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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 13:15:27 -0400
The nation needs a good early warning system with fast flow of information -- from weather stations to state, district and town administration and to television and radio stations. Until our observatories are not equipped to pass on this information, big corporations like the Kandla Port Trust can always employ a few meteorologists instead of solely depending on the weather bureau. Fast access to satellite pictures is the key. Many times, the weather changes so fast that warning cannot be given.
Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 12:42:15 -0700
Best interview I ever read on Rediff -- Congrats!
Date sent: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 09:39:34 -0400
Thanks again for an interesting interview.
Raghu Tumkur
Date sent: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 23:57:55 +0530
Current and comprehensive.
Date sent: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 13:16:17 PDT
Dear Mr Kampani, I wish to bring following points to your notice. In your article, you seemed to be convinced that China is not a potential nuclear threat to India's security. You also seemed to be worried about the fate of China's relationship with India which was developed over decades. Mr Kampani, someone should tell you that Communist China is nobody's friend. India did have excellent relations with China in the mid-50s. They gave India a very popular slogan, 'Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai' and the then Chinese president visited India at least three times (as per my knowledge) between 1955 and 1960. To what end? A humiliating betrayal! The Chinese caught India unprepared, back-stabbed us and snatched a large portion of our territory. The Chinese did the same thing with the Russians. During their honeymoon with the former Soviet Union, they obtained nuclear and other military technology from the USSR and later turned their back to them. How can you say China is not a threat to India? If you think so because Chinese have had no direct confrontation with India lately, then you are dead wrong. The fact is, they don't need to do any such thing. They have an excellent pawn, named Pakistan, for this purpose. In fact, the Indian tests provided China with an excellent opportunity to make the world forget about their serious crimes of the past. China is not stupid enough to lose this golden opportunity by providing a nuclear umbrella to Pakistan, a country that is only China's pawn. Do you know that, till date, China does not recognise Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh as part of India? This certainly offers them the potential to launch a Tibet-like invasion into India. Do you know that the Chinese army has violated the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh at least twice in the last two decades? Do you know that China is very anxious and trying hard to build helipads and other military-specific installations in Arunachal Pradesh? All has been happening on our eastern border only because we (in India) had a corrupt and impotent Congress government. George Fernandes was probably stunned when he learned about the Chinese activities in the east and probably wanted to warn the country as soon as possible. Of course, he could have done that in a better way, but that doesn't change reality. Someone should also tell you that China has almost converted Myanmar (formerly Burma) into their military station so that they can keep a very close eye on India's eastern border. It is only an illusion that 1974 nuclear blast gave India nuclear deterrence. Having a nuclear weapon has absolutely no meaning unless you have an effective delivery system. The device exploded in 1974 was very crude, probably weighing several tonnes. And we did not have a delivery system. It has taken 24 years (thanks to our political instability, bureaucracy and corrupt government) to develop a nuclear weapon systems that could be used effectively, if required. The 1974 explosion was akin to a laboratory experiment. India has acquired a reliable and usable nuclear weapon only after the recent tests. I have no doubt in my mind that China will soon change its policy about recognition of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. We may also witness improved Chinese behaviour, at least on the border. You also give the example of Israel. It is absolutely wrong even to hope that India can follow Israel. There is no comparison between the circumstances of the two countries. Israel has solid economic and military support from the United States. Israel can afford to remain an undeclared nuclear weapons state only because it does not have any enemy or rival who is a declared nuclear power. It does not have any enemy who has received nuclear technology from a nuclear state. But if Israel had been compelled to conduct a test in the past, then the Pressler and Glenn Amendments would never have come to existence. I remember reading a news item lately, which dwelt on the fact that since an Islamic nation like Pakistan has the bomb, the U S Congress is now considering repealing these amendments so that Israel can conduct tests without attracting sanctions. Mr Kampani, you definitely need to change your views about the BJP. I do not like nuclear weapons and I hate anything related to the weapons of mass destruction. But, unfortunately, in today's world these decision are often forced upon one by others. The only reason the US police carry guns is because the criminals are normally fully armed. There is nothing wrong in having a nuclear weapon if it assures unchallenged national security. What the BJP needs to do now is concentrate on a image-building and a public relations management exercise. I have to say that our ambassador, Naresh Chandra, has botched up the job of explaining our side to the Americans (he is, by any measure, a useless ambassador). In contrast, Pakistan's ambassador, Riaz Khokhar, has done a great job. He managed to twist reality and make India look criminal and Pakistan innocent. You are most welcome to correct me if I have said anything wrong.
Milind Patil
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 22:46:38 -0700
This was an excellent analysis! I hope you find a way to distribute this particular piece to newspapers in India.
Date sent: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 14:41:36 +0200
I totally agree with G Fernandes's comments. He could, perhaps, mention the role played by the US in letting Israel have nuclear weapons even though it's in a most volatile zone and despite its arrogant and defiant attitude. While Israel celebrated their 50th anniversary, Palestinians were reminded that it was 50 years since they became foreigners in their own land. He could remind Bill Clinton of China's role in Tibet and the massacres there before informing him that India showed human compassion towards the Tibetans, who are a hardworking and peaceful people. But America would prefer to ignore all this and shake hands with even with the devil -- IF IT HAS SOMETHING TO GAIN! Perhaps Bill needs Chinese funds for his campaign. No one can crush the Indian spirit. America seems to forgetting the lessons learnt from their defeat in the Vietnam war. Go ahead, George! God will be with you as long as your intentions are sincere. JAI HIND!
Mushtaq Ali
Date sent: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 13:37:11 -0700
The VHP is correct in saying that the judiciary should expedite the process of justice. Ashok Singhal has rightly pointed to a flaw in our Constitution, which does not tackle a basic rule of justice: "Justice delayed is justice denied!" Our costly judicial system should be made answerable to those who seek justice. Parliamentarians need to address this issue at the earliest because this is 'the problem' blocking effective law implementation. Jai Hind!
Ajay
Date sent: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 15:44:30 -0400
I am very happy to see this discussion happening, and I am convinced that many of my genre would feel similarly about this issue. It is high time India made some changes. Discussion on the type of democracy and how to guarantee more stable governments is absolutely essential. The Presidential form may not be an answer but a more radical system of federal structure that takes administration right down to the villages is necessary. This, in addition to allowing us to handle and solve their own problems, gives us a unique opportunity to uncage our true potential.
Suresh
Date sent: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 19:38:47 -0400
Your news report on the felicitation of the T3 scientists was a very good change from normal news. I request you to cover more such events, whenever possible. Such events are inspiring.
Vasu
Date sent: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 10:53:33 -0400
I thought all along that only politicians are opportunistic chameleons in India, but what a surprise! Pritish Nandy's new identity proves it is not so. The cancerous degeneration of moral values can undermined Indian society. Educated Indians were the beacon of enlightenment and hope for her vast illiterate population. Oh God! Help India from unprincipled politicians and perverted intellectuals. Amen.
Date sent: Tue, 5 May 1998 13:07:35 -0500
Shantaram Nandgaonkar is clearly is out of touch with reality. I have not seen his picture, but let me guess (I know I'm stereotyping)... He must be in his mid- 50s, has Shiv Sena or RSS links (the "moral" leaders of the nation) and believes that
Date sent: Tue, 05 May 1998 16:13:07 -0700
It is sad that in today's world of technological excellence, superior lifestyles and higher thinking, we in India are still in the same old rut. I have lived and studied in India all my life and now am working in the US. I still cannot perceive the idea of vulgar behaviour and conserving our traditions. These very people indulge in so-called shabby behaviour, but then rules are different for everybody else. What two mature adults do is of no concern to anybody. I, obviously, do not mean to say that we should accept public indecency. But the concept of hugging and kissing being seen as shabby is a shame. In northern India, two men greet each other by giving a hug. If we weigh both cases equally, it would mean half the masculine population in the north is promoting and accepting homosexuality. Hugging and kissing need not be viewed as a sexually indecent public act. It is just another way of showing affection. When I was in India, I encountered many cases where people follow traditions without giving a thought to the rationale behind it. I totally disagree with this and applaud the symbolism of what Marc and Sophiya did on stage. All this talk of an equal community where men and women are treated as equals is a big sham. If a supposedly open-minded community like Bombay still defers to ridiculous traditional beliefs, I wonder about the fate of this country which is primarily dominated by villages. The advent of the 21st century will mark great achievements across the world, but we will still be struggling in the same age-old "decency". If one could form the views of a people by restricting them, the world would still be full of Hitlers. Instead of obstructing the so-called western ideas and influences, it should be left to the individual to decide what he or she thinks is right. We live in a dream world, where we believe that sex is not a common issue in India. Right now, it happens in the dark. Parents, I am sure, would like this to be an open issue because they will then know what is happening with their children than be in the dark of their wards' activities. I am 23 years old and I feel that, by giving me my freedom, my parents succeeded in making me a more responsible adult. This has given me the strength to understand and cope with life.
Jagan
Date sent: Fri, 08 May 1998 12:22:20 -0700
I started to read this article, and then immediately gave up with the feeling, oh well, here we go again. No, I don't mean Navalkar's conduct, I am referring to Prem! As you said in your response to one of the e-mailers, and I quote, "You asked if you were missing the point. I don't know -- my point is, simply, that in India today, there are issues far, far more urgent, more pressing, more heartbreakingly vital, than the happenings at a rock concert attended by a minuscule percentage of the population. That was my point -- did you hit it, or miss it?" If the happenings at the concert was quite insignificant, then why do people like yourself, Nandy, et al, jump on this other "save democracy" type of bandwagon? Looks like you reporters/columnists, whatever you call yourselves (not being sarcastic here, BTW), have this permanent urge to appear as the goody-goody boy next door. Always make vacuous, meaningless statements just to get the fan club going ga-ga over your upright and politically-correct outpourings. Where was the need for you to add to the din, when you could have used your talent to highlight some other, more important issue? Was the intention to score cool points with your readers? Oh, well, it is only hoped that you folks are not getting that desperate to get attention.
Prem Panicker's response: To take your points in no particular order, this: if the intention was to get my 'fan club' to go ga-ga, I could have remained on the cricket side of the fence. And if you notice, the mail has been both pro and con, so the 'fan club' bit seems a bit overdone here, friend.
Date sent: Tue, 5 May 98 10:38:31 +0100
I guess this is again a case of Pakistanis and Muslims trying the score brownie points, given the fact that the movie apparently shows the Babri Masjid demolition. Anyway, the move is unlikely to anguish Indian sentiments since we ourselves are questioning Nehru's and Gandhi's roles. We started this process when Gandhi died an untimely death at the hands of Godse. The question that this, or any film about Jinnah or Pakistan, needs to answer is if Muslims were so insecure in Hindu-dominated India, why didn't they migrate to Pakistan? Why didn't the Hindus stay in Pakistan despite Jinnah's assurances of protection? Wasn't it (the creation of Pakistan) a democratic Muslim decision? Why are loads of Bangadeshis still come to India, even as they consider us a Hindu/kafir country?
Anurag N Banerjee
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 08:20:17 -0700
Finally someone is willing to act against the Urban Land Ceiling Act and get rid of the middlemen who are steeped in corruption. New industries should be required to provide some toilets outside their plant for people to use as a civic project, or keep the neighbourhood clean. The law should also take a look at old houses that occupy a lot of land and make them add more bathrooms for tenants so that railway tracks can be used for the purpose for which they were intended. More pigs should be raised, so that the streets are cleaner.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 15:55:14 -0700
Most of the article is fine. But it ignores one important fact: "The US administration threatened that it would impose Super 301and had even announced the dates. Then what happened? See, the business lobby in the US would not allow such a thing to happen. And if it had happened then, it would not have allowed the situation to get out of hand now," says a senior BJP leader. The punchline is obviously the Chinese example and the market-driven foreign policy of the West. "They need our market more then we need their aid," is how Shettigar would round it up. China's growth is in double digits; the US business community has huge potential there. That is not the same case with India. But I still feel we should complete the necessary tests and collect the necessary data. Now that we have joined the bandwagon, let's cross the bridge completely! Rags
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