Brinda Karat’s heart-rending essay (“Parched earth, broken promises”, May 2), on the disturbing drought conditions in Maharashtra, reflects what the rest of parched India faces — how the masses of poor people continue to be taken for granted by the powers that be and the shocking apathy towards growing frustration in the farming community. The alarming conditions should be looked into by none other than the Prime Minister himself, who must comprehend the yawning gap between his poll promises and the ugly reality. It is everything but achche din .
S.V. Venugopalan,Chennai
Ms. Karat’s article has given words to the pathetic situation in the Marathwada region, where people are frantically looking for a saviour. It appears as if there is no government to take care of and address the problems of those affected. The situation is equally grim in other parts of the country. Anantapur, for example, has scanty rainfall in normal times. Now, with a drought, the water table is cause for concern. Agriculture is being abandoned by small farmers and many are migrating to the neighbouring States in search of a livelihood. The Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has failed to provide them solutions as there is acute corruption.
A.G. Rajmohan,Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
The nationwide drought is only making the lives of farmers and citizens wretched. It is heart-rending to read about people walking miles to get a small pot of water. Right from Independence the problems of drought and flood management have remained unresolved. With water levels in most reservoirs at historic lows, officials must now use this as an opportunity to desilt and prepare them for a good monsoon, as recent weather forecasts seem to suggest.
H.N. Ramakrishna,Bengaluru
The oppressive drought is a continuing phenomenon, especially in the context of global warming. West Asia and Israel — desert regions — have managed to harness seawater, purify it and use it for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes for a couple of decades. If these countries can harness seawater, why isn’t the Central government taking a cue from these countries? As the Indian peninsula is surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, there are immense possibilities. We should stop harping on a failed monsoon.
G.R. Mony,Thiruvananthapuram
