Big small ideas

The article "Water idea!" (July 7) was very informative. The SMS service alerting users about water supply will go a long way in helping people use their time judiciously rather than wait interminably for water. Innovative ideas put to practice by the farmers, like low-cost machinery which can spray agricultural fields with pesticides as well as water trees, are also extremely interesting. Scarcity of water in arid regions can be managed by putting into use such innovative methods. The government on its part should encourage people who invent such functional gadgets. It should also come out with a subsidy scheme to help people who want to buy these gadgets.

H P Murali, Bangalore

Stellar act

The article "The acting master of Dharavi" (July 7), though written in a lighter vein, manages to capture the unique life of Baburao Laadsaheb. For aspiring actors and actresses from the social fringe who can never dream of joining established elite acting schools, Baburao's academy is a blessing. His methods might seem amusing to wellheeled urban people but the fact that he has supplied extras to ABCL and Slumdog Millionaire is a testimony to his skills. Scouting for talent in the nooks and crannies is also no easy job. The fact that he charges no fees from girls makes the enterprise even more laudable.

Vijai Pant, via email

Left in the lurch

The story on the wives of surrendered Maoists (" Desperate wives", July 7) made for very interesting reading. It is a pity that the government has not kept its word when it comes to surrendered Maoists. The government must realise that such apathy could hamper the fight against the ultras. In fact, it is this very problem of apathy and corruption that is responsible for the rise of Maoism in the first place. A lack of basic civic amenities, government high-handedness and the neglect and exploitation of tribals are some of the reasons that have led to the spread of the 'red scourge'.

Anshuman Singh, via email