The apt choice
The selection of Sonu Sood as THE WEEK’s Man of the Year was truly deserving (‘The road home’, December 20). Unlike mainstream Bollywood actors, Sood is known largely for his negative roles, which means he is not a big earner.
Only a big-hearted person like Sood can reach out to migrants and people who were stranded during the national lockdown.
We need more people like Sood in our country, who selflessly devote themselves to those in need of help.
Amarnath Dinesh Roy,
Bengaluru.
I wish more people would come forward to help poor people in India. Poverty is widespread and visible throughout the country. If people like Sood, apart from government agencies, come forward, it will help in eradicating or minimising poverty in India.
Jomy Paul,
On email.
Sood is a real hero, who assisted people affected by Covid-19, directly or indirectly.
Those who have read your cover story must salute Sood, and come forward to join his mission. May Sood get all success in reel- and real life.
S.I.M. Jafri,
On email.
Kudos to THE WEEK for selecting Sood as the Man of the Year. I feel nobody would have been more appropriate than Sood, who became a messiah for poor migrants, who were left high and dry by their employers.
Many reputed construction companies who had hired migrants washed their hands off at the last moment. Such cash-rich companies could have looked after the migrants for some days. But they did not do it, because money was everything for them.
Said the Buddha, “Money is the worst discovery of human life. But it is the most trusted material to test human nature.” Money tested the real human in Sood, and he triumphed.
G.V. Prasad,
On email.
Congratulations to THE WEEK on your cover story on Sood.
The magnanimous gestures of people like Sood will remain etched in our minds. Despite little support from the government, Sood rose to the occasion, bringing succour to the harassed.
Narayanan K.,
On email.
Need a strategy
Lack of basic facilities in government hospitals is a matter of concern everywhere. These hospitals are facilitating the growth of private hospitals, either as a matter of policy or on account of the lethargy of the personnel (‘Cries of anguish’, December 20).
In district government hospitals, more than one person is made to share a bed due to constraints of space. Sometimes, pay wards are purposefully not given.
A holistic plan is required in this sector, like improving facilities at health care centres, ensuring timely hospitalisation, and proper pre- and ante-natal care.
T.V. Jayaprakash,
On email.
Treat farmers well
The government should handle the farmers’ protest in the right manner. They deserve to be treated with reasonable dignity, like guests (‘Digging their heels in’, December 20).
I expect the government to clear the fears and misgivings of farmers through ways normally adopted in such cases.
Inder Mohan Mehta,
On email.
The farmers of our nation can be broadly classified into three categories: rich farmers, by legacy; medium farmers, by acquisitions and wealth; and marginal farmers, who own less than five acres.
The government should gain the confidence of the farmer, and only then introduce laws to make farmers’ life better.
Rangarajan T.S.,
On email.
Don’t be an opportunist
Either Barkha Dutt is ignorant or is deliberately trying to be ignorant when it comes to knowledge of key issues concerning farmers (‘Last word’, December 20).
What farmers are saying is not in their own long-term interest or in the interests of the nation. Your job, Barkha, is to report on issues without bias. Your job is also to educate those who are misinformed.
The question is whether you want the stalemate to end or you want to bring down the regime you don’t like. And if it is the latter, then what is the difference between you and opportunistic politicians?
Saurabh Prakash,
On email.
Find a solution
It is a fact that in India elections happen frequently, paralysing normal work (‘Forthwrite’, December 13). Officials, on the pretext of elections, cut short regular work for months. Some legal and constitutional way has to found out to avoid frequent elections.
One important thing to do is to enact a foolproof anti-defection law. The BJP is the biggest culprit in misusing the law and necessitating by-elections by inducing legislators through dubious means.
V.H. Subramoney,
On email.
Laughable explanation
Sadhguru is an excellent orator and a great strategist. His inner engineering courses and other techniques are marvellous.
Sadhguru’s discourses with celebrities are highly entertaining, with so many anecdotes. But the reason he gave for rapes in our country, in your interview, is laughable (‘Cool guru’, December 6).
He threw the blame on uneducated immigrant workers in cities who drink alcohol and see bad films. What about multi-millionaires and spiritual gurus who are caught and booked for rapes? And, if Sadhguru thinks that popular films are the cause of bad influence on common people, then why is he inviting film actors, who are producing and promoting such bad films, to be a part of his talk shows?
Sadhguru said, “It is a tremendous thing that still, in every village in India, a woman is seen as worship-worthy.” May I know, Sadhguru, what kind of respect an average woman gets in our villages?
K.L. Prasad,
On email.