Times of India
05 August 2010

CITY PAGE MAILBOX MY TIMES, MY VOICE
The news report, ‘Eyes that speak’, (Aug 1), was a very touching and inspiring story. Hats off to Bhavna Rao for her never–give–up attitude and courage. She is a real winner. Before I read the story I was feeling a bit depressed. But after reading about how Bhavna, afflicted with cerebral palsy, went through school, college and life, eye–pointing to communicate, I felt I could face anything that life threw at me. I pray for her success. Thanks to TOI and Shalini Umachandran for such a wonderful story.
Mohd Imran Ansari,
ASSOCIATE SOFTWARE ENGINEER,
CSC INDIA PVT LTD

II Your interview with IAS officer S Umashankar was an interesting read. I‘m part of a group that is fighting against corruption in all walks of life. We extend our wholehearted support to this officer who has been needlessly victimised. We have already written to the President and the Governor regarding his plight. We are also holding a public meeting on August 14 in support of Umashankar. He was one officer who stood up against the corrupt practices during the Jayalalithaa regime. And now he has earned the wrath of the DMK government as he refuses to bend to political pressure. The country needs more officers like Umashankar to do away with corruption.
V R Chandran, SECRETARY,
ANTI–CORRUPTION MOVEMENT

II Congratulations to TOI for bringing out the truth about the vindictive action against a dalit officer. It is heartening to note that when other news media have ignored the cause of a dalit officer, TOI has highlighted the plight of an upright IAS officer who is fighting against corruption. By placing Umashankar under suspension, the TN government has shown its true attitude towards dalits. It is a known fact that Umashankar had played a role in unearthing various scam during the AIADMK and DMK rule. When he refused to fall in line with the government, he was transferred and placed under suspension.
M Sriraman, WEST ANNA NAGAR

II The present rains are a welcome relief for Chennaiites reeling from the summer heat. But they have also resulted in water logging, sewage overflow and increase in mosquitoes in many areas. Already hospitals are seeing an increase in the number of dengue fever, diarrhoea casesand other viral infections. Though the corporation had taken some precautionary measures, they have not had much of an impact, mainly because the supervisory mechanism was not proper. The periodical pesticide spraying and fogging operations have not been done in many parts of the city. It is high time the corporation took steps to clean up the city, including the removal of garbage piling up in many areas. Spending crores on lighting up the Napier Bridge alone won’t help improve the appearance of the city.
P V Suresh Babu, TRIPLICANE