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LETTERS
 Playing
A Dirty Game
"With the mud slinging and public washing
of dirty linen by sportspersons and politicians, the Arjuna Awards ought
to be renamed the 'Duryodhan Awards'."
—Jinu
Mathew, on e-mail
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e-mail your letters to: letters.editor@intoday.com
or fax them to: 011-3316180
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The Broken Run
Your cover story has exposed the darker and
gloomier side of the state of Indian sports ("Prize and Prejudice",
September 3). The Arjuna Award, once the pride and dream of Indian sportspersons,
has now been reduced to a farce thanks to political lobbying and corruption.
What is equally disheartening is the plight of past Arjuna winners who
are forced to sell their trophies for survival.
—Rohit Bhandiye, Panaji
It is a shame that in our country recognition
doesn't come on its own for the deserving-it depends on one's ability
to pull the right strings.
—K. BALARAMAKRISHNAN, Chennai
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Sleeping with the Enemy
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The
custom of sharing brides among the Gurjjars in Rajasthan is nothing
but prostitution in the garb of marriage ("Family Bride, September
3). I am convinced that the women hardly have any choice in this
matter though your report seems to suggest that they are quite happy
as they are freed from doing household chores. It is preposterous
and utterly shameful.
—JAYATI MANDAL, on
e-mail
The story of the Gurjjars' dearth of females
calls for an introspection into our demographic guidelines and the
rules by which we dilineate our population parameters. It brings
to mind the vulnerability of another ethnic group which is on the
brink of extinction-the Great Andamanese.
— J. Mathew, on e-mail
The story offers a lesson to all those who believe
in a patriarchal society: indulge in female infanticide and foeticide
and pay the price.
— Aruna Saxena, Pune
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Milkha Singh's decision to decline the Arjuna
Award is not justified. It is, after all, a national honour. But I'd also
like to add that the complaints aired by him and a few others cannot be
ignored. If the country's best prize for sportspersons is awarded to people
unworthy of it, upcoming sportspersons cannot be motivated to perform
well in the international arena. I suggest that a rule be made that any
person whose name is being considered for the award should have at least
one international medal to his name. Secondly, the number of Arjuna Awards
given per year should be reduced. Only then can its value be restored.
—Lokesh Thakur, Shimla
Arjuna was a warrior and even the Arjuna Award
emblem depicts him taking aim with his bow and arrow. I, therefore, find
it disgraceful that this award is not associated with soldiers but with
sportspersons.
Lt-Col (retd) R. Nandkeolyar, Lucknow
Not Guilty
I find it distressing
that you are trying to denounce the means adopted by Tehelka ("The
Truth Uncovered", September 3). Your report smacks of double standards
because the means to unearth misdoings at the top echelons cannot always
be above board but that does not mean we try to stop the pursuit of truth.
Besides, such unconventional means are adopted by many media houses for
exposes. Moreover, it diverts attention from the main issue: corruption
in high places. Why is there an urgency to launch criminal proceedings
against the Tehelka team when there's a greater urgency to book the bribe-takers?
—Dr R.N. Trivedi, Kanpur
In A Different Context
Your article on
George Fernandes and his reinduction into the government is regrettable
("Doghouse Woes", September 10). In describing his exclusion
from the Government Fernandes has been quoted as saying that "it
is a grave injustice to me" when his actual statement was that a
question pertaining to his inclusion in the Cabinet was an injustice.
Besides, the NDA has made no complaint about the slow progress of the
Justice Venkatswami Commission. It is unfair to say that the sp is "griping"
about delays in proceedings of the Commission.
—Dr Shambhu Shrivastwa, General Secretary,
Samata Party
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