One should never say die

WITH reference to the article "Never say die" by Taru Bahl (January 23), any attempt at suicide as a cowardly act. It amounts to "self-murder". Does any one have a right to take his or her own life? Certainly not. An attempted suicide, according to Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, is punishable by simple imprisonment of up to one year.

Why should one allow death instinct to triumph over one’s life instinct? "Suicide" cannot be a remedy for one’s failures to overcome one’s social, medical, health, economic or religious problems. One who commits suicide leaves behind a social stigma for his kith and kin which they are unable to get rid of for years to come. For those who have a tendency to react more violently to stressful events, "spiritual nourishment" is the answer. They must be made to find peace and tranquility of mind by reading, listening or reciting to the messages of holy books. I agree with the writer that the support system for people with suicidal tendencies need to be strengthened.

The family and friends must provide sensitivity, empathy and emotional support to such people. The writer has highlighted that the suicide graph shows two peaks — first in the adolescence or early adulthood and the second during old age.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Ludhiana

II

My niece too committed suicide. I sincerely feel that if a teacher, friend, cousin or some family member lends a sympathetic ear or senses the depressed person’s state of anguish and hopelessness, a life can be saved.

SANTOKH SINGH
Chandigarh

III

Suicide is nothing but an escapist attitude towards life. It is true that due to widening of gap between achievements and expectations, frustrations in life are sure to surface. Other factors such as unemployment, failure in love affairs, financial strains, marital disharmony, underpaid jobs, failure in exam and prolonged illness are also responsible for impelling some persons to tread this path.

Only by altering our attitude towards life, can we make life worth living. We should remember that bad days are never permanent. Many a time, adverse circumstances prove stepping stones for prosperity. Problems can be solved with a cool mind. If circumstances can’t be changed, one should change oneself, according to circumstances.

Even in nature, the skin of animals who don’t have a backbone becomes hard. Similarly if we are deprived of a thing we should shift towards its alternative.

ANUP K. GAKKHAR
Jalandhar

IV

There are six basic fears from which every human being suffers at one time another. These are:

The fear of examinations; the fear of poverty; the fear of ill health; the fear of loss of some near and dear ones; the fear of old age; and the fear of death.

Fears are nothing more than states of mind. Any of these fears may paralyse the faculty of reason, destroy the faculty of imagination, kill self-reliance, discourage initiative, lead to uncertainty of purpose, wipe out enthusiasm and make self-control impossible.

It can take the charm away from one’s personality, destroy the possibility of accurate thinking, turn will-power into nothingness, becloud the memory and invite failure in every sphere; it may discourage friendship and invite disaster in hundred forms and lead to sleeplessness, misery, unhappiness and ultimately, suicide.

In all these different forms of mental illness vis-a-vis basic fear(s) it is most important to develop a happy outlook into life. Things cannot go the way we would like them. We still have much to be thankful for, inspite of occasional set-backs. The thorns of disappointment are often accompanied by roses of opportunity and challenge. So let us dwell on the happier side of life. A spirit of gratitude can do much to restore both mind and body vis-a-vis any of these fears.

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

A dream gone sour

This refers to the article "A dream gone sour" by Nonika Singh (January 9). The pathetic condition of industry, not only in Mohali but throughout India, can be attributed to poor management. Bureaucrats and politicians have added to the miseries of Indian industry.

There are three kinds of managements. The first category is of those who make things happen; the second one sees things happen and third category wonders what happened. The management in the sick companies belongs to the third category. They lack innovation, are indecisive, inactive and lack initiative.

It is useless to blame liberalisation or any other factor in order to justify our failure. Let every person in the organisation work sincerely in case he wants to remain in the organisation. The management should recognise the fact that if it is not proactive in giving quality goods and services today, somebody else will certainly fulfil the aspirations of customers and take away the market share.

So if we want a loyal customer who always buys our brand; we will first have to be loyal to our customers.

MUNISH BAHL
Panchkula

Triumphs and travails

This refers to the article "The triumphs and travails of Indians in UK (January 23) by Reeta Sharma. It is a matter of pride to know that Indians have earned much name and fame in Britain. Since long India has been known as a religious and peace loving nation — a fact that distinguishes India from many other countries.

That there are 192 elected Indian councillors and mayors in England itself reveals that Indians have a reputation of being honest and hard-working.

Not only in England do the Indians have such a reputation, but in other countries also. My uncle, who lives in Australia with his family, comes to India occasionally. My cousin considers himself a Hindu and worships Hindu gods and goddesses. One thing he likes about Indians the most is their religious nature.

Indians who commit ghastly crimes abroad are a black spot on the name of our country. They create problems for those who are aspiring to go to Britain.

It is, indeed, commendable on the part of some Indians, living in England, who are trying to keep their children rooted to their origin. Only this can save India its centuries’ old name.

KARAN GUPTA
Chandigarh