"The specter of ... "

On reading your editorial "The spec­ter of Doongerwadi" (Parsiana, June 7, 2006) I have two comments to make:

The ozone gas equipment, which is placed in the Anjuman dakhma, does not help in decomposing the body at all. Its function is to absorb the stench, pu­rify the emission and release it in the atmosphere.

You also mention that "the drug diclofenac being banned by the Govern­ment oflndia on May 11, 2006 ... it will be a number of years before the vulture population grows." It is imperative to point out that according to a report in The Times of India dated May 23, 2006 this drug has been banned only for vet­erinary use. Hence, since the Parsi com­munity and others will continue to use this drug, it will undoubtedly harm the vultures.

Dr HOMIDHALLA