Stampede and safety
The stampede at the Maha Kumbh shows that governments have not learnt any lessons from the past. We continue to have such tragedies whether at places of worship, festivals or at entertainment events. The safety of pilgrims and participants cannot be treated so lightly.
Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,
Hyderabad
One is not sure about the extent of the scientific methods being used in the management of crowds at the Kumbh Mela. The point is that there are a number of techniques that have been tried and tested on how to try and survive a crowd crush or stampede.
One method is to fold one’s arms toward the body, like a boxer, in order to be steady and be safe from being pulled or caught. One also needs to keep moving in the direction of the crowd rather than fight it. Curling up into a ball and protecting one’s neck is another method in case of a fall. It might be worth screening videos of such survival techniques by projecting them on giant screens at large events. People must be educated about the importance of safety. There could also be demonstrations of such techniques at large events.
Dr. Sunil Arora,
New Delhi
Only ‘minimum dose’
The Institution of Homoeopaths Kerala (IHK) — I am its General Secretary — wishes to clarify that homoeopathic practitioners, who adhere to ethical medical standards, do not prescribe or promote the misuse of alcohol-based preparations. The article (Editorial page, January 28) has been unfair and implies that homoeopathy is responsible for public health hazards due to its alcoholic tinctures. The truth is that genuine homoeopathic doctors follow the principle of ‘minimum dose’, ensuring that medications are used strictly for therapeutic purposes without causing harm or intoxication. The issue of misuse arises primarily from quacks and unauthorised individuals. This is a matter of regulatory enforcement. Genuine homoeopathic medicines, when used correctly, pose no threat to public health.
Dr. Muhammed Aslam M.,
Malappuram, Kerala
Published - January 30, 2025 12:24 am IST
