I have been writing letters to the Editor for more than 40 years now and over 3000 of my writings have been published in many newspapers and magazines, including some of them which have today become extinct. We had an association for Press Letter Writers called All India (Press) Letter Writers’ Association of which I was an office bearer for many years. Our Association used to organise Best Letter Writer contest, talks and seminars on crucial topics and events for several years, in which many celebrities like veteran editors and journalists, police commissioners, BMC Commissioner, senior judges of High Court, MLAs leaders and other celebrities had participated and encouraged us all along.
I have experienced that through Letters to the Editor column, one can get many things done, like resolving telephone or electricity issues, railway cases, construction of foot overbridges, starting of special trains or locals, BMC to be pulled up for roads, garbage removal and many such grievances. As a seasoned “letter writer” I have experienced positive results from many authorities and public officials and statutory bodies over the past 40 years. It’s on record that the Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray had then instructed his party leaders and also the corporation and state officials, to regularly go through the columns of letter writers in the newspapers and initiate necessary action thereon. (I possess the news cutting in this regard). Such was the value of citizens’ contributions in the newspapers.
A “good letter” is indeed equivalent to a “hundred morchas” and the “letters to the editor” is the only forum for the common man to project his genuine grievances. Yet, there are a few who remark that a majority of writers contribute letters with the intention of seeing their names in print. Yes this practice happens but only during the initial stages. Later on this hobby develops into some kind of service to the society since views are expressed on topics of current issues affecting the public at large.
Let me stress that writing letters to the press is neither an easy job nor an economical one (even today compared to the days when we used to type and spend money on postage stamps for dispatching the letters). Letter writing calls for lot of thinking and command over the subject and language. And, when complaints and grievances through “Letters to the editor” are presented in the right way, they evoke prompt response and action from the authorities. I can cite many results and actions initiated like settlement of BSNL, MSEB irregularities, corporation taking cognizance of letters and installing garbage bins, construction of pucca roads, railways taking note of letters in the press and installing foot overbridge and introducing “local trains”, BEST taking actions against errant staff and so on. The concerned officials even visit you to gather your viewpoints and suggestions (as happed recently in the case of complained filed by me on the condition of Kopar railway station.)
Letter writers live up to the motto of “Pen is mightier than the sword”. They cherish the values of life and cherish the right to speak and write. It is pertinent to point out that the Supreme Court and the high courts have recognized and have taken cognizance even of letters published in the press or even written directly to the apex court, whenever there is violation of laws, with a view to help the poor and weaker sections of the society who are denied justice. So, let the breed of “letter writers “, groom and get encouragement from the fourth estate too.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
