Women to the fore
“It's a woman's world” made interesting reading. Women characters created by legends such as Gulzar, Bimal Roy and Shyam Benegal portrayed the suffering of women and their will power to stand against the odds. With women remaining glued to the soap operas on TV channels, the focus of newer films has turned to youths of present globalised era who are obsessed with liberal values of the west. Films that seek to aid the process of social, economic and political empowerment of the women are the need of the hour.
M. Jeyaram, Singapore
Though I have not read R. K. Narayan's novel The Guide, I have seen the film “Guide” three times. Therefore I strongly protest against Kankana Basu's article (July, 11) when she writes that “Guide is one of the first films to have an adulterous heroine”. This distorts the story and the heroine's character. In fact the heroine Rosy expresses her joy when she feels liberated from her husband and finds shelter in the company of the Guide.
Prof. B. M. Baliga, Bangalore
Ravi Varma's art
Kudos to Rupika Chawla for bringing out a lavishly illustrated biography of Raja Ravi Varma whose art has survived despite the fact that modern and abstract arts have almost displaced the “realistic art”. (“On the Ravi Varma trail” July 11) Ravi Varma was a class apart and his colour combination was superb and the facial expression of his characters out-standing. Chawla's biography will definitely help the revival of a vanishing art or rather Ravi Varmaism. It will be also an inspiration to budding artists.
P.U. Krishnan, Udhagamandalam
Gender in sports
Kalpana Sharma's article ‘Just let them play' (11 July) was timely and relevant. There is compelling evidence that reflect the relationship between sport participation and social integration and social inclusion of women and girls. Women who participate in sport and physical activity, exhibit higher self-esteem as well as improved self-perception. Organised sports activities helped to enhance girls' sense of agency, self-empowerment and personal freedom. They also allow women and girls access to safe social spaces in which they may exercise control and ownership. Gender equality in sports will lead to gender equality in social space.
Francis Kuriakose, Puducherry
Networking online
Vijay Nagaswami ‘s article on social networking (“Network your own way”, July 11 th ) using Facebook and Twitter was interesting and got me thinking on my own possibly misplaced position in today's high-tech world of social networking. I, as a senior citizen, would speak volumes of the unparalleled beauty of face to face interaction, but most of the younger generation and many of my own age have moved on to embrace the wonders of web-networking. One may compare this with the analogy of disappearance of hand-written letters in favour of e-mail. The change represents the handing over of the communication baton from one generation to another. It is inevitable; let us accept it with grace.
Dr. K.R. Kamath, Mangalore
Social networking steals away much of the time a youth spends on the Internet. The plus points are that one gets lots of information. It has tremendous potential to affect the emotions of humans, change one's self perception and increase anxiety levels. It should not take over our lives as the writer has pointed out.
Dr.G. Rajamohan, Chennai
Saving and spending
P. Shyam's tips to curb the urge to over-spend money (Spending pangs, July 11) made useful reading. But , these are practicable only for prudent consumers, who are a rare breed in the country. The spending pattern of the people is more influenced by ‘snobbery' than anything else. Hence their saving is negligible.
S. Ramakrishnasayee, Ranipet
Noise pollution
Dr. Ravi Ramalingam's caution on exposure to high decibel sounds should be viewed seriously (“High decibel impact”. July 11). While the vuvuzela may pose a problem in South Africa, there is no dearth of “home grown vuvuzelas” in India: earth-moving machines, loud speakers, and motor-cycles. Unfortunately, laws and regulations on noise pollution are rarely enforced. Our public and media have never raised their voices against noise pollution loud enough to make a significant impact.
Harish Murari, Mangalore
