Spare the axe
Sir — The number of vehicles plying the roads is increasing every day. The authorities are forced to widen the roads in order to avoid traffic congestion. But it is saddening that many big trees along the highways and roads are chopped down mercilessly so that the paths can be widened. This is dangerous for the environment. The civic administration should pay immediate attention to this matter. First, trees should be uprooted instead of being chopped and replanted elsewhere. If cutting down trees is the only option available, then it should be ensured that trees are planted along the widened roads. This will, to a certain extent, compensate for the loss of valuable flora. It is also desirable that expert advice be sought on relocating full-grown trees as was successfully done in Calcutta recently.
Sourish Misra,
Calcutta
Lost light
Sir — It is saddening that the famous actress, Sridevi, passed away at the age of 54 (“She lived much of her life before time”, Feb 26). This is a grave loss for the film industry. She was a fine actress, who worked not only in Hindi films but also in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam movies. She was one of India’s most popular filmstars. In fact, she was even called the country’s ‘first female superstar’. She won millions of hearts with films like Nagina, Mr. India, Chandni and Chaalbaaz.
Jubel D’Cruz,
Mumbai
Sir — The news of Sridevi’s death came as a bolt from the blue. I remember watching her first Hindi blockbuster, Himmatwala. The film is enchanting mostly because of her acting. She acted in nearly 300 films in different languages. As an actress she played all her characters with utmost honesty. Her acting in Sadma, especially, is commendable. Sridevi’s untimely demise is disturbing. The world of Indian entertainment will never be the same.
Ashim K. Chakraborty,
Guwahati
Sir — An era has ended with the passing away of the veteran actress, Sridevi. Her superb performance in films like Chandni and Lamhe got her the tag of India’s ‘first female superstar’. Indeed, she was an actress who could give a box office hit without support from a prominent male actor. Before her debut in the Hindi film industry, she had already delivered several hits in South India. Sridevi was a versatile actress who made her fans
fall in love with the characters she played on screen. She has left behind an unforgettable legacy, which shall be cherished in the years to come.
Ramesh G. Jethwani,
Bangalore
Sir — The sudden demise of Sridevi is an irreparable loss to the Indian film industry. She was undoubtedly a powerhouse of talent. Her films not only won the hearts of many, but they gave the viewers a scope to escape the monotony and tensions of life. It is heartbreaking that she died at a time when her daughter, Jhanvi Kapoor, is about to make a Bollywood debut.
Sridevi’s chemistry with actors like Jeetendra, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna was appreciable. Her death has created a void that cannot be filled.
Iftekhar Ahmed,
Calcutta
Tell tales
Sir — In his column, “Tell stories” (Feb 26), Sabir Ahamed has highlighted a pertinent topic: storytelling. Even a few decades ago, Bengali children grew up listening to the enchanting stories in Thakurmar Jhuli, a famous collection of folk and fairy tales. Comics and graphic novels in various languages were other favourites. Then there were also tales from the Ramayan, Mahabharat and Panchatantra. Comics and televisions shows that are published and aired these days are poor substitutes. The opportunity to learn valuable lessons through stories,
or even lullabies, told by grandparents occupied an important place in a child’s life. The emerging trend of nuclear families has stolen this joy.
Sanjit Ghatak,
Narendrapur
Sir — The article, “Tell stories”, makes an important point. Sabir Ahamed’s argument that storytelling enhances the critical imagination of children is on the money. In our childhood, grandparents used to narrate stories while feeding us lunch and dinner. It seems to me that grandparents are blessed with a special skill of weaving narratives that capture the attention of children, who are so captivated that they do not realize what or how much they are being fed.
These stories inculcated moral lessons and values in children. The addiction to stories also often helped children develop a reading habit. One never forgets stories that were told by grandparents and thus the lesson imparted by them remain with individuals for a lifetime. It is a pity that more and more families are becoming nuclear and parents have no time to read stories to children. Kids partake meals while watching television. Parents should understand that storytelling helps a child be more curious and creative. It also makes children better listeners and more patient. Is it any wonder that children these days are becoming increasingly restless.
Kiran Agarwal,
Calcutta
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