Sad state

• Sir - The editorial, "Back to school" (Jan 2), aptly captures the problems children face in India. It is sad that many youngsters take their own lives after being admonished by their parents and teachers. Although corporal punishment in schools is banned in India, there is not enough awareness on the negative impact that harsh words can have on young minds.

Again, many kids do not even get the opportunity to complete school. At a time when they should, ideally, be studying, they have to slog out for sustenance. The much-touted "development" process has clearly failed to make a difference in the lives of a large section of the population.Today's children are going to shape the future of the country. Therefore, every citizen must try to promote an environment that would help children attain their maximum potential. Only then will the nation progress.

Iftekhar Ahmed,

Calcutta

Difficult choice

• Sir - Looking after patients should be the topmost concern of doctors. But, it seems, the Indian Medical Association has forgotten that. The recent doctors' strike called by the organization affected services in many government and private hospitals across the country ("Medical bill sent to panel", Jan 3). Patients, especially the poor ones, and their families were seen running from pillar to post to avail treatment. A few doctors, allegedly, even prevented their colleagues from joining work. The medical profession has become a million-dollar business. But, sadly, some doctors cannot even bear the thought of a little erosion in their earnings. The campaign against the national medical commission bill arises from this insecurity. The Union health minister, J.P. Nadda, should continue to push the bill.

K.A. Solaman,

Alappuzha, Kerala

• Sir - The NMC bill, which has now been sent to a parliamentary standing committee, might be a convenient way to address the lack of qualified medical professionals in villages ("Doctors flash quack alert", Dec 31). However, at the same time, it is also demeaning towards Indian healing traditions. When people are increasingly opting for herbal products and alternative medicine, this move could turn out to be counter-productive. Why should those specializing in homoeopathy and indigenous medical traditions be required to learn allopathy? Are they inferior to others? One did not expect such a recommendation to come from a government that claims to represent Indian values and culture.

Prasenjit Baidya,

South 24 Parganas

• Sir - The government is trying to promote quackery in the medical field by allowing homeopathy and ayurveda doctors to practise modern medicine. All that the latter are required to do is undergo a bridge course. The administration must know that an aspirant to an MBBS degree has to compete with lakhs of students to get admission into a medical college. Thereafter, he or she has to struggle hard for more than five years to earn the degree. But it now appears that people having little knowledge of modern treatment will be allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines. If this bill gets passed, then it will have disastrous consequences for the nation.

Shivang Agarwal,

Calcutta

• Sir - The apprehensions against the NMC bill that may allow practitioners of ayurveda, unani and naturopathy, siddha and homoeopathy, to prescribe modern medicines are misconceived. Those trained in alternative medicine are sometimes the only medical personnel available in the countryside. To give them an understanding of the basics of modern medicine is a logical step, given that most doctors are unwilling to work in the villages.

H.N. Ramakrishna,

Bangalore

Changing role

• Sir - The movie star, Rajinikanth, recently announced that he will float his own party ("Let party begin, Rajini-style", Jan 1). His entry in politics is in tune with the political tradition of Tamil Nadu. Many popular film personalities such as M. Karunanidhi, M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa became successful leaders in the past. Rajinikanth may be able to fill the vacuum that has been left after the death of Jayalalithaa.

However, actors who ventured into politics in other parts of India have not been able to match the achievements of their counterparts in Tamil Nadu. Even the famous Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachchan, had to bow out of politics.

Madhu Agrawal,

Dariba, Delhi

• Sir - The decision of Rajinikanth to enter politics is a positive development. This would allow him to prove his credentials as a people's man. However, in spite of Rajinikanth's popularity, politics will not be a cakewalk for him. The film star should take on entrenched corruption in the system and fight for the rights of common citizens.

Md. Rustam Parwez,

Hyderabad

• Sir - The public buzz around Rajinikanth's entry into politics has drowned out the news of another Tamil actor, Kamal Haasan, joining politics. However, the actual challenge for Rajinikanth would be to take on the established political parties in Tamil Nadu.

Nissar Mehdi,

Hyderabad