What They Said

I'm herewith sending a cheque for `10,000/-. You are doing an excellent job. Please keep it up.         -Prof. (Dr.) M. Shantharam Shetty, Pro Chancellor, Nitte University

Sir, Thanks for the time taken to write, so also for your supportive views, your contribution of `10,000/-, we will take it as Permanent Membership. Thanks for the participation and the trust reposed in I&C.                                                                                                            -Editor 

‘Irrelevance of State and Civil Society' (Focus- I&C Feb.17)-  There could only have been only a large mound of earth built up by the continuous flow of the Ganges river over millions of years, which was cut through by just one man named Dashrat Manjhi, which also was a herculean task which no doubt is "Incredible" like what you said. 

Personally going by the topography of the region, however, I feel the story has been exaggerated.                                                                                                                     -Capt. H. Vas, Via Email

Your article (I&C Feb.17) ‘Irrelevance of State and Civil Society- The story of Dashrat Manji’ made an incredibly fantastic reading. I have been reading ISSUES&CONCERNS for more than ten years; this focus is the truest, when it comes to Issues of Concerns. It is indeed the best issue that I&C has taken-up, which comprehensively exposed the double standard of both our governments- be it central or state as well as the civil society.  Naam Bade Darshan Khote. While the governmental mental poverty may be excused for its sheer incompetence to measure up to people’s expectation, the failure of people like Aamir Khan and Ketan Mehta is simply unexceptionable. They helped themselves to crores of rupees by using the brand image of Dashrat Manji, but let him and family completely down by conveniently forgetting to keep their promises. Your description of “an ungrateful government, insensitive bureaucracy and moron political class” describes the disgust one would naturally have, on the scale of sheer injustice that was meted out Dashrat Manji.                                                        -SM Suvarna, Udupi. 

Your focus story of Dashrat Manjhi (I&C Feb.). What an excellent comparison! Though I have heard Dashrat Manjhi’s story, I was a bit confused while reading the focus that you compared his story with TajMahal. It dawned on me as I&C unfolded his story, as the best comparison. 

This is what we call as “living for others” – the man who lost his wife, his youth, his life but broke the mountain and made a way, so that his people would not have to face the same plight like that of his wife, in future. Ultimately what the society gives to such people? There are so many personalities that come before us when thinking about sacrificing oneself for the sake of the society. What importance has been given to them? Who cares? 

Even what do we do? We read about such people. Keep him in our thoughts for a few days and get busy with our own personal issues. So this attitude cannot be changed. Many things strike us here but our attitude towards society remains unchanged. We show sympathy, and keep quiet. 

If Newton hadn’t been born, the law of gravitation would have remained all the same, unknown. It was his genius that discovered it. Likewise this Manjhi, if not him no one would dare even to touch the mountain. People like Manjhi remain as a brilliant example to our society for their sacrifice. He is an inspiration to all of us. That’s it. 

 -Chaithra Padukone, Nitte, Via- Email