Pharma under scrutiny
Of late, Indian pharma exports have been in the news for all the wrong reasons (page 1, June 19). It is appalling how drugs have been allowed to escape the stringent quality net, showing our regulatory system in a bad light. India needs to wake up.
R Kumar,
Bangalore
Use of plastic in Nilgiris
A report (‘South’ page, June 19) about chips packets and other packaging being found in elephant dung by local residents in the Nilgiris was shocking. Allowing five-litre water bottles and other large plastic food containers will not reduce the use of plastic items thrown on the streets of Ghat or in garbage accumulations in towns and villages in the Nilgiris. Unless dedicated and regular plastic waste clearing units are introduced and concerted efforts are made to ensure higher awareness, the fragile Blue Mountains will continue to face severe environmental pressures.
JW Prabhakar,
Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris
a gradual change
It is clear that Kerala society has become so hollow and ostentatious (“In Kerala, funky funeral high on bling and style”, ‘South’ page, June 19). Children who do not care for their parents in their old age are pacifying their guilt. Western influence appears to be evident in the organization of high-end burial ceremonies. The silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud is the employment opportunities it is providing to the distressed local population.
Sharda Shivram,
Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala
I am reminded of what Benyamin wrote about 10 years ago in his book Ottamarathanal on ‘posh’ funerals in Kerala. He said that there are people who sigh, saying, “If someone died in the house, I could show them how to perform the last rites.”
Anuroop Haridas,
Kakkanad, Kerala
More money than what’s good for them makes people do all kinds of silly things – from destination weddings to theme parties. what next? Latest Songs at Funerals? The time has come for the Church to come forward and discourage such appearances. Many people in and around Mumbai are encouraging and practicing shroud burials – a sheet of cloth that takes the place of an expensive coffin.
Anthony Henriques,
Mumbai