Letters to the Editor

Discriminatory poll symbols
The symbols designated for women candidates for the municipality polls are highly disrespectful. The Election Commission designated different 'discriminatory' symbols like gas stove, bangles, frocks and dolls for the women candidates in the reserved seats. The EC should reconsider the symbols.
Anami
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Chennai floods
This refers to the report, "Flights resume in flood-hit Chennai" (Dec.10). Chennai has always been known as a parched city – a perennial shortage of drinking water exists there. But now the heavy downpour threw life out of gear. The reason is encroachment of lakes on which towers and shopping malls have been built. Haphazard planning of the city should be blamed for the floods. The city's infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the increasing population. It needs a rain management system. India is talking about smart cities but its cities are not smart enough to tackle a natural disaster!

It is unfortunate that workers of the ruling party were disrupting relief supplies by pasting stickers on relief materials. The air force personnel were not guided properly by the government and rescuing those close to the ruling party was given preference. However, hats off to those who helped the people stranded in floods.
Deendayal M. Lulla
On e-mail