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Coping
with the trauma
Sir: Milind Ghatwai’s definition of how oustees "long
to belong" (IE, June 28) should not be equated with the
nostalgic memories these resettlers may have for their native
homes.
Resettlers often experience some type of longing when they
are in transition — a phase that begins when project-affected
persons know they have to relocate. It is a phase that involves
high levels of stress as families and communities are often
spilt between their native homes and the new place of residence.
However, when resettlers relocate based on choice, this longing
can be minimised.
Based on my experience a number of oustees, displaced by the
Sardar Sarovar Project and resettled around Dabhoi, are now
in their tenth year of resettlement. For some, they have been
able to cope with this feeling by selecting to relocate in
resettlement units of their own choice. Whether this move
was done individually or in small groups with other village
members, these oustees were able to maintain their social
networks at the new sites. In other projects of this kind,
these networks are the first to be dismantled and destroyed.
These are the networks which are essential in coping with
the need to belong.
— ANUPMA JAIN
London
Whom do we trust?
Sir: Why it is termed as a massacre when Hindus are killed in
Kashmir, whereas the Muslim killings are considered to be encounters.
Whom should we trust — the press, the politicians, or the paramilitary?
— PRAKASH
On e-mail
Get back POK
Sir: Kashmir has been part of India from the beginning, prior
to the division and creation of the two nations. Now that we
know the facts, there is nothing to discuss and if Pakistan
continues with its aggressive behaviour, it is time to respond
once and for all and take back those parts of Kashmir that are
presently with Pakistan.
— RASIK DESAI
On e-mail
How about ‘Cowdam’?
Sir: Those who are interested in changing the name Ahmedabad
into Karnavati or whatever, should consider changing it to Cowdam
or Cowdung, or some such name, as Ahmedabad is presently taken
over by cows. The other day, around 5 pm, I cycled from Vijaya
Chaar Rasta to the highway (Taltej). Just on the left side of
the road alone, I counted 78 cows (small and big). I imagine
the other side would have had as many.
— J. MATTAM
Ahmedabad
O Shivaji!
Sir: A man who arose after a hundred deaths has finally
fallen into eternal sleep. One of the most versatile actors
of all times, who had played every role a man can ever imagine
in the best possible way, has died.
‘V.C. Ganeshan’ was the name with which Shivaji Ganeshan entered
films first. One veteran of the Tamil film industry, who saw
him play the role of the great Maratha king, Shivaji, pronounced
that he can no longer be separated from the name ‘Shivaji’.
Hence, just like a saint gets a new name on enlightenment, this
thespian got the name, ‘Shivaji Ganeshan’.
From then on, he went on to play a variety of roles from grandson
to grandfather, patriot to traitor, hero, villain, comedian,
singer, poet, artist, sportsman, a handicapped person, you name
it and he has played it. These movies will keep him immortal.
So magnificent was his career that even I, an 18-year-old, born
and brought up in Mumbai, cannot stop crying at the thought
of his death. His life is, was, and will be an inspiration for
every young man who has the power to dream.
— S.G. KRISHNA
On e-mail |
