'It is not wise on the part of some Indian politicians to challenge or provoke Pakistan'

"Unlike Pakistan which is proud of its borrowed weapons, India doesn't need to seek foreign aid to keep the Buddha's smile in place."Debasis Borah, Nagaon, Assam Sensitive Stance NeededThe US approach to the possibility of Indian nuclear tests was once dismissive ("Nuclear Shock Waves", May 25). The step taken by the Indian Government is perfectly justifiable security-wise and politically. Now that the first move has been made, we should not dither. Till recently, the West, China and Pakistan expected India to build the bomb, not just retain the capacity to do so. After the Pokhran tests, these nations are actually prepared to see the rise of a nuclear-armed, not just a nuclear-capable, India. It is a moment of pride for the nation after 24 long years.-Mukund Kher, on e-mail from Bloomington, Illinois, USAThe cover story on India's nuclear tests is an example of fine journalism. It makes one realise that the decision to go nuclear was a necessary step towards ensuring India's national security. But we must understand that the real test of braving international rile still lies ahead. At this stage we have to avoid jingoistic rhetoric.-S.R. Gudavalli, on e-mail from Englewood, USAIt is not wise on the part of some Indian politicians to challenge or provoke Pakistan. Any war between the two countries will only result in death and destruction. Neither Indians nor Pakistanis want a confrontation, for there are no victories in modern wars. Peace is definitely a better option than war. It's about time this realisation sank in.-Zulekhan, on e-mail from UAEThe question is: why didn't Pakistan conduct a nuclear test? The answer's very simple: the User's Manual was written in Chinese.-R.K. Tyagi, on e-mail from Cedec, France"While the defence minister led India into the China shop, he played the prelude to the play, Hidden Agenda, Act I, Scene I being Pokhran."Raynah Sivaraman, Mumbai This is to express the collective concern of people living near the border with Pakistan. The INDIA TODAY-ORG MARG survey has rightly projected the mood of those Indians who have never had any first-hand experience of war ("Solid Support", May 25). The destructive capability of the bombs can be glorified only when viewed from a distance. Our present status as a nuclear nation, even if our neighbours know we will not be using the bomb, can't be a deterrent .-S. Minhas, on e-mail from ChandigarhDefying all RationaleChristopher paine's views on India's nuclear policy are highly prejudiced, to say the least ("Nuclear Outlaw", May 25). He seems to think whatever the US does is good for world peace while whatever India does isn't. India, by conducting the Pokhran tests, has only acted as per security requirements. While India has always advocated nuclear disarmament, other nuclear weapons powers such as the US, France and China have always opposed this. Why?-Ved Lohia, DelhiIndia has refrained from testing nuclear weapons for 24 years and has actively pursued global disarmament. The results have been far from encouraging. It was the right time for India to wake up to the call of nuclear security.-Vijai Mukund Raghavan, on e-mail from Penn State University, USAMani's DilemmaMani Shankar Aiyar's desperate attempts to steer clear of the much-applauded nuclear blasts were rather amusing ("Confusion Worse Confounded", May 25). It paints a pitiful picture of his nationalist sensibilities as he constantly tries to shift the focus to irrelevant happenings. And that, to a readership which can understand far more than he believes it is capable of. If silence implies endorsement, then Mani's silence speaks of approval. Does he really have a choice? Or is he merely toeing the party line?-Y. Pathak, on e-mail from MumbaiNo Big DealEvery superstar in bollywood has his or her hits and misses. The same goes for Amitabh Bachchan ("Acting for Survival", May 18). Simply because he changed the concept of the romantic Indian hero to the "angry young man" in the '70s and '80s, the expectation that each one of his films ought to be a hit is misplaced. It is also in extremely bad taste to harp on his age and grandpa-status. After all, he remains an actor doing his job. One can't overlook his talent and ability to deliver the goods which have remained intact. Doomsday soothsayers who insist he needs to retire ought to be silenced. One or two flops don't send a performer's career down the drain.-Sunita Rao,GoaWho has Sinophobia?It is amusing that our defence minister, being the archetypal Lohiaite socialist he is, shares his mistrust of communism's political philosophy with the quintessential Fabian socialist, Jawaharlal Nehru ("George in the China Shop", May 18). Yet, when it comes to their attitudes towards communist China, their ideologies are as different as chalk and cheese. Despite the Chinese perfidy of 1962, I think Nehru found it hard to free his mind of his intrinsic Sinophilia whereas Fernandes finds it equally hard to get over his deep-rooted Sinophobia.-R.K. Kaul,DelhiUnscrupulous ActionsThe cunning way in which some unscrupulous brides exploit their in-laws by taking advantage of the Dowry Prohibition Act ("Double-edged Sword", May 18) is deplorable. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. If a bride dies, both husband and his family members are thrown into jail on the basis of statements made by her family. Bail applications are rejected outright at the lower courts. No formal inquiries are conducted or facts verified before the arrest.-T. Radhakrishna,BangaloreThe article on the misuse of dowry legislation is timely. There is indeed a blatant abuse of IPC provisions relating to sections 406 and 498A by some girls and their parents in order to settle scores with in-laws. Usually, with the support of the police. In a number of cases, the boy's side is often on the receiving end.-P. K. Chhokra, Ludhiana"Manu Chhabria may be happier in Dubai but that means nothing to Indian investors. Unless he totally revamps his operational style, he will never hold the same position as in the '80s."Akhilesh Kumar Sah, FaizabadForthright StandTavleen singh mentioned that "Advani is not the first person to have made the suggestion (favouring the presidential form of government for India). People as eminent as Nehru have written whole papers on the need for constitutional reform ("Think Presidential", May 18). However, Nehruvian policies came under criticism as early as in 1956, when a book titled Nehru's India in which he recommended the need for a presidential system suitably adjusted to Indian requirements was released. Interestingly, he sounded ominous warnings about situations just like the one we face right now.-J.S. Bawa, DelhiBe True to YourselfThe report on the plight of gays in India was enlightening ("Sex, Lies, Agony and Matrimony", May 11). Homosexuals would be able to overcome most of their present difficulties if they attempted to create their own "alternative" lifestyle which is just as healthy as a heterosexual one. Increased awareness in Indian society is vital for them to believe in themselves. Gay support groups like ours play a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment for gays.-Good as you (Gay Support Group), on e-mail from BangaloreThe dilemma homosexual men go through can end only if they find the courage within themselves to resist any kind of familial pressure to get married. This would be unfair both on the woman and the man. Gays needn't think they are "abnormal". In any case, sexuality is one's own business, not society's.-Chandra Shekhar, on e-mail.preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}Published By: AtMigration Published On: Jun 8, 1998--- ENDS ---

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'It is not wise on the part of some Indian politicians to challenge or provoke Pakistan'

"Unlike Pakistan which is proud of its borrowed weapons, India doesn't need to seek foreign aid to keep the Buddha's smile in place."

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