India should behave like a big power
Sir, Contrary to the tall claims of the MEA and PMO all along, a large number of NSG countries appear to be against giving India unconditional waiver on the 123 agreement. They would like to incorporate prescriptive conditionalities asking India to prove its non- proliferation credentials.
With such large dissensions, the US also might not like to lobby for India and instead might pressurise India to address their concern. After all the US has a reputation of ‘running with the hares and hunting with the hounds’.
Pushed into a corner India might be tempted to accept a vague waiver draft and claim victory to satisfy the local opposition. Where as, in truth, the conditions of the waiver would have severely compromised our national sovereignty.
Before the next round of talks, India should warn the intransigent NSG countries that any opposition to giving unconditional waiver will be regarded as an unfriendly act with serious consequences for bilateral trade. Let us for once ‘behave’ like a big power that we actually are.
V VENKATASUBRAMANIAN
Mumbai
How come Tata?
Sir, That the Tatas are contemplating pulling out the Nano project from WB, is not surprising. What is surprising is how a person of Ratan Tata’s caliber and keen business foresight and acumen could possibly fall into the trap laid out by the Left Front govt there.
The state has a track record of strikes and industrial violence over the years that resulted in massive flight of capital to industry friendly states. If they had set up the project elsewhere, the Nano would have hit the road by now!
PRAVEEN MULL
Bangalore
Religious conversion
Sir, The violence in Kandhamal and other parts of Orissa following the killing of Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati has claimed 10 lives. The sadhu was known to be vociferously protesting against the proselytisation from a particular community.
Religious conversion is highly provocative and dangerous. In such provocative acts, it is only the innocent who fall victims. Orissa has witnessed communal conflagration on more than one occasion. The state govt should enact laws prescribing stringent punishment against forced conversion or conversion by inducements from one faith to another.
K V SEETHARAMAIAH
Hassan
Appalling act
Sir, It is appalling to hear that a woman was burnt alive in Baragh district of Orissa. What is more rattling is that the police officer took no precautionary steps to avoid such a tragic event even after given warnings in the light of the VHP leader’s death. The children who are orphaned are further destined to nothingness in the name of religion.
JERRIN CHANDAN
Mangalore
State responsible
Sir, With reference to the news report Centre asked to intervene in Orissa (DH, Aug 27), the face of democracy is distorted and disfigured. The recent attack on Christians in Orissa clearly proves that the government in Orissa is hand in glove with the fundamentalists. Every time it is the Christians who become the targets. This is a very gruesome incident which needs to be condemned. The culprits should not be left to go scot free. The Orissa govt should definitely own responsibility for the atrocity.
VINOO FABIAN
Bangalore
Chiru’s second innings
Sir, When actors loose their ‘magic touch’ at the box office, instead of reaching out to the poor and downtrodden, they either join a political party or start one. Chiranjeevi has proved this. Politics is the only profession that needs no qualification. The extravagance that introduced Chiranjeevi to politics is a slap on the face of millions of poor, who are struggling to get even one square meal a day.
PADMASANI RANGARAJAN
Canada
Our readers are welcome to post, hand deliver, fax or e-mail letters to our office at 75, M G Road, Bangalore 560001. All letters must carry the sender’s postal address.
Fax: 25880523. E-mail: letters@deccanherald.co.in.
