This is in reply to Dinesh Sheth’s contention that long letters tend to bore reader. He suggests that letters may be short, succinct and subtle to get full attention of reader. But let me mention my experience since 1999. Bhupendra Gandhi will endorse my statement that I have written more than 400 letters and autobiography, which were accepted by all Editorial teams. Thanks. I used to write about 500 words and got appreciation to contents from Birmingham to Ahmedabad. Many writers in London also were engrossed to read my letters fully. Those were the days when Payal Nair was in the editorial team. Then next persons Urjaben and Rupnjana Dutta restricted length of letter to 250 words. This was painful and we protested, to no avail. Squeezing all information in 250 words was like squeezing a bull into a thimble. Therefore when length of letters was extended to 450 words, we were very happy. We must congratulate editorial team for using next page (number 11), to accommodate letters.
But it is not compulsory for all readers to read all the letters fully. One has to look at the title, and name of the author. If any is eye-catching, one may plunge into the text. New names may need full reading. Contents of letters by old veterans can be guessed easily. Some keep to politics, some to statistics, some to travelogue, and some to NHS woes. Choice is customers’, whether to read all or any letter fully or partially. One may skip the column on page number 10 totally. I further suggest one liner precis of some letters, which may be repetition of one good letter. Dinesh Sheth’s letters are eye catching and topically trendy. He is right to make suggestion, but compliance depends on the writer, his knowledge and strength of reaction about the subject. All writers must continue for benefit of curious readers. Thanks to Readers’ Voice, Editorial team and all those who contribute.
Ramesh Jhalla
By email
(Many thanks, Accurate recollection. We are planning our letter writers gettogether. Suggested dates are 1st, 4th, 8th and 11th August 2018 from 3pm to 6pm at Karma Yoga House. Please advise your preference. -CB )
