Casual approach
Sir — Figuring out how to propose puts most lovers in a quandary. Those who can afford extravagant ways to pop the big question may spell the question across the sky. For others, who are looking for more reasonable means, billboards seem to be the preferred canvas of choice for a grand proposal. Recently, a man from Kannauj chose to adorn a hoarding with the words, “Marry me, Aishwarya”, to propose to his beloved. However, he seemingly forgot to take permission from the authorities before using the billboard. His casual disregard for seeking consent makes one worry about his conjugal life.
Sukriti Sen, Calcutta
Political ploy
Sir — The politicisation of the rape and murder at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital is upsetting. In “Streets on fire” (Aug 29), Swapan Dasgupta erroneously says that the incident is an outcome of West Bengal’s “moral decline”. However, is there any Indian state which has not reported a single case of violence against women? In fact, Bengal has consistently fared better than other states in social indicators like women’s safety, inter-caste marriages and so on. Instead of depicting Bengal in a poor light, Dasgupta would do well to introspect on the actions of his own party, which is trying to clinch power in the state on the back of this tragic incident.
Kajal Chatterjee, Calcutta
Sir — In his column, “Streets on fire”, Swapan Dasgupta claims that Muslims in Bengal would not participate in the agitations seeking justice for the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. This is untrue. Muslim men and women have been actively taking part in the protests across the state.
It is unethical of Dasgupta to give a communal colour to this unfortunate incident. Furthermore, it was implicit in his column that the Bharatiya Janata Party is looking to reap political dividends against the ruling Trinamool Congress from the fallout of this incident. The protesters should not let any political party hijack their movement.
Yousuf Iqbal, Calcutta
Sir — The uproar over the rape and murder at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has proved beneficial for the BJP, which has been desperate to dislodge the Mamata Banerjee-led government from Bengal. Swapan Dasgupta argues that the mass demonstrations against the ruling TMC for mishandling the case could well bring about the downfall of the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee. Notably, Banerjee has tried several ways to assuage people’s anger — promising capital punishment for the wrongdoers, for instance — but in vain.
Anthony Henriques, Mumbai
Left out
Sir — It is heartening that the Centre has decided to set up 12 greenfield industrial smart cities across 10 states. This initiative will boost the economy. But the exclusion of Tamil Nadu from the list of states is unfortunate. Tamil Nadu is a major contributor to India’s growth. The exclusion reveals the Centre’s antipathy towards the southern state.
M.C. Vijay Shankar, Chennai
Keep it simple
Sir — The Jargon of the Professions by Kenneth Hudson elucidates that lawyers, doctors and other professionals tend to use jargon in their practices (“At a loss for words’, Aug 25). Jargons used in service agreements is unfortunate. Those signing the documents find it frustrating to read through the lengthy and complicated clauses. The use of jargon is more alarming in hospitals, where people have to sign on paper containing small print in alien terms. Discarding legalese and bureaucratese and the use of simple language should be the norm.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bengaluru
