Your Women’s Day Special cover story was interesting. I liked the theme that you selected this year. There is nothing greater than a mother’s love. She is the most beautiful creation of God (‘Unseen hero’, March 17). Women, especially mothers, never stop making sacrifices.
Many women in the pervious generation did not get the opportunity to say what they wanted. That is no longer the case today, thankfully. I agree with Amish that a child’s character is built by the mother. The onus is on each of us to recognise the sacrifices and efforts that our beloved mothers have made over the years.
Aparajitha Basu,
On email.
Your cover story brought to light the achievements of the present-day women who are at the forefront, breaking glass ceilings and exhibiting their benign touch of motherly affection. As the saying goes—youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a mother’s secret hope outlives them all. No one can take a mother’s place, which is unique.
The warmth of a mother’s love and affection is only to be experienced and cannot be described in words.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Your Women’s Day package was nicely put together. I liked every story in it. Not just our mothers, all women play an important role in our lives and we need to acknowledge that. We, the Indians, have always worshipped our goddesses with great reverence. But why are women in India not equal to men? Is it only because of our culture.
I fail to understand why we have become a patriarchal society over the years. Barring a few communities in the country that are matriarchal, most are patriarchal.
Ratnakar Pandey,
On email.
I am 76 and have worked for more than five decades. I find that women are the finest and most capable managers. Women have many inborn qualities in them. I have seen those unique qualities in my mother who studied upto class IV, my wife who is a graduate, and in my daughters who are well educated. I am proud of them.
I look forward to reading more such interesting topics in your magazine.
Sriprakash Bhattacharya,
Kolkata.
It is the second time that President Droupadi Murmu has written for THE WEEK in less than a year, and that goes on to show the kind of credibility your magazine has.
I agree with honourable president that every day should be celebrated as Women’s Day. Even today, many women, especially in the rural areas, are being given lesser opportunities. They are being told to cover up from head to toe. They are being told that they are inferior to men. Women are told that males are breadwinners and women are only homemakers. Women, sadly, are denied their value even before they are born. All this is the result of patriarchal norms.
Vyom Prakash,
On email.
Never do that
All the north-south divide as Mani Shankar Aiyar perceives it to be is nonsense and figment of imagination (‘Manifesto’, March 17). There is nothing of that sort. India is one; we are all one. No government in their right mind can leave any part of the country without development.
Koel Purkayastha,
On email.
Amir gives hope
It was heartening to read about Amir Hussain Lone, captain of Jammu and Kashmir’s para-cricket team (‘Putting the will in willow’, March 17). Amir faced many rejections for having no arms. However, he pushed his limits and played cricket. Not just that, he swims, cooks, writes and uses a laptop. Today, he inspires all those who are disabled and often lack determination and hope, and thus easily accept defeat in life.
Arpit Bhengra,
On email.
Amir is an inspiration to so many out there. To have lost arms to a bandsaw was really unfortunate. If he would not have lost his arms, Amir, I am sure, would have been one of the best cricketers in the national team.
I appreciate the time and effort taken by the great Sachin Tendulkar for having visited Amir. He gave Amir even more hope.
Siddharth Narayan,
On email.
Deal properly with rapes
I agree with Barkha Dutt that rape is not a political tool (‘Last word’, March 17). With each passing day, there are more and more reports of assaults on women. Politicians have, over the years, disgusted us with comments on rape. Women’s bodies should not be reduced to battlefields for competitive politics. There cannot be a worse way to deal with the issue.
It is also wrong to compare the number of rapes in different governments.
Ranjana Agarwal,
On email.
Don’t market your child
Your article on sharing the achievements of children by the parents (‘Turning kids into content’, March 10) was very interesting. It is true that children are not interested in showcasing their achievements on social media. So, why should parents do that? Sharing your child’s milestone moments every now and then is like showcasing a product. Are children marketable pieces?
It may be good to share your child’s achievements among a close circle of family and friends, but for me it smacks of under confidence when parents advertise their child’s worth on social media every now and then.
L.K. Verma
(retired air marshal),
On email.