Tragic waste of time 

This is with reference to the news report ‘Bhopal gas leak waste to be disposed of in Germany’ (PM, June 10). It has taken 27 long years, so much of death and disability to come to the conclusion to airlift the toxic waste to Germany. It wouldn’t be a surprise if another year goes by to complete the process.
 
As the volunteer groups have said, this is only a partial solution which has come after 27 years. Will another 27 go by before a final solution is reached? Do we laugh at ourselves,  or cry at our tragedy?

- Preeti Nagraj

  For the love of reading 

Apropos the news report ‘Book Keeping’ (PM, June 10), In this age of ebooks, it is really heartening to know that we have a handful of individuals in this city who have a lovingly chosen collection of books.

The pleasure in reading a book while actually holding it cannot be compared to reading an ebooks or using a Kindle. However, with laptops and iPods gaining entry to schools, homes and colleges we are hard-pressed d to find those with a genuine love for books and reading.

Yet, I know of many Puneites who have been living in the city for 30-40 years and who were disheartened when Manneys bookstore downed its shutters. Hats off to those who own a library of their own.

- S N Saroja

  Textbooks and tolerance 

With reference to ‘Parents get their Act together’ (PM, June 11), I was glad to read how determined many of the Parents Associations are to welcome children from economically challenged backgrounds into the same schools in which their own children study.

One thing I feel our classrooms sorely lack today is practical tolerance. There are textbooks preaching lessons, but rarely are children encouraged to practice basic kindess or respect. I feel if this is implemented at school-level, students will be more receptive. The RTE Act may just hold the key to major change.

- Arunima Patnaik

While an all-inclusive classroom is a nice idea, but to put it in practice is not easy. Students who have always led privileged lives won’t find it easy to accept those from a different background, while students admitted under the RTE may face ridicule which will impact their self-esteem.

This decision needs to be thought through instead of basing it on an idealogy and expecting it to work according to plan. I hope the concerned officials take steps to secure these students’ future.

- Rushabh K

  Unlucky thieves 

It was funny reading about the thieves who went to so much trouble and then managed to steal only Rs 500 ‘Rs 500 is all these unlucky thieves get’ (PM, June 11). These thieves actually borrowed a friend’s car and went to rob the house, only to be thwarted by a noise they apparently heard.

They probably spent more on tanking up the car, given current petrol prices. What a waste of all that effort.

- Neville D’Souza