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COMMENTARY
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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 19:33:58 PDT Name one country which has conducted a nuclear test, and was isolated by the international community. In fact with this test India has propelled itself from being a regional superpower to a major player in world affairs. For half a century India has been benevolent to its neighbours due to its secular and liberal policies which has never been reciprocated. It cannot be denied it is the largest nation in the region and flexing its arms is natural and should not cause alarm. This should in fact improve coexistence in the South-East Asia region.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 15:23:49 -0400 (EDT) Even though every Indian must be happy that India now has the capability to develop nuclear and Hydrogen bombs, I feel it is necessary that India should not get into an arms race. We have much more to do on the economic and the social front. I feel that India will be a great country when every Indian can eat at least twice a day and has a roof on his head. India can't be great only by developing nuclear bombs even though defence preparedness is also important. Now that the BJP government has proven to the world that we have a bomb, I think it is time for it to get to work and try to improve the living standards of Indians. Karthik K
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 15:18:01 -0400 Praful Bidwai is a foreign agent.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 12:17:54 -0700 Congratulations to the Indian scientists, engineers, and politicians alike, who have once again made the world sit up and take notice of this great country. Only strength commands respect, and the world will definitely pay more attention to India's concerns than they have been doing thus far.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 19:17:53 EDT Who is he? Achin Vanaik, former senior assistant editor, The Times of India, presently writes on nuclear issues.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 18:58:51 +0000 Yours was the first site that carried the story on the nuclear test. It took a while for other bigger sites (CNN, NY Times, Washington Post etc) to catch on. You are to be commended.
Vijay Venkatachalam
McLean VA
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 19:00:49 EDT I AM PROUD TO BE INDIAN! WELL DONE INDIA! LET THE WORLD KNOW WE ARE EQUAL TO ANY FORCE IN THE WORLD. IT IS ABOUT TIME THE WORLD RECOGNISES US AS ONE THE MAJOR FORCES IN THE WORLD.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 14:03:21 -0500 It is the happiest moments in the life of each and every Indian. This was a timely test. Visualising the threats from our neighbours this test will stabilise our country's defence and will also increase the moral of our defence force. When we have shown to the world that we can be a major key player in these type of weapons, we can persuade other big countries like US and Russia to change their stance on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We can force them to change the terms of "this" treaty and try to completely eradicate mass destruction weapons from the face of the earth instead of partially eradicating it. I feel this test will make the US rethink about its stance and policy towards Pakistan and China. The policies maintained by some influential countries towards India, forced India to conduct this test. Imposing sanctions will be of no use, as proved earlier by India. I feel this test was of international significance, which will possibly lead towards India's demand for completely abolishing/demolishing weapons of mass destructions. Last but not the least, I would like to congratulate my countrymen who made this possible. Nobin
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 21:32:53 +0300 I think both Achin Vanaik and Praful Bidwai are absolute hypocrites. Besides, I think they have no self respect whatsoever. To use Mr Ram Jethmalani's style of expression, they are insects, maybe cockroaches which can even survive a nuclear explosion. N R Shankar
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 18:19:25 EDT Poor woman and poor Gohar. Now they cry out for sanctions when in the past they and their country has flouted every law in the international community, their prime ministers have raved and ranted and screamed in international fora -- foul mouthing India and yet gone on to burn missile fuel. So why are they crying now when their neighbour has acted jingoistically -- a language that they speak very well. India exploded the device a quarter century back! Why the disdain now of being pushed into a n-race with them; is it because they are 24 years behind Indian technology (which obviously they stole from other countries)? Or is it that they feel cheated that they ACTUALLY even now do not have the technology behind their hyperbole.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 20:57:58 +0300 Rediff you are great for news. We are very proud of what has happened today. Long live our determination and our government.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 17:44:13 PDT Bomb of Peace! As an Indian, I'm sure that this nuclear testing is only a show of trial of strength by India and its craving for much-deserved world attention to the region. At least now, Clinton's administration should wake up and spend time on the uniform development of this part of the earth rather than wasting time in going through international laws for putting up sanctions against India. If Bill cancels his proposed visit to India in the pretext of this test fire, he will go down in history as another weak, partisan, Pak-friendly president of the United States. I only wish that another Bill doesn't close his Gates to the proposed Microsoft Development Centre in Hyderabad just because the Indian defence brain Mr Khan resides in the same city! N V N Prasad
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 17:28:01 EDT It is US national interest that India be strong and safe. There is no denying the fact that today in the world there are three power centres -- the West -- (representing the secular democratic progressive forces of the world), China and the Islamic world. India stands at the fringe of all three with the forces of all three poised to take over the country. There is a strong Islamic lobby in India as there is the Communist lobby. Which ever way India goes -- Islamic, Communist or Democratic -- that power group will become the strongest in the fight for survival. In this struggle the democratic secular group is, to the surprise of many, truly represented by the BJP. The so-called "secularist" group represented by the Congress and the UF and similar parties have sold out to the Communist and Islamic groups. If those groups happen to control India -- that will be the end of free secular democratic polity in India. Whatever the US policy might think, the Islamic and Communist group will never support the democratic US and the West in the long run. It is only India led by the BJP which can be a long term partner with the democratic US and the West. Vinod Kumar
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 12:43:52 -0400 In one word, your article was "Awesome." It had the detailed coverage, missing from CNN, ABC, CBS and Yahoo. Great work, keep it up. Somesh
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 17:16:36 The country has gone to the dogs because of the ditherings of people of Mr Bidwai's ilk. An Indian government has finally shown the guts to exercise its inalienable right to the country's security without feeling apologetic about it. Had previous governments shown the political will earlier, India would have had a mature, consistent, and strategic defence policy rather than the reactive garbage immediately following Pakistan's testing of the Ghauri missile. Mr Bidwai calls the BJP government's move as a "cheap" one thereby politicising what is essentially a courageous move on the part of this government to stand up for the security of India. I applaud this government for its decision to act rather than sustain aimless hypocritical ditherings vis-a-vis the country's security.
S Peeta
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 13:16:14 -0400 (EDT) It's a shame, that instead of being models of peace, we have resorted to testing the device. The world has lost its confidence in India. You will know this, if you are living outside India and trying to explain to others what has happened so suddenly, and almost contrary to its belief in nonviolence and more so, instigating violence. India can no longer take support of its founding citizens and their philosophy. We have lost claim to our noble heritage. This is not kick ass politics. This is, ass***** in politics. Rajiv
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 17:16:55 EDT It is sad that as we try to recover from the many tragedies of the Cold War, the arms race continues in the Indian subcontinent. Surely peace deserves a chance.
John J Lawrence
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 18:08:28 +0100 Maleeha Lodhi's saying 'India risks international isolation' is not an assessment made without emotions. What is international isolation? Do people stop traveling to and from India? It is ridiculous to think that all the 185 countries who signed CTBT and one other country involved in proxy war with India would have downpoured their love by restraining any more. The comment, "Nuclear ambitions helped keep the peace" is another meaningless stuff. If nuclear ambitions helped keep the peace, I would say, nuclear weapons would assure the peace. The deterrents that prevailed have been blasted by India's action today? What deterrents? What did they deter? I do not see any deterrent stopping proxy war or the three actual wars that were fought. I do not think that the Government of India did not calculate the risk until Maleeha Lodhi assessed it. These tests will definitely challenge the might of Pakistan to come out. It cannot raise a finger at India if it tests as well. Its government can only survive if it conducts tests or else there is going to be big disappointment in Pakistan. India's defence forces have already got a big morale boost. These tests also make India stand tall with its military might. If the international community (if there is one that does not think pragmatically and) tries to impose sanctions, they will not take away any capability from India. Remember what happened when a supercomputer was denied to India or when the Indo-Russian space technology transfer deal was canceled under US pressure? India came out stronger and now it is at a threshold where it cannot be ignored or applied sanctions against as easily. If Maleeha Lodhi is dreaming of any significant risk to India, let me assure you, it is going to be a DREAM. Bhaskar
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 11:38:11 -0500 It is the among saddest days in Indian history. While the rest of the world travels a road towards peace, India steps backwards and explodes nuclear weapons. What a waste. This verifies that Gandhi meant nothing to the nation. Not only is it a bad political move, but it won't do anything for defence. We could have kicked Pakistan's rear without the weapons. Now, Pakistan will produce its own atom and hydrogen bombs, increasing up the confrontation and putting it on equal footing with India. Once again, we have become a joke of a nation because of our useless leaders. The BJP has removed all doubt that it's a party of idiots. Mukul Verma
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 09:34:35 -0700 Well, "national agenda" indeed! Going nuclear, Ram temples, and such. What are these BJP types smoking? Do they seriously think such antics are going to move the country forward or improve its image?
Jayanth Eranki
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 18:30:20 +0200 Good news! Rupak Rathore
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 10:48:18 -0500 Cynics may call this a game of one-upmanship with a neighbour unworthy of competition, but I would call this a great step ahead. Now that India has dared to bare its fangs, I hope the neighbours treat us with due respect. Obviously, the United States was "very disappointed" by these tests, but they were not so vocally disappointed with either the latest Chinese nuclear tests or with the Pakistani missile testing. I only hope India learns to take these comments and the impending sanctions with a pinch of salt and does what she needs to do to be one step ahead always in the game. Jai Hind. Srinivas Murthy
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 20:52:24 +0530 I think the government's decision was excellent.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 12:19:50 -0300 One of the best news I have read on Rediff. I don't know how this government is doing at the domestic front, but it sure is doing a hell of a job in foreign affairs. Jai Hind
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 10:39:07 -0400 Hi, I am really impressed by the range and depth of your reporting.. Keep up the good work.. Shantanu Negi
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 12:18:19 PDT As a citizen of India, I would like to know why I should feel proud of the nuclear explosions conducted at Pokhran. Is it because we can now kill more people than Pakistan? Is it because we have defied the dictum of developed nations to whom we need have paid no attention in the first place? Is it because our scientists have demonstrated that we are on par with the best killers in the world? It really is puzzling. I can only compare it to a high school bully trying to prove his superiority by knocking out a junior grader's tooth. Funny that our scientists can create as much destruction as their western counterparts and yet not come up with equal achievements in other fields! Who were we trying to intimidate? Pakistan? The US? China? Or was it our own sense of insecurity that we were trying to defeat? Who was actually responsible for this gross act of stupidity? The prime minister? Even if he is not directly responsible, he must at least be accountable. Then I have only one question to ask of him -- has he considered all consequences before giving the go-ahead for such an act? I have lived my whole life in India -- agreed that a period of 23 years cannot teach me the essence of nationhood or independence -- but in 23 years, not once have I felt insecure or ever had reason to support the escalation of our military capabilities. In 23 years, my life as an Indian citizen was never more threatened than it is now. Maybe this won't be the end of the world, but does our prime minister realise that he has just taken us one step closer to it? With time our act of irresponsibility will be buried under reams of foreign affairs and international trade considerations, but this time there is going to be one layer of tolerance less. I am fully aware that this does not mean we are going to drop nuclear bombs on all our neighbours, but it certainly has weakened the already fragile relations between us. Is this something we really have to be proud of? I love my country and would do anything to protect it -- IF I could foresee any imminent danger to its independence. Alas! I see no such danger. I am an educated individual driven more by reason than by emotion. I read a lot of newspapers, watch a lot of news programmes and in general keep in tune with what's going on in the world. I make my inferences from various sources, some of which may seem contradictory but which in their own contradiction provide me with a truer, more balanced picture of current events. But, for the life of me, I cannot understand where our leaders saw the danger! Isn't it ironical that on one hand we (India and Pakistan) are trying to blow each others' heads off and on the other we go ahead and play a game of cricket! So which is true? Which is reality? That India and Pakistan play a game of cricket so that both sides can make a living from the other's presence or that India and Pakistan enter an arms race so that each can seek a survival in the other's destruction ? For once, the contradictions seem to get to me. If we really perceived such a severe threat from Pakistan, would we allow our cricketers to face them on a cricket field ? This is the age of individualism. It wouldn't have been as bad if the nuclear explosions had been the effect of one individual or one dedicated team with the ends being a display of INDIVIDUAL excellence. But isn't it unfair that we are doing it in the name of national interest ? If India were a woman, she would feel violated. I have one request of our 'great' scientists and politicians -- kill if you must, but be manly about it and claim personal recognition. Do not use my nation's name as an excuse. If you do, you owe me an explanation, which I don't think you can give. So, in our country's best interests, please pursue another profession where you would do a lot less harm to yourselves -- and far more importantly -- to others. Srinath
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 13:22:47 PDT Good riddance to bad rubbish -- a fitting response to Pakistan.
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 08:35:36 -0500 This is news that I have been wanting to hear for years. Good that the BJP government is showing its commitment to India's security through this bold step. I welcome it. The BJP government has started meeting my expectations and I am glad about it. Prasanna Krishnan
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 08:00:32 -0600 This is the first time I am writing a letter of opinion. This is because I am disgusted at this news. I think India should have practised self restraint on this matter. There were other ways Pakistan could have been taught a lesson. India could have handled it diplomatically. I only wish this doesn't result into a holocaust. It was too premature a decision for a government like the BJP. Their main objective should have been making India economically strong, concentrate on the actual problems within. Hope peace prevails! Help us God!
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 09:37:00 PDT What are these people doing? First they spoil the relationship with China, and now conduct a nuclear test. What do these BJP people think of themselves? I was a supporter of the BJP prior to this election. But the way they are behaving now is disgusting. Advani wants a Presidential system. George Fernandes wants reduction in foreign investment. Did we elect them for the sake of prosperity of India or to see that India goes down the ditch? The way these people are behaving needs to be condemned. India at this stage does not need sanctions. Who ever have supported them, should take back the support. If we have a Presidential type, there will be one more Saddam Hussain in the form of Vajpayee or Advani. Let us be united in condemning these actions. Nagendra
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