Summer festival
I understand that the crowd response for this year’s annual summer festival and flower show at Yercaud was not as expected.
This was mainly due to the holding of the festival after the re-opening of the educational institutions. Every year, this festival is held in May, when the schools remain closed. The district authorities could have held the festival by the last week of May itself, instead of postponing the same to July.
I request the authorities to ensure that the annual summer festival is conducted positively in May every year.
P. Janarthanan,
Salem.
Old age pension
It is disturbing to note that a large number of senior citizens approach the district authorities with applications for old age pension.
This only showed the penury prevailing in the villages.
The old age pension of Rs. 1,000 per month is very much helpful to these old people. The government should take a lenient view and try to clear the applications of all the eligible senior citizens without any delay.
S. Kasthuribai,
Salem.
New amenities at railway station needed
The statement of the present Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, that the extension of passenger trains up to Salem Town Railway Station will not be considered at present for want of proper passenger amenities is very much disappointing.
The former DRM Shubhranshu had only a few months ago said that steps will be taken to extend the passenger trains such as Salem – Bengaluru passenger to the Salem Town Railway Station. The divisional railway authorities should take effective steps to create passenger amenities in Salem Town Railway Station. Operating the passenger trains from Salem Town Railway Station will immensely benefit a large number of commuters, who otherwise have to pay much to the autos for reaching Salem Railway Junction.
R. Kanmani,
Salem.
Proposed
railway strike
The proposed strike by the railway trade unions from July 11 will affect all sections of society to a big extent. The railway trade unions should hold negotiations with the Railway Ministry to get their grievances solved instead of resorting to strikes which will affect the normal life of the people. The trade unions should think about the hardship the people will be facing due to the non- running of trains and reconsider their decision to go on strike. Moreover, the Railway Ministry too should come forward to concede the just demands of the railway employees.
S. Fazil Shariq,
Omalur.
No lights in market
A large number of consumers and farmers visit the Uzhavar Santhai at Suramangalam in Salem city every day.
This market starts functioning from 4 a.m. itself. But there are no adequate lighting arrangements in the market. The farmers who have put up stalls have to switch on battery lights for marketing their vegetables and fruits in the darkness. Proper lighting arrangements should be made in the uzhavar santhai and also the fused bulbs in the existing lamp posts should be replaced.
M. Panneerselvam,
Salem
Refrain from boycotts
It is sad that once again the judicial officers and advocates are on a war path over the recent amendments.
The Bar associations in many districts have announced court boycott by advocates.
This decision will only affect the litigant public to a very big extent.
The advocates should refrain from such court boycotts.
S. Sigamani,
Salem.
Health hazard
The Thammampatti town panchayat removes garbage on alternate days. Due to this, all the dustbins kept in the residential localities, street corners, roadsides overflow every day, posing a health hazard to the local residents.
request the Thammampatti Town Panchayat to take steps for placing big dustbins in the residential localities.
K. Rajaram,
Thammampatti.
Repair water taps
A majority of the public drinking water taps in the old bus stand in Salem city are supplying water to the commuters.
The Salem Corporation should take effective steps to renovate all the water taps and ensure adequate supply of drinking water.
S. Kadiresan,
Salem.
Sapling planting campaigns
The decision of the forest department to plant more than three lakh saplings in Namakkal district during the current year is a welcome move.
The local public should extend a helping hand to the forest department in achieving this target.
The students of colleges and schools could play a lead role in organising mass sapling planting campaigns. The forest officials should ensure that the planted saplings are properly protected till they become trees.
G. Bagirathi,
Namakkal.
Helmet rule violated
I welcome the decision of the Salem City Police to strictly implement the helmet rule among the two-wheeler riders in the city limits.
It is disappointing that still a large number of two-wheelers ride their vehicles without using the helmets. They should understand that helmets will save their lives and should extend their cooperation to the city police.
S. Fayaz Basha,
Salem.
More over bridges needed
The ward members of Erode Municipal Corporation have announced nearby villages of Lakkapuram, 46 Pudur, Kalingaroyanpalayam and Mettunasuvampalayam are included in the city limit. We convey gratitude to them. Erode is the seventh largest city in Tamil Nadu. However, the majority of roads of Erode Corporation are narrow. More and more number of vehicles is occupied in this road. There is no over bridge in this city. I, therefore, request the corporation to construct over bridges in the main area of R.K.V. Road, E.V.N. Road, Brough Road, Sathy Road, Perundurai Road, Mettur Road and Poondurai Road.
M.R. Lakshiminarayanan,
Kakkaveri Post,
Rasipuram.
Learn to live
with animals
The Majestic Madukkarai Maharaj is no more. Wildlife activist say that overdose of sedative had caused the death of the elephant.
The elephant used to cross Palakkad Road near Madukkarai a number of times giving way to the public.
We have lost so many wild animals in the past few years in Gudalur, Pandalur, Ooty and Kotagiri. We have to learn to live with animals.
H.M. D’Rozario,
Coimbatore.
(Readers can mail letters to cbereaders@thehindu.
co.in with address and phone number)
