This is with reference to the news report ‘MSEDCL trench leaves youth in coma’ (PM, June 8).  The MSEDCL executive engineer’s statement, “We thought he must have recovered,” is just another example of the irresponsible attitude the authorities have and the sheer apathy they have towards the lives of others. Had it been his kin, he would never have made such a statement. Was it not his responsibility along with the contractor to monitor the health of young Vyankatesh? Why wait till the plight of the victim is highlighted by the media? We are sure, the higher authorities will agree to compensate for the mistake immediately without delay. This may bring some relief to his mother. 

-  S N Saroja

  Kudos to the NE law 

The new law introduced by the Indian Government providing a five-year imprisonment for anyone using the derogatory term ‘Chinky’ against people of the North-Eastern region is a welcome move. I hope similar laws will be passed by the respective Northeast State governments to protect non-tribals living in their states against derogatory and racist local slangs that are used towards them by the native populace.

-  Kim Jong

  Irrelevent questions 

Irrelevant  questions asked of medical students during viva (PM, May 15) goes a long way back. I am certain many of us even today do not know the reason why examiners indulged, and still do, in such activities if only to derive some sort of sadistic pleasure out of it. I’m sure some students have been failed due to these questions.
 
Female students often get the raw end of the deal in vivas and no one ever complains as they have to face the same examiners for the next couple of years. There are even questions like the length of vessels in the body, the weight of organs which are covered partially by the hand and many others as per the moods and whims of the examiner. Our  future medicos should come together and protest.

- Dr Rajan Datar

  Wanowrie woes 

For several months now, the condition of the footpath along Oxford Village housing complex has deteriorated. The cement compounds around the trees are crumbling and there are HT cables lying around. A red junction box as a lavatory for occasional ‘visitors’. 

-  V H Karmakar

  Hinjewadi traffic problems 

I travel to and from the Hinjewadi IT Park daily and am really frustrated with the traffic situation. We spend 60-90 minutes each way, which I think can be vastly reduced by proper management and implementation of traffic rules. Additional government buses need to be provided as well as more parking space for vehicles. Car pooling needs to be encouraged so that the current scenario of one person travelling alone in an SUV is reduced. Needless to say the Metro would be a real blessing, but there’s a long way to go for that.

-   Anujit Thuse