A mirage called tinseltown

THIS refers to Ashwini Bhatnagar’s article: ‘‘Les Beautiful. Les Miserables’’ (September 25). We get an inside look into the world of glamour which lures many innocent young boys and girls and leads to their moral ruin. The writer paints the picture of our film industry (Bollywood) and describes how it mesmerises young minds. — ‘‘One of the days of your life you are passing by and at a distance you see this beautiful woman who you think was looking at you with inviting eyes.

It is a sad tale of how young people are exploited, both mentally and physically. ‘‘Director Sahib, if she comes to you for a role, extract your pound of flesh’’ — these words reveal it all. It is total submission by young aspirants who, in a bid to realise their dreams, are all sold out to glamour and are ready to do anything.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Ludhiana

Female foeticide

Renee Ranchan, in her article "When life is nipped in the bud", (September 25) has dwelt on the declining female sex ratio in Punjab; a phenomenon the writer has attributed to female foeticide. Times are now fast changing. Many of the reasons why girls were unacceptable to society no longer exist. The preference of would-be parents for daughters is manifest amongst the educated. With improvement in literacy levels in rural areas, such attitudes are bound to gain strength and the bias against women will disappear in the days to come.

SURINDER KUMAR MARWAHA
New Delhi

II

It is shocking to observe that, in their quest for a son, parents kill their daughter even before she is born.

As and when it is confirmed that woman is carrying a female foetus, it is aborted by a doctor with the consent of the parents.

As a result of such practices, the male female ratio has become very unfavourable. Even in Punjab, which is a prosperous state, the ratio is 793 females to 1000 males. This is the reason that crimes against women are rising.

Even mothers show a preference for their sons and treat their daughters in a step-motherly way. Parents must start treating their daughter at par with their sons.

SUBHASH C. TANEJA
Rohtak

Political humour

Apropos of Pramod Sangar’s write-up "The fine art of political humour" September 25) much that great writers, columnists, general public and eminent politicians have said and written on politics and politicians is humorous.

A doctor says — "I can judge a man from what he eats. If he eats his words, he is a politician.

In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.

A politician will do anything to keep his job, even become a patriot.

The world is weary of statemen whom democracy has degraded into politicians.

An inscription on a tomb stone: "Here lies an honest man, a politician". "What! Two persons in the same grave!" exclaimed an onlooker.

After the election result was announced, a politician phoned his wife and said "good news, I have been elected". "Honestly?" she asked. "Now why go into that?" the politician husband retorted.

In an election year, the politicians run and the tax payers sweat.

Political propaganda — 70 per cent lies and 30 per cent cries.

Politician’s promise: He promises to build a bridge even if there is no river.

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad.

Khushwant Singh

Khushwant Singh’s column "This above all" makes interesting, informative and amusing reading. The jokes at the end of the article are also very interesting.

The humourous characters Santa and Banta, show that Kushwant Singh is capable of creating funny characters. The language he uses is excellent. The flow of his writing is spontaneous and natural. Sometimes one can even identify oneself with a character that he has written about.

Another advantage of Khushwant Singh’s writing is that he writes about some little-known but extremely capable people.

UJAGAR SINGH
Chandigarh