Inadequate lighting
I have been residing in Ramavarmapuram for the past 10 years. A section of the National Highway that connects Kanniyakumari with Thiruvananthapuram passes through this area. This section - between Kottar and Parvathipuram - is used mostly by two-wheeler riders. Traffic congestion in this stretch is heavy and there is inadequate lighting, because of which two-wheeler riders find it difficult to use it at night. I want the authorities to initiate action to provide adequate lighting at the earliest.
D. Premkumar,
Nagercoil.
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Noise menace
The noise created by loudspeakers used in social events disturbs peace. Noise is injurious to health, Bursting of crackers adds to the menace. This practice is not confined to any section of society but is prevalent among all. Community leaders should educate their followers about the ill-effects of noise pollution.
S. Parthasarathy,
Tirunelveli
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V. O. C. ground
Perhaps, V. O. C. ground at Palayamcottai is the only place where people gather everyday to relax. It is also a walkers' paradise, especially for senior citizens and women. But the conditions prevailing in the ground cause concern. Many youngsters use it to play cricket, especially in the evening. During weekends and on public holidays, cricket is played throughout the day. Elderly people who come for a walk and children playing nearby are hit by the cricket ball. There are frequent quarrels between teams, mostly involving students. Youth ride two-wheelers along the pavement meant for walking. Adding to the above woes are encroachment by hawkers selling eatables with least regard to hygiene. Playing cricket and cycling are banned at the ground near a school at Maharaja Nagar. There is also a board that warns against causing disturbance to walkers. The Tirunelveli Corporation can follow this in V. O. C. ground also.
A. M. N. Pandian,
Tirunelveli
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Kudos to Vannadasan
Eminent Tamil writer Vannadasan was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi award in New Delhi on February 22 for his book 'Oru Siru Isai.' The striking point is that both father and son have won the same award. Vannadasan's father Late T. G. Sivasankaran (Thi. Ka. Si.), a noted critic and writer, won the Sahitya Akademi award in 2000. Two persons belonging to the same family bagging the award is the rarest of rare events. Tirunelveli is the birthplace of these literary legends. Kudos to Vannadasan
G. Purushothaman,
Tirunelveli
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Basic amenities
There are six train services between Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur every day and 11 railway stations in between. Palayamkottai railway station, next to Tirunelveli, is utilised by students, office-goers and business people to board or alight from Tiruchendur trains. But the station has poor infrastructure. It has a pretty old building built during the British Raj to house the ticket counter and Station Master’s office. Polythene sheets have been spread over its tiled roof to protect it from heat and rain. There is no passenger shelter on the long platform where a few cement benches have been provided. Passengers waiting on the platform find it very difficult during mid-day. I remember big neem trees providing shade to passengers some fifty years back. Now there is no tree along the platform and I did not find any drinking water facility when I visited the station recently. The restroom found on the western side was under lock and key. Passengers take shelter at the main entrance of the railway station. If such is the case with Palayamkottai railway station, I need not speak about small stations along the route. I request the railway authorities to provide basic amenities in Palayamkottai railway station and other small stations.
Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai
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Drinking water
Most of the habitations in Tamil Nadu are reeling under scarcity of drinking water. It is pitiable to see people waiting for water with empty pots in streets. The government should give topmost priority for drinking water supply. Corporations, municipalities and panchayat unions should engage vehicles to supply potable water to the needy on a war footing.
K. Chelliah,
Aundivilai.
(EOM)
