The gruesome triple murder in the thickly-populaterd Ashok Nagar residential area in Chennai has left a clear message to every one of us that we have to be doubly careful about our safety, wherever we are.

With the growing population and modern facilities, crimes too are increasing day-by-day in an innovative manner. As long as man is infested with greediness, enmity, jealousness, intolerance and the like, crimes will also continue to exist. Law enforcing authorities can only exercise vigil over general security, besides preventing a few crimes and nabbing some culprits.

As an old film song puts it, theft cann't be eradicated unless the thief himself realises his mistake and reforms himself. This is applicable to any kind of crime.

The situation can be improved only when everyone shares the responsibility of safeguarding themselves on their own by remaining alert all the time, and also by following the tips given by the police on safety.

One of the tips is to have good relationship with our neighbours. Saying 'Hello' to someone you know or don't know is the most basic way to start a relationship. Why not we do it with our neighbhours?

Incidentally, World Hello Day is observed today (November 21) the world over. The magic word 'Hello', besides helping us to begin our conversation to anyone, has also a valuable meaning of greeting others, thus paving a way to settle conflicts, if any.

World TV Day is also celebrated today, as declared by the UN General Assembly in 1996. This is to encourage "global exchanges of television programmes focusing on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development"

Importance of 'peace and security' is underlined as they are integral part of any civilised society, whether it is 'global' or 'neighbour'.

Let's all make a small beginning to say 'Hello' and thereby to our safety!

R B