'Rabri Devi's lack of education and experience should not prejudice one against her'

Dubious Doctors
The care offered to patients in government hospitals is so pathetic that it is little wonder that they rush to quacks in desperation ("Quacks in the Box", October 20). Also, the astronomical fees doctors charge make the poor patients turn to these charlatans for a cure. The quacks, on the other hand, neither face any threat under the Consumers' Act from the mostly illiterate people who turn to them nor from the Government which turns a blind eye to the proliferation of such fakes. But as long as people continue to consult them, quacks will continue to survive in this country.
Neeraj Randev, Pune

Whither Primary Education?
Providing primary education to children up to the age of 14, as envisaged in the Constitution, was not an uphill task in itself ("Class Struggle", October 13). Had our policy planners and executors given it the kind of priority it deserved, this target would have been achieved at least two decades ago. But most of our leaders, devoid of vision, had other priorities. The result is that even if there are some apologies for schools in backward areas, they are in a bad shape with few teachers and even fewer facilities.
Mohammad Amir Idrees,Lucknow

It is heart-warming to read that Himachal Pradesh is doing well in providing primary education. The terrain in the hill state is very tough and in some villages children still have to walk a few kilometres to reach school. Other states in the country should learn a lesson from this tiny state with meagre resources.
M. S. Sodhi, Delhi

If we want a complete treatment of the diseases that are killing the nation, our poor must be educated. Only then will they realise the importance of their votes and choose truly deserving candidates to represent them. Education will also help them rise above caste, creed and religion. This, in turn, will make issues like "Ambedkarisation" and "Mandalisa-tion" unattractive to politicians.
Jitendra N. Mishra, Lucknow

Modern Menace
Pornography is flourishing in the country mainly because of our society's conservative attitude towards sex and the government's ham-handed approach to tackling this problem ("The Smut Glut", October 13). However much we may dislike it, the phenomenon cannot be wished away. But one can take practical measures to curb it. Your suggestion that bookshops earmark sections for "adults only" is welcome and should be extended to video libraries as well. This would prevent children from exposure to obscene material. Even TV programmes which contain "objectionable" stuff should warn viewers in advance so that those who do not wish to see such programmes can switch to another channel or send children away. We have to be liberal while tackling this rampant menace.
S. Ramaraju,Mysore

It was absolutely disgusting to see nude photographs of women and clips of blue films in your magazine. Publishing such pornographic material, even if it is to illustrate a point, does not become a respectable news magazine like INDIA TODAY, which is read by the entire family. Moreover, the article does not denounce pornography. Should we then assume that the publication is pro-pornography?
Shrikant Soman, Satara, Maharashtra

The article has analysed pornography in all its different aspects. One thing is certain: pornography is here to stay. The advent of front-line areas of technology like the Internet have only hastened the growth of smut. Pornographic magazines and blue films have been around for a long time, but soft-porn vulgarity on satellite TV channels has brought such obscenity to our homes. Most people don't mind. The police look the other way, and antiquated laws are not equipped to deal with this social evil. Indian laws need to be thoroughly revised to deal with porn, before the phenomenon corrupts the impressionable minds of children.
K.S. Srinivas, Bangalore
Working By Instinct
A typical housewife and a mother of nine, without any political background, Rabri Devi has made it to the position of chief minister of the second-largest state in India and appears to be doing a better job than her husband ("Mother's Methods", October 13). Rabri Devi has used the instincts of a housewife to deal with the problems of Bihar and, with the help of some key men, has built herself up as an effective administrator. She has indeed proved to those who mocked her capabilities that she can succeed in the game of politics. It's been rather an admirable march for her from home to the state secretariat.
Manjula Devi P.R.,Bangalore