Eye opener 

This refers to ‘Harvested interests’, (PM, August 6). The report should open the eyes of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials as well as the public at large to the inevitable necessity of starting rainwater harvesting in order to meet the burgeoning demand for water.
 
We almost reached a crisis situation this year. Fortunately, we were saved in time by the rain gods. But, things are back to square one and we are again forgetting to plan for a crisis in the future. The PMC was one of the first municipal bodies to envisage a programme for rainwater harvesting.
 
We can learn from Chennai which out of necessity implemented rainwater harvesting for a new building a decade ago. Pune is expanding at a tremendous pace and it is bound to put a strain on all our resources. Let us put our men and machines to work.

- K V Menon

  Milk bank won’t work 

This is with reference to ‘Few takers, donors for milk bank’, (PM, August 6). Having a milk bank is not a solution and women won’t understand the importance of breastfeeding unless they are educated about its benefits as well as consequences of not adhering to the norm.

It has become a style statement of sorts to wean a newborn much earlier on compared to the past. While some women prefer work over nursing their babies, some refuse to breastfeed their babies to avoid the ‘after effects’ of delivery.

Following the doctor’s advice is not a big deal, yet some tend to ignore it and come up with excuses. Doctors have been advocating the cause relentlessly but now the time has come for organisations working for women to step in and promote breastfeeding. Observing a day, week or a year for the cause won’t help the situation much.

- Rajan Datar

It’s appalling to know that in the 21st century people haven’t moved on and women are reluctant to feed their babies with other women’s breastmilk.

- Radha Vasishat

  Being humane 

This refers to ‘Going to the dogs’, (PM, August 6). I wasn’t surprised and such an act was expected as people were outraged after the tragic incident of mauling of five-year-old Ramakant Dalvi in Satara.
 
But as human beings, residents shouldn’t have resorted to poisoning strays. Instead, there are better and more humane ways to check the dog population. The authorities should take constructive measures.

- C V Narayanan

The gruesome killing of little Ramakant Dalvi was tragic, but what people of Satara are doing is worse. Nobody knows what instigated the dogs.

A dog is a man’s best friend, but that doesn’t alter the animal’s basic instinct. I’m sure their hunger must have forced them to target the child. People can’t hold the dogs guilty of murder. In fact, they should be booked for illegally culling the canines.

- Muzammil Hussain