 |
| Childhood lost: It was alarming to read about slum children being used as drug peddlers (Slumdog cog in drugs supply chain, June 3) . It is difficult to understand why police are not able to nab the suppliers. Unless immediate action is taken, these innocent children are likely to become criminals sooner rather than later. |
The step by Calcutta police to counsel students to shun drugs is praiseworthy. Schools too must take the initiative and counsel parents about the gravity of the problem. Parents must be taken into confidence because it is important for them to build a rapport with their children, share thoughts and ideas. Adolescents like to think they have grown up but they are actually not mature enough. Parents need to talk them affectionately but effectively, with a lot of patience and understanding so that they do not lose their way. If a child confesses to having tried drugs once, parents should explain how dangerous it is and help correct the mistake. Only an understanding parent and a patient listener can bring the child back on the right path.
Prema Ramaswamy
Brahmapur
I remember Prasun Banerjee as a very good footballer and I wish his efforts (Medio MP’s first goal: E-W Metro, June 6), bear fruit. The people of Howrah want the E-W Metro badly. Mamata Banerjee must use her charisma to get the disputed land vacated so that work can be resumed. If not, Trinamul is certain to feel the repercussions in forthcoming elections. The encroachers of Duttabad are not moving because they have political support. Such appeasement measures hamper the cause of millions of daily passengers and will only go against the popularity of the government. Prasun Banerjee, with his promise, has caught the pulse of the people.
Benu Kumar Bose,
Salt Lake
I was touched to know that Prasun da’s first priority is the pending East West Metro.
I share his opinion that the link between Salt Lake and Howrah would benefit many. I am a resident of Salt Lake I and have to go to Howrah on business every alternate day. I either have to take second Hooghly bridge or the Howrah bridge and both routes are equally long and tiring. I wish Prasun da all the luck for the completion of the underwater Metro.
Sandeep Kr. Agarwal
I appreciate the good intentions of Howrah MP Prasun Banerjee to expedite the E-W Metro project.
It’s not the Prime Minister or the junior railway minister but his own party boss who can help him. Mamata Banerjee has to stop treating these projects as enemy property. She seems to be of the opinion that smooth completion of these projects would enhance the poll prospects of the Congress in Lok Sabha elections next year and hence she thinks nothing of jeopardising the future of the state. So, it would be a gigantic task for Prasun to dodge past his own party boss and put the ball (project) into the net (reality) as he did in his soccer career. It is the acid test of his ability. I sincerely wish his sincere efforts yield effective results, for the infrastructure growth of backward Bengal.
Debabrata Sengupta,
Howrah
The completion of the East-West Metro is doomed. The state government is indifferent to the plight of the project. The concrete overbridge is just a patchwork done in undue haste because of dilly-dallying by the state government in allowing land acquisition at Bowbazar. Besides, the state has proposed a new alignment, which is both unimaginative and impossible to execute. The long stretch from the EM Bypass to the Karunamoyee junction in Salt Lake is extremely hazardous with water leaking through gaps between the concrete slabs overhead.
P.B. Saha,
Salt Lake
Rituparno Ghosh leaves behind a rich legacy. While there are many aspects of his film-making that deserve mention, including his elegant portrayal of complex human relations, what appealed to me the most is the marvellous use of Rabindrasangeet in his films and it is for this quality that I will remember him the most (Memories and miss-you moments, June 12).
The treatment of the poignant Jeebono moroner simana chharaye in Shubho Mahurat formed an extraordinary motif in this thriller. While the use of Toree amar hothat dube jaay in Noukadubi was perhaps expected, the use of Je raate mor dooarguli was simply extraordinary. It was the strain of the song’s tune rather than the song itself that played along in the background, echoing the tragedy of the protagonists. While Meghe Dhaka Tara had made this song its own in a heart-wrenching sequence, Noukadubi’s scenes of the river-coast with wreckage of a boat and a newly-wed bride and groom who have survived the capsize will certainly follow close.This film featured another beautiful Rabindrasangeet, Tomaro ashime pranomono loye, in a poignant moment of a father sharing his young daughter’s pain of a heartbreak.
Gahanakusuma kunja majhe from Bhanusingher Padabali added grace to Abohoman, a drama involving an ageing director and his muse. Eki labonye purna pran has been used beautifully in Memories in March, for which Rituparno wrote the script and also acted in it. The song isn’t sung, just the tune is played hauntingly.
Avik Kumar Si,
Lake Town
All grand themes of life can be found within a family — love, grief, conflict. Families are puzzles that take a lifetime to work out. Rituparno never failed to portray the ebb and flow of relations and the fine threads of human psychology. He will continue to reign our hearts and can never be forgotten. Time and again, the man defined death in so many ways, in so many vibrant colours of eternity. Rituparno Ghosh will forever be remembered and celebrated.
Sanchari Ghosh,
Jadavpur University, department of international relations
Dear Rituda, it seems you were in a hurry to leave the worldly life. Your exuberant personality and enthusiasm always appealed to me very dearly. Being a probashi, I was never really drawn towards Bengali cinema apart from Uttam-Suchitra classics, that was till I saw Unishe April . Such a simple yet innovative film. Only a creative person like you could imagine an entire film based on an unspoken conversation between a mother and daughter. Your films like Dahan, Chokher Bali and Antarmahal showcased the traditional and regressive mindset of our so- called reformed society. Women were always an integral part of your creations. You were a master in highlighting the solitude and inner desires of women in films like Bariwali, Asukh, Shubho Mahurat and Dosar.
It is you who brought me closer to Tagore and his philosophy. Your films cut across the barriers of language, caste and culture and touched everyone deeply. With Aarekti Premer Galpo and Memories in March, you became a trendsetter. Kudos to you for speaking up for the other gender and their rights. Only a bold and beautiful filmmaker like you could muster the courage to depict one’s personal choice and grievances in a difficult film like Chitrangada. The poet and philosopher in you was evident inShob Charitra Kalponik and Abohoman. Death the inevitable truth has always been an important part of your films. You made us realise the beauty of death.
You are truly an ambassador of Bengali cinema but your journey ended too quickly. Sir, you will always remain an inspiration for a student like me and for other young talents.
Saurav Gupta,
Sherwood Estate, Narendrapur
As a student of film studies, I have always held Rituparno Ghosh’s films close to my heart. He gave birth to a Bengali new wave with his aesthetic creations. I loved his distinctive storytelling. I felt a deep respect for him after watching Dahan, where he showed the inflictions and sufferings of a woman who has been molested.
He was the true devoted worshipper of Tagore which is reflected in many of his films. He was also a pioneer as he opened the windows to portrayal of sexuality.
Ambika Ghosh,
Jadavpur University
It is common in our society not to value an achiever in his lifetime and to shower him with praise and accolades after death. Rituparno Ghosh is no exception. In spite of being a versatile filmmaker and an exceptional writer, he faced shameful criticism that forced him into the dark world of loneliness. His death is a great loss to Bengali film audience, a vacuum that will never be filled. He will forever be remembered for his films, through which he has left a lasting impression on the minds of people. This is because his creations came from the core of his heart. Achievement speaks louder than words and as a director he added his name to the legion of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen.
Tridib Kumar Biswas,
Baranagar
Rituparno Ghosh will always be remembered as someone who spoke to millions through his films. He was a true legend.
Anwesha Sensarma
GD Birla Centre for Education
Letters on reports appearing in Metro may be sent to:
The Telegraph (Metro)
6, Prafulla Sarkar Street
Calcutta - 700 001
E-mail: ttmetro@abpmail.com
