Understanding the Needy

Time

March 13, 2000

THE TRAGEDY OF THE DAMAGE IN INDIA caused by the Orissa cyclone was indeed terrible [Feb. 14], but what is worse is the ongoing indifference of India’s so-called elite.

As you reported, “No concerted effort has been made to clean up…or aid the survivors.” You also quoted an author who noted the “Trauma has left the elite unmoved.”

Before aspiring to be a major power by using information technology and possessing nuclear weapons, India’s elite should do volunteer work in the ubiquitous slums in order to understand something about helping the needy. The elite need to see the true picture of the vast majority of the people.

Ko Unoki

Fujisawa, Japan