During the past few months, ghastly murders have become common in Tirunelveli district. Caste bias, illegal relationship, previous enmity and revenge are some of the causes for the machete culture. The police become helpless in spite of their vigilant watch. Tirunelveli is noted for not only halwa but also for educational institutions and renowned places of worship. Yet, it is unfortunate that the ‘aruval culture’ predominates, causing a shame to the education, amalgamated with religious values, imparted in schools and colleges, indicating that there is something fundamentally wrong. It is high time academicians, religious heads, officers, police and caste leaders sat together to find out a solution for harmonious living.
J. Baby Barlin,
Palayamkottai.
Remove junk
A children’s park equipped with swinging and sliding equipment has been set up recently on the roadside adjacent to the Palayamkottai main post office. As there is a pavement around the park, it has become walker-friendly and is well utilised by elders, thanks to the Tirunelveli Corporation which took the welcome step. Earlier, this place was a dumping yard for garbage and four-wheelers under litigation confiscated by the nearby police station. Since these vehicles had become unusable, the authorities had pushed them with the help of a bulldozer further towards the post office along with the garbage into a heap. The heap has now become a dwelling place for snakes and poisonous insects. In addition, it spoils the cleanliness and good look of the area where a post office, a police station and residential buildings are situated. I request the corporation authorities to remove the junk and make use of the place for some public utility purpose.
E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai.
Golden opportunity
The decision of the Indian Coast Guard to recruit 500 persons from the fishermen community is wise and intelligent. Fishermen from the five coastal districts are very well accustomed to chill weather, roaring waves and all natural calamities. Hence, they can discharge their duty without any fear. I request the officials concerned to relax the rules to accommodate as many coastal youth as possible. The coastal youth also should come forward to accept this golden opportunity.
S. J. Sylvestine,
Koottapuly.
Protect waterbodies
Kanyakumari district has 53 canals, a few rivers and 2,623 irrigation tanks through which water from five reservoirs is distributed for irrigation. Though the district enjoys adequate rainfall, it has been labelled as ‘water-starved.’ Silt and encroachment in waterbodies are the major reasons for paucity of water for irrigation. Desilting of tanks and rivers has become a thing of the past and tanks have been converted into illegal dwelling places. The ill-effects of indiscriminate and unmindful encroachment are severe and deep rooted. This unlawful practice has shrunk the rivers as canals, canals as streams and tanks as pools. This situation forces the farmers to give up cultivation or sell their lands to realtors. Will the authorities take steps to protect the waterbodies to save farming in this tiny district?
B. Nagalingam Pillai,
Thazhakudy.
Tips for students
This has reference to the news report, 'Plus Two exams commence amidst strict vigil' ( The Hindu , March 6, 2015) The Plus Two examinations are going on now and the SSLC examinations will commence from March 19. During the examination time, students will be put to great mental stress and strain as they will be exerting much to score high marks. In this connection, I wish to state that the role of parents during this crucial hour is more important. They should advise the students not to worry too much about scoring high marks. Some schools conduct mass prayers and yoga and meditation classes for students. This will help them in facing the examinations with confidence. During the exam days, parents should see that their sons and daughters take balanced diet and home-cooked food. Burning the midnight oil may help to some extent but during examination time it is better to study for limited hours so that they can feel fresh the next day and will not suffer fatigue in the examination hall.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli.
Auto fare
The State government revised the auto fare last year as per a High Court direction. To implement the order, RTOs insist on auto drivers to install metres and charge metered rate. In practice, many auto drivers have fixed metres but charge the passengers as per their wish. Auto drivers form a cartel and exploit the public. The government should insist that the autos should have ‘Metre Charge’ instead of ‘Metre Auto’ written on them. This will help the passengers in paying metered fare only. Prepaid auto system may be started in bus stands and railway stations in all towns to help the travelling public.
K. Ganeshan,
Tuticorin.
Emergency exit
This has reference to the news item, ‘Miraculous escape for bus passengers’ ( The Hindu , March 9, 2015). The exemplary way in which the crew faced the emergency and enabled the passengers to escape wins our hearts. I record my appreciation as well as request the SETC to honour the driver in a suitable manner. The sad point is that the emergency door could not be opened when the bus caught fire. Checking the emergency exit comes under predictive maintenance. It means that it is equal to checking the braking system of the vehicle every day. The SETC shall inculcate this habit among the crew at the earliest. Secondly, the present manual system of opening the emergency exit should be replaced by a motor-operated mechanism so that the driver can open it by flicking a switch.
J. Edison Devakaram,
Tuticorin.
Cursive writing
I recently chanced to function as hall supervisor/invigilator for Plus Two examinations. In a particular hall, students from both Matriculation and government schools were present almost in equal strength. On the day of English Language paper I, even a cursory look at the answer scripts revealed the fact that children from Matriculation schools maintained a high order of cursive writing with concomitant speed. These children have been well trained in the art of cursive writing, right from the beginning. Nowadays, one could find private institutions training children and adults in cursive as well as speed writing at an exorbitant fee structure. Therefore, it would be fair on the part of teachers of government schools to train their children in cursive writing. Moreover, training to teachers working in primary and middle schools may be imparted through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.
G. Nataraja Perumal,
Elathur.
