Sir: There’s a very tangible helplessness that can be felt at all levels of our society. Individuals feel helpless in the hands of other individuals, in the hands of the state and in the hands of supposedly representative bodies. This has led to a lot of despondency among the people, and also given rise to mistrust. It is sad that our country is trapped within such conditions when this is the time for all citizens to cooperate with each other. The government should, of course, do its bit but the major change has to come from each of us by extending a helping hand to those in need, in whatever capacity possible. SYED SYAEF HUSSAINKarachi