Ensure safety of sewer workers: Minister
The 'Namaste' scheme of the ministry of social justice and empowerment is intended to improve the safety, health, and working conditions of sewer and septic tank workers, said the minister. Around 350 participants attended the programme. Kuldeep Singh, general manager, JalKal Department, distributed PPE kits, safety gear, and health cards.
An AR/VR-based training module was launched to facilitate safety instruction through digital tools. A helpline (14473) was also introduced for addressing issues faced by sanitation workers and waste pickers.
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Letters to The Editor — August 4, 2025
Support, not therapy A report, 'GenAI cannot qualify as therapy for mental health, says expert' (Chennai, July 21, 2025), highlights a crucial point — while Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT may feel supportive in moments of anxiety, they cannot replace professional therapy. These tools often mirror what we wish to hear, creating comfort but not real change. The fact is that true therapy challenges patterns, provides structured guidance and builds skills to cope with life — something that no algorithm can replicate. Instead of depending on Artificial Intelligence, we must remember that healing happens through people. Only a trained therapist can listen deeply, confront painful truths, and guide recovery with care and accountability. Let Artificial Intelligence be a temporary aid. The real work of mental health must stay firmly in human hands. J.S. Safooraa Bharathi, Chennai Jarring That a crass film such as The Kerala Story received two national awards, for best direction and cinematography, is a reflection of our times. Institutions are becoming increasingly saffronised by the day . The jury, it appears, was more interested in rewarding the projection of a narrative dear to the political establishment than recognising artistic merits. In the process, many good movies were left by the side. Manohar Alembath, Kannur, Kerala Disturbing It is deeply disturbing that over 90% of sewer worker deaths in India occurred without even basic safety gear—a statistic that reflects a harsh truth: we still fail to value the lives of those who clean our filth. They are not just sanitation workers. They are frontline soldiers of public health. While the government's NAMASTE scheme is a welcome step, real change demands more—mandatory training, proper safety equipment, mechanised cleaning methods, and strict accountability from municipal bodies. Most importantly, society must shed its apathy and recognise that those who clean our cities deserve not just protection, but respect and dignity. Safai karamcharis are not the lowest — they are the bravest. Mohammad Asad, Mumbai
Time of India
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The Hindu
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