Bane of mobile phones
Nowadays it is common to see people using mobile phones while driving or walking on roads, unmindful of other road users. Their careless and irresponsible act can cause danger not only to them, but also to others. It is time the authorities take stringent action against such people. Levying spot fines or confiscation of mobile phones seems the only remedy.
J. Andrews,
Devanand Nagar.
Trains flooded
with alm-seekers
There was a time when Indian Railways prominently displayed slogan such as “less luggage, more comfort, make travel a pleasure” in railway stations and rail coaches. The need of the hour seems to be a new slogan “less alms-seekers and fewer vendors will make rail travel a pleasure”. The reason for this odd request is the bitter experience I had during my recent trips from Coimbatore to Salem by Kovai Express and Salem to Coimbatore by West Coast Express. We do have sympathy for them, but such unauthorised activities in running trains cannot be allowed to go un-checked. Passenger safety and security of their belongings can very well be at stake. The Railways have to take some stern action in this regard.
K.D.Viswanaathan,
Thadagam Road
Update telephone numbers
In the absence of latest telephone directory, the public are to dial 197 (telephone number assistance) to enquire the existing correct telephone number. When one rings up 197, they have to encounter the following problems – delay in hearing the voice of the operator, in most cases the number given is an out-dated one, and when you dial the number given, what is heard is “telephone number does not exist”. The telephone department will do well to update the numbers, so that the public are not put to undue and avoidable hardships.
Captain (Retd) K. Vasudevan,
Ram Nagar
Vehicles inside Sandhai
It is irritating to see that that in the “Uzhavar Sandhai”, two-wheelers, autos and mini vans are being allowed to ply all over the marketing area. Being a regular visitor on Sundays (when the rush is heavy,) I find senior citizens, men/women folk face risk of accidents that are not unlikely in such a crowded and cramped area. In fact, these are prohibited areas. Why should they be allowed? My representations at the office there have not produced results. Will the authorities concerned (in the Corporation) visit the area, take stock of the situation and introduce measures in the interests of the public.
D. Rengarajan,
Ram Nagar
Widen road
The Kovaipudur to Perur Road is a very busy road and it connects Perur, Alandurai, Vadavalli, Madukari and Kuniamuthur. A lot of college and school buses ply on in this route. For FC renewal and licence we have to go to the newly opened RTO office located at Kovaipudur. There is heavy traffic during peak hours on this road. The road is in a very bad condition. Adding to this is the frequent curves and speed breakers without proper markings. I request the authorities concerned to widen the road.
M. Balasubramanian,
Kovaipudur
Action needed
This is with reference to the letter “Garbage clearance” that appeared in the Readers’ Mail column on May 24, 2016. I am pained to write that enormous quantity of garbage lies in front of the Girls Higher Secondary School and the Public Library. Same is the case in front of the Boys Higher Secondary School at Asokapuram. The adjoining panchayats namely N.S.N. Palayam and K. Vadamadurai had successfully solved the garbage problem. But the Asokapuram panchayat authorities do not show any interest in timely clearance of garbage.
I also request the organisers to extend the timings of ‘Car-free Sundays’ from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. I also read in the report that children were coming even from Pollachi to take part in the programme. In such a situation, such events can be introduced in other cities in Tamil Nadu, to help reduce pollution.
A. Vellingiri,
NGGO Colony
Single window system for licence
The Regional Transport Office in Coimbatore has opened additional branches to avoid the congestion at one place. This is welcome move and has simplified the procedure. Citizens who wish to to renew the licence are instructed to obtain a NOC from the erstwhile RTO (Main Branch). This causes inconvenience in terms of time. In an era of digitalisation and E-governance, the government must device ways and means to computerise the entire system and make introduce a single window system for the licence. This apart from saving time, travel will also minimise corruption and prevent touts from fleecing the citizens.
Col AE Charles (Retd),
Kuniamuthur
Fleecing by priests
Perur ‘Padithurai’ near Perur temple is famous that people from Coimbatore and also from neighbouring districts in Kerala used to perform their rites to their ancestors. Now the place is so untidy and unhygienic and the environment is not suitable to perform any rites and the priests are demanding exorbitant rates. The district administration and temple authorities should take immediate steps to clean the surroundings and the riverbed and make the place conductive to perform rites and also should take necessary actions against those priests fleecing the devotees by charging exorbitant rates.
I. Sathesh Kumar,
Siddhapudur
Insertion sheets
in ration cards
The inserting of additional sheets in ration cards has been going on for the past five years and the Government is yet to decide in issuing new cards. They should plan at least by six months in advance to issue new cards. Similar is the case of telecom service, BSNL. They are yet to print new directory.
Suresh. R,
Ganapathy.
Tamil as medium
of instruction
The Department of Tamil, Periyar University, deserves praise in its attempt to raise Tamil to international standards. Anyhow, I wish to refer to the jarring note in the suggestion of the chief guest of the seminar, Dr. C. Subramanian, former Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur.
He is reported to have urged the State Government to grant the freebies only to schoolchildren who have Tamil names just as tax concession is provided for films with Tamil titles. I find the comparison of the innocent and mostly poor children in panchayat and government schools with the rich producers of films a bit bizarre and unwarranted.
Raji Vathu,
Erode.
(Readers can mail letters to cbereaders@thehindu.
co.in with address and phone number)
