Sir: For the Sindh Festival millions of rupees were invested in advertising and to promote Sindhi culture whereas, on Friday, 41 children died of pneumonia and malnutrition in a stretch of the Thar desert. After those 41 stars went to the sky, government officials began investigating the incident and showing their care for these poor families. Why are the poor always neglected in rural areas and kept hand-to-mouth to the point that, most times, they do not have enough food to fill their mostly empty stomachs? The Thar desert lies in Sindh where millions were invested recently. Poor health and communication infrastructure keeps this district disconnected from the mainstream population. If one percent of the amount spent promoting the culture festival was invested on these poor people they might be still alive. Before these children, over a 100 people died because of famine and malnutrition. According to some reports, that number was more than 200. A single person’s death equals the death of a nation. They are mourning hopelessness. The government should act quickly to arrange food and water for them as well as provide their sincerest apologies. FARAN MUHAMMAD KHAN Karachi