Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Vanishing people

Sir, — This refers to `Vanishing people, vanishing livelihoods' by Bahar Dutt ( Magazine, July, 6 ) on the nomads of Rajasthan.

It is rightly pointed out that mobility is central to the very nature of the profession of nomads, which has incapacitated them to reflect their strength in the electoral process by not being able to vote. It is disappointing that the well-being of nomads was grossly neglected for decades by the Government.

The author is right in saying that it is illogical and pointless to offer nomads health, education or homes without addressing their livelihood needs. Nomads who eke out their living on various trades will end up as agricultural labourers or construction workers unless timely measures are taken.

A joint enterprise by policy-makers, sociologists and NGOs can bring hope to the lives of nomads who constitute about seven per cent of the population in our country.

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,
Cuddapah, A.P.

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