BEING originally from a village myself, I take strong exception to the letter `City or village` (March 18) which implied that villages are inherently dirty. To many in Pakistan, a village is synonymous with `dirty`, and a villager for `illiterate`.

Probably, they do not know what the world `village` represents. Let me, as a representative ofthe villagefolks, educate such people. Village represents beauty, open, clear and smoke-free environment that helps keep healthy both the mind and the body.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, neither cities nor villages are managed well.

After living in one of the most liveable cities in the world, one can compare cities or villages across Pakistan to refugee camps. So, saying Hyderabad or any other city is more like a village because of overflowing sewage is simply a statement that smacks of ignorance.

Villages, if managed well, are more beautiful than cities.

Good civic life is the basic right of every person, no matter where he or she lives. It would have been better if the writer had chosen better a comparison to draw the attention of the authorities.

ShakeelNizamani Calgary, Canada