I AM a regular reader of your paper and enjoy reading thoughtful articles by Hajrah Mumtaz. Her two recent articles, ‘The Azazel of ignorance’ (March 14) and ‘The benefit of grey’ (March 21), were really very impressive.

The second article, ‘The benefit of grey’, hits the nail on the head. I fully agree with her that what Pakistan really needs is educating its masses in the correct type of education, not only technical, medicine, etc., but also in the social sciences.

However, she seems to have missed one important point. There is a saying in my mother tongue, Marathi, that the hands that rock the cradle contribute to the progress of mankind.

In other words, all progressive countries must have, so to say, a mothers’ brigade to take their country on the path of progress.

Ms Hajrah, herself a woman, could have stressed this point strongly in her article but it is missing.

I think that, by the very nature and instincts, all males tend to be brutish and unless moderated by intelligent, feminine intervention, an all-male society would destroy itself. Children brought up by educated and emancipated mothers would be more understanding and temperate who could see ‘shades of grey’ (as Ms Hajrah puts it) in practical life.

That is why educating women is important to every country and society and it is particularly important in male-dominated societies in Asia.

India has taken great strides in women’s education. In some states in India, girls get free education till equivalent of A level.

Pakistan could emulate such good steps.

K.B. KALEJakarta