Letter to the Editor

-- 500 words
-- Write a "Letter to the editor" focusing on any one of the following words: Joy, Courage, Discretion, Patience

To the Editor,

The Indian Express, Delhi Edition

Dear Sir,

We, the undersigned, are writing to you as a last resort, as all our attempts at bringing our problems to the local authorities are proving fruitless. We are the long suffering residents of several gated communities in the National Capital Region. (NCR). Our area has, for the past several weeks, been invaded by troops of monkeys. We have had the joy of observing all sizes and shapes and ages of monkeys from the privacy of our homes. There are babies clinging to their mothers as they leap from ledge to terrace to balcony. Most of us dare not step out, for fear of being bitten by these creatures. So many of our outdoor, routine activities are curtailed. Despite the brilliant sunshine, laundry is being dried indoors, under ceiling fans. Most of our potted plants, (and pots), have been destroyed by these merciless simians. We dare not let our children play outdoors, for fear of their being bitten. A balcony door carelessly left unlatched can spell total havoc within our apparently upper-class homes. Our societies’ security guards spend a good part of the day trying to chase the monkeys away, but however fleet footed they are, they are obviously no match for these agile creatures. The occasional rifle shot into the air offers only temporary relief.

In previous years, when this annual invasion occurred, we had collectively managed to repel it by the simple method of hiring a langoor-wala. The rhesus monkeys are terrified of langoors, so they stay well away. The langoor-wala has a very long rope, which is tied around the langoor’s neck. Once he has been around the entire area, the languor is tied to a tree-trunk, and can relax in the branches of the tree. In fact, grateful residents come with many offerings for the languor, especially bananas. However, according to the Wildlife Act, this is an act of cruelty to a wild animal, and therefore punishable by law.

We understand that human beings have taken over the habitat of several wild animals, including monkeys. We do not wish to engage in acts of cruelty towards any living creature. We are, however, at our wits’ end. Patience is, no doubt, a virtue. But our patience has now worn thin. This letter is an appeal to the authorities to do something, soon, to make our homes safe again. This letter is also a public appeal: any person who has any knowledge of any (legal) method to rid us of this menace may please get in touch with any of the undersigned. Our Societies have also ear marked funds for this purpose, so please be assured that suitable remuneration will be given.

We also wish to inform you, that in the absence of any concrete suggestions/solutions within the period of seven days, we will go on a hunger strike, outside the district magistrate’s office.

Sincerely,

K.Singh, Bluebell Society

A.K. Kapoor, Diamond Heights

S. Makhija, Lotus Towers

P. Wadhwa, Paradisio