kanak dixit's article collects the sentiments of bereaved families, it is as staggering to him as it is to you and me. it's too cheap to drown him in allegations that these articles are only a part of the 'game' and will contribute nothing to the changing face of society. as a journalist, and as a member of a civil society, he is doing what can be done. if he were an activist, he would have come down to streets. and it is too naive to think that only getting down to streets shouting slogans will bring a significant change. every member of society has significant roles; more so, an unbiased media is the cornerstone of democratic society. if they were to stop reporting these massacres, civil society that consists of lawyers, activists, teachers, technicians, would be dormant and less reactive to incidents such as these. sometimes these repetitive phrases asking maoists to give up arms sound futile, after all, we know they won't give up arms. but as dixit has said, maoist stronghold is lessening; its cadres spread throughout the country have started drifting away from the command of leadership. it is only natural to ask then; it's hope, by sere accident if maoists were to give up arms and somehow reconcile with the govt. what would one do, in a situation like this where there is no possibility of negotiation, and suppression is bringing more civillian casualty? about what steps have been taken to stop accidents, or to stop violence from the maoists side, to gain full democratic rights in present situation...easier said than done. but we're getting there, one step at a time. today we can see a bank statement on tulsi giri's corruption, tomorrow dristi might publish royal plunderings on national capital. isnt that something? would we have imagined that happen in panchayat era?