rooms do not have hidden CCTV cameras. These rooms must be checked by responsible officers everyday in order to ensure that they are free of hidden cameras.
Yours faithfully,
Mahesh Kapasi, Delhi
Sir - It was fortunate that Smriti Irani was able to detect the presence of a concealed CCTV camera in the changing room of a garments store in Candolim, Goa. Irani was right to take action against the accused, but it would not be surprising to know that there are hundreds of incidents where innocent people remain unaware that they are being filmed by cameras they cannot see. The digital age has made life comfortable for people, but there is also a dark side to the advancement of technology. Gadgets that help people can also be used to ruin their lives.
Yours faithfully,
T.S. Karthik, Chennai
Missing the voice
Sir - With the demise of Richie Benaud, Australia has lost its greatest cricketing icon after Don Bradman. Benaud was the first cricketer to have made 2,000 Test runs and get 200 wickets. He was a fine bowler, an attacking batsman and, above all, a brilliant captain. If the Australian team led by Bradman dominated cricket in the 1930s and 1940s, the side led by Benaud stood out in the 1960s.
Benaud was made captain for the first time in 1958-59 against Peter May's English Test squad. His team triumphed with a 4-0 victory over England. Cricket had been going through a lacklustre phase at the time. When Frank Worrell's West Indies side toured Australia in the 1960-61 season, both Benaud and Worrell livened up the game with their attacking captaincy. The Test series turned out to be one of the most famous ever played. In the first Test, Australia was heading towards defeat at 57 for 5 on the final day, but Benaud, along with Davidson, played some attacking cricket, which resulted in an exhilarating finish. In 1961, he led Australia to victory against England at Manchester by taking 6 wickets on the final day. At one stage, England was at 150 for 1; it then collapsed for 201. Australia won the Test by 54 runs and the series 2-1.
Benaud retired from Test cricket in 1964 owing to a shoulder injury. He became one of cricket's greatest commentators. He captivated fans with his intelligent and witty remarks.
Yours faithfully,
Atul Krishna Srivastava,Salboni, Midnapore
Sir - Richie Benaud's crisp, charming voice used to capture the goings-on during a game for cricket fans from all over the world. He will be remembered as an unmatched commentator, a great player and captain. Cricket commentary will never be the same again.
Yours faithfully,
Rakesh Bajoria, Calcutta
Sir - Richie Benaud was a genuine all-rounder and a shrewd skipper. In his first stint as captain, he expertly led the Aussies to a 4-0 win against a powerful English side, which had been compared to Bradman's invincible team of 1948.
Yours faithfully,
Arun Malankar, Mumbai
BIHAR
Untimely action
Sir — At last the Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo, Lalu Prasad, has taken action against Pappu Yadav, the RJD parliamentarian from Madhepura. Recently, the party issued a show-cause notice to Yadav for his anti-party activities and for speaking against the party line. The party leadership should have taken this step a long time ago. Yadav has continuously criticized Prasad, and yet, the party has kept mum on the matter. One wonders why the step has been taken at a time when matters have already hit such a low.
The RJD should have clipped Yadav’s wings before he could damage the reputation of the party. The most appropriate time to do so would have been the instant when it was alleged that he was bribing legislators in favour of Jitan Ram Manjhi before the latter was to face the floor test in the assembly. There was enough evidence against Yadav to have him expelled from the party. However, no action was taken against him. As if this were not enough, Yadav dared to challenge Prasad on the issue of his succession and termed Prasad an arrogant person. Any other party would have taken such insubordination seriously, especially since a party-member was showing disrespect towards the leader of the party, but the RJD did not punish him.
Thankfully, the party has come to its senses. The action against Yadav will, hopefully, set an example for the other rebels who may have been thinking of going against the party. The RJD should not have given Yadav 15 days to reply to the show-cause notice. Prasad should have just expelled him.Yadav has already commented against the much-talked about merger of the Janata parivar. Such conduct should be nipped in the bud.
Yours faithfully,
Brajmohan Singh, Patna
Home invasion
Sir — It was saddening to read the report, “Scientist kin tries to get property back” (April 20), that highlighted how the family members of a noted nuclear scientist of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, were running from pillar to post to get their ancestral house vacated. Their house is located in Dehri-on-Sone in Bihar’s Rohtas district. Although the family is believed to have got back the house on the directive of the chief secretary, a part of the property is still not under their control.
It is a matter of great pride that Bihar can boast of a noted scientist like Jyoti Nath Sharma in the BARC, an institute of national repute. Sharma’s contribution to the field of nuclear science is laudable. It is shocking that his ancestral house was illegally occupied and that his family had to knock on the doors of the police and administrative officials to keep the encroachers at bay.
Encroachment of land or forcible occupation of old buildings is not a new phenomenon in Bihar. Hundreds of cases related to land grab or forcible occupation of buildings have been pending in the district courts and the high court. Recently, the state government also expressed its concern over the rise in property-related cases in Bihar. There have been instances when old parents have been killed by their children owing to disputes over property. I urge the state government to formulate a policy to urgently deal with cases related to property disputes. Stern action should be initiated and the offenders awarded harsh punishment. Only a fear of the law can help people get justice.
Recently, I came to know that the Bihar government has decided to provide all the technical support required to the district collector (land reforms) for the timely disposal of complaints related to property. It is time action was taken against illegal encroachers.
A survey conducted by the state police has reportedly revealed that 35 per cent to 40 per cent of murders committed in the state were related to property disputes. The government should ensure the speedy trial of such cases without fail.
Yours faithfully,
Birbhandra Narayan Singh, Patna
Leading light
Sir — With the demise of Richie Benaud, Australia has lost its greatest cricketing icon after Don Bradman. Benaud was the first cricketer to have achieved 2,000 Test runs and 200 wickets. He was a fine bowler, an attacking batsman and above all a brilliant captain who never lost a Test series. If the Australian team led by Bradman dominated cricket in the 1930s and 1940s, the side that was led by Benaud stood out in the 1960s.
Benaud was made captain for the first time in 1958-59 against Peter May’s English Test squad. His team triumphed with a 4-0 victory over England. However, cricket had been going through a lacklustre phase. When Frank Worrell’s West Indies side toured Australia in the 1960-61 season, both Benaud and Worrell livened up the game with their attacking captaincy. The Test series turned out to be one of the most famous ever played. In the first Test, Australia was heading towards defeat at 57 for 5 on the final day, but
Benaud, along with Alan Davidson played some attacking cricket, which resulted in an exhilarating finish. In 1961, he led Australia to a famous victory against England at Manchester by taking six wickets on the final day. At one stage, England was at 150 for 1; it then collapsed for 201 all out. Australia won the Test by 54 runs and eventually the series 2-1.
Benaud retired from Test cricket in 1964 owing to a shoulder injury. He became one of cricket’s greatest commentators. He captivated fans for years with his intelligent and witty remarks.
Yours faithfully,
Atul Krishna Srivastava,Salboni, Midnapore
ORISSA
Remembered greatness
Sir — I had the privilege of meeting J.B. Patnaik in Baripada long ago when he had come to inaugurate a chemical and dyes factory. The chief minister was on a mission to fulfil his “1,000 industries in 1,000 days” dream. As a student of Class IV, I was keener on getting a glimpse of the white Impala car in which he was travelling. The clean white dhoti-clad J.B. Patnaik addressed a small gathering. He spoke about his desire of changing Odisha through industrialization and tourism (“Bhishma and Chanakya”, April 23).
Odisha was one of the first states in India to transform tourism into an industry. Even after reading about so many controversies involving the leader, I could not believe that such a suave gentleman could have blots on his persona. I shall always cherish his clean image.
Yours faithfully,
Akhil Jha, Baripada
Sir — The demise of J.B. Patnaik marks the end of an era in Odisha’s politics. There would be no one to take his place. The loss is even bigger for the Congress, the popularity of which is on the decline. Patnaik had been a guide for top Congress leaders. His death would definitely hamper the functioning of the party. I cannot stop admiring his library, which shows his erudition. There was a time when Odisha was synonymous with him. His magnanimity would be remembered forever.
Yours faithfully,
Surendra Sahoo,Cuttack
Sir — No one can ever match J.B. Patnaik’s contribution to Odisha’s development. But a number of rumours overshadowed the good work done by him. One of his most admirable qualities was that he regularly visited various districts of the state and interacted with the people.
I remember seeing him once when I was quite young. He was very cordial and polite. Notwithstanding a few controversies, he took a number of praiseworthy steps for the development of the state.
Yours faithfully,
Bharati Pradhan,Bhubaneswar
Sir — J.B. Patnaik’s literary achievements made him a stalwart in the world of literature. The number of awards the politician had received for his works is mind boggling. He had bagged the Sahitya Akademi Award for translating the novels of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee from Bengali to Odia.
The scholar had even translated the Ramayan, Mahabharat and the Gita in Odia. His translation of Bairagya Shataka brought him the Odisha Sahitya Akademi award. The state government should keep aside party politics and come up with a memorial library and scholarships to honour Patnaik.
Yours faithfully,
Paramita Choudhury, Bhubaneswar
Sir — The demise of J.B. Patnaik has left Odisha in a state of mourning. He was a successful chief minister and had launched programmes — in the fields of irrigation and communication, social infrastructure and industrialization — that inspired contemporary politicians. He also launched the famous “1,000 industries in 1,000 days” scheme. It helped promote local entrepreneurship and create job opportunities in the small and medium enterprises sector.
Apart from encouraging industries, he also helped strengthen the state’s cultural foundations. He encouraged a range of cultural activities — from maritime research to literature, theatre to dance — with financial support and intellectual guidance.
Yours faithfully,
Parikhit Samal, Cuttack