The recent attempted murder of a young celebrity in Mumbai, allegedly by a notorious gangster outfit, has evoked much consternation across the nation. The media has understandably gone to town with the news. Elsewhere in Maharashtra, little known to many, a Right to Information report has revealed that in the last 4 years over 8,000 farmer suicides have occurred due to farm distress. Is it a small matter that for the past 4 years, eight farmers have committed suicides evey single day? Moreover, this year most of the state has already been declared drought hit . Starvation looms large. The govt must immediately implement austerity measures by canceling all unnecessary expenditure on foreign trips, purchase of cars for its functionaries, grand celebrations etc. In fact, the State of Maharashtra must impose a 'state of mourning' to show solidarity with the farmers.
ROBERT CASTELLINO, Calangute
