The undertaker of Panchgani 

Hats off to Mirror for bringing to light the courageous acts of a common man, Mukund Bhimrao Magar, in ‘The undertaker of Panchgani’ (PM, July 23). His unique and relentless effort to provide decent last rites to 335 bodies in the last 14 years is truly commendable.
 
A man with limited means, a large heart and determination to carry on this noble cause deserves all the praise we can offer in addition to monetary help from the people of Panchgani and other parts of the country.

The unhelpful attitude of the Municipal Council of Panchgani, however, is difficult to understand. Its chairperson, while acknowledging and appreciating the good work done by Magar, is unwilling to provide financial help just because “he is dealing with the dead bodies of outsiders”.

It is a most uncharitable remark from the head of a local body and deserves condemnation from locals who should force the Council to change its stance.

- Yash P Verma

•    All citizens of India should salute Mukund Magar for his unusual yet great philanthropic work at Panchgani. It is strange that the people of Panchgani are so apathetic about helping him.

They need not physically help out, but they can substantiate his efforts with funds. We all have the right to last rites from our kith and kin, so if someone lacks the funding or is neglected by society even after death, their bodies deserve proper disposal.

The authorities should understand the importance of it since decomposing bodies would also be a health hazard. Our hearty thanks to Good Samaritan Mukund Magar once again.

- M Ganeshan

•    These days, when we are constantly peppered with horror stories all over the media, your report on Mukund Magar was truly appreciated. Bringing unrecognised do-gooders to public view is a reminder that there are decent people out there, among all the crooks.

But for Mirror’s report, people might never have known of the meritorious and selfless service of Mukund Magar and how he is being(ill)treated by the local municipality.

Laxmitai Karadkar, chairperson of the Panchgani Municipal Council should be condemned for lacking in basic humanity for categorising dead bodies as those ‘outsiders’ and ‘insiders.’
 
It is bad enough that the living are constantly discriminated against on the basis of religion and caste, we don’t need to bring the deceased into such shallow categories as well.

- N Jayaram

  Maruti lockout  

It was indeed a tragic turn of events that claimed the life of the Maruti HR Manager (PM, July 20) and eventually led to the lockout of the Manesar plant.

A lockout is always a traumatic experience, a bad dream come true for a manufacturer and the violence associated with this one only made it worse. I hope an early settlement is reached between the management and the union to arrive at an amicable solution.

This will benefit the customers, the management and the employees. I also wish the other injured in the Manesar plant an early recovery.

- S N Saroja