It’s  a matter of joy that the government recently decided to provide identity cards to people living below the poverty line. The government on July 27 decided to issue identity cards to 391,831 households living below the poverty line in 25 districts of the country. This has mainly got to do with poverty alleviation from the face of the country which is impoverished for a long time. People provided with such cards will have a lot of advantages to do away with poverty through various income generation schemes from within their localities. Let’s hope that the steps taken by the government will definitely benefit them. But what also needs to be done is that effective programmes should be launched to lift the number of families from below the poverty line.

Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar

Astrology

This is in response to Shiva Neupane’s letter, “Unscientific” (THT, July 31, 2017). Astrology has no scientific basis. It believes that the sun and the moon are planets. Moreover, according to astrology one’s fate is predestined as per the position of the stars at the time of one’s birth. It clearly means that in astrology there is no scope of changing one’s preordained fate. But astrologers prescribe gem - stones, metals, roots etc to change our fate! So, there is an inherent contradiction within the subject itself.

Sujit De, Kolkata

Mumbai woes

Right now I am working in Mumbai which I have been fond of right from my college-years like 1998. The fact is that Mumbai which is fondly known as India’s Financial Capital City is crying for attention on various fronts. To begin with, the city lacks proper flyovers and foot-over-bridges, creating traffic/transport problems that pose grave danger to the people. Then comes the noise menace wherein the people have to bear the brunt of the noise pollution caused by the vigorous transport/rail networks. As for the rail network, the huge chunks of the people are being transported by this network on a daily basis, often in bad condition that has unfortunately not caught the attention of the powers that be so far. Besides, the lack of proper footpaths, the scarcity of strong police patrols, the shortage of good libraries and the dearth of beautiful parks are all adding to Mumbai’s woes. To be frank and honest, I have personally felt and observed all these things. To top it all, Mumbai needs more good schools and colleges that will mould the young minds into good shape. Interestingly, I have during my job tenure seen and visited many good schools and colleges in my native places like Tuticorin, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Tiruchendur, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Kaliayakkavilai and Marthandam, all in Tamil Nadu, India. And I am really wondering why these beautiful institutes are missing in Mumbai City. I request the authorities to look into these serious and basic issues and set right things as soon as possible.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai