Sunday, October 7, 2001		Feedback

APROPOS of Prerana Trehan’s thought-provoking article "Money makes happiness grow" (September 23). Undoubtedly, in the present-day society money is a measurable yardstick of worldly success. But then why are people reproached for wanting money above all things and for loving it more than anything else? Our culture and tradition teaches us that the acquisition of wealth is useless unless we know how to use it properly. This is an art that requires wisdom. Two things are important — one to earn money and the second to utilise it in the best way.

P.L. SETHI
Patiala

The importance of money in the present-day society cannot be overemphasised. Money camouflages even the drawbacks in a person. In India people spend their whole lives trying to save enough for a rainy day. Gone are the days when an individual used to be bother about the higher values of life. Today money is the prime consideration.

HAR KULDIP SINGH BHATIA
Jalandhar

There is absolutely no doubt that money makes the mare go, but one should not forget that money is not everything. Modern man talks in terms of money, thinks in terms of money and tries to grab it by fair and foul means. He measures relations in terms of money. He has forgotten moral values and principles. Love, passion, affection, emotions and sentiments have no place in his life. This kind of attitude should be discouraged. To become rich and affluent overnight, has become the ultimate goal of every person.

Of course, money can bring the comforts, luxuries of life, but it cannot bring real happiness and joy.

T.L. BALI
Hoshiarpur

I feel that the writer’s observation deserves to be taken with a pinch of salt. Love of money is the root of all evil. It is the cause of many sins and crimes. It makes a man neglect and forget the higher things of life. He is so busy making money that he does not care for things that are of the spirit, so much so that he forgets even his Maker. God and Mammon cannot be worshipped together.

Craze for money makes a man selfish and mean and checks all generous impulses of his soul. Lastly, it makes a man exploit his fellow men for his own ends. Modern capitalism is nothing but large-scale exploitation of the poor masses in the interest of a few. All this is not to suggest that money by itself is evil. Many good things can be done with the help of money. But one must not be a slave to it.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

This refers to Chetna Banerjee’s write-up, "Remade for each other" (September 16). The writer has glorified the changing attitude of our society towards divorced women. There is no doubt that our attitudes have changed, but this change is limited to a specific class of the society. In the case of a majority of women, the conditions remain unchanged.

The cases of Renuka Shahane, Shyamolie Verma and Mona Bhattacharjee, cited by the writer, reinforce the fact that only divorced women with name and fame can marry bachelors.

Women from poor families are still beyond this change and by and large the middle class does not seem to echo this trend.

SHRI BHAGWAN BAWWA
Rewari

Realism in Indian cinema

This refers to Aradhika Sekhon’s article, "Thumbing the nose at candy floss, Hindi cinema takes a realistic turn" (September 9). It is a realistic description of various developments in the world of Hindi cinema where along with formula films many new trendsetting films are being made. The trend is towards realism and films that cater to young people. Film makers have been examining love from different perspectives and angles.

Bollywood will not altogether stop producing staple masala movies, yet the change is quite visible. New films are expected to be made which are more creative and artistic without unnecessary violence and love triangles.

K.L. BATRA
Yamunanagar

"Saying it all about salt" by Maharaj K. Koul (September 9) was very informative.

The Institute of Environmental Conservation and Horticulture Development has devised a digestive ‘herbal salt’ to treat digestive tract ailments. It is made of 21 herbs and medical salts.

Jesus Christ referred to those blessed by God as ‘the salt of the earth’ An old sailor who often recounts his marine life, is dubbed as ‘an old salt’.

Arabians believe that salt creates a sacred bond between the hosts and guests. Also, it doesn’t behove one to speak ill of one who salt one has partaken of.

The superstitious in the West believe that spilling salt brings bad luck which can be averted by throwing a pinch over one’s left shoulder. A pinch of salt is also a shield against witches.

ROSHNI JOHAR
Shimla