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COMMENTARY
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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 02:21:05 -0500 (GMT) Well what can be said -- for now India's among the best. That was bad for the rest, but for India the Buddha smiles again.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 23:46:59 -0700 Sometimes its simply impossible to prove certain people wrong. But these are the points which makes me say that this was a big mistake: 1. India is the biggest borrower from the World Bank (New York Times, May 12 ), 45% Indians live under the poverty line and 50% are illiterate. 2. The standard of living in India (136th among the world ) is lower than that of Pakistan and Bangladesh (Rediff On The NeT- do not remember the date). 3. India could have defeated Pakistan even before the tests. And even after the tests China continues to be a superpower compared to the obsolete Russian equipment possessed by India. So nothing has changed as far as setting the superiority is concerned. + 4. The big guys never said they will attack India for this big mistake, they only said they will not put anymore into the Indian begging bowl. (Sounds logical to me as I will never give anything to a beggar with a dagger). Also these five tests does not raise India on par with the big five. 5. If the most neutral people like Kofi Annan has condemned India, India must have done something wrong. I think this is a case where frustration and inferiority complex has forced people (politicians are only representatives of the public) to confuse fanaticism for patriotism. Sony
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 12:20:40 +1000 The current 'Hindu' government definitely has guts but no brains. I think India needs the latter.
Mukesh R Bhakta
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 22:17:03 -0400 I am proud of the bold Indian move. I still recall with great pain when China attacked poorly armed India, now they and their friends would know their action will have a price to pay.
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 06:27:30 +0530 Very good analysis, placing the entire issue in proper perspective. No need for panic. We should just play our hand properly with confidence.
S G V Mani
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 17:02:59 -0700 This is a test to study the nuclear explosion. Many countries did tests before, and US dropped it in Japan. If nuclear advanced countries would have shared their experience with interested countries, then these tests would have been avoided. I personally don't like nuclear tests, power generations and their radioactive wastes. Sanction won't help any part of the world. Visu
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 19:35:06 -0400 Very good. Bravo!
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 19:34:30 -0400 Systematic efforts are underway by the anti-nuclear lobby which is playing in the hands of Western powers to create fear amongst Indians that the sanctions will totally cripple Indian economy. Mr Panandiker has rightly explained the "peanut size" aid will not hurt us at all. Do you think the BJP goverment is foolish not to create an atmosphere for more internal savings and increased foreign investment after these tests. In reality these anti-national elements are dreaming and making wishful thinking that these sanctions should really hurt us badly so that they can blame the BJP for that mess. But it is not going to happen. More NRIs will support a strong India. Just in case, MNCs hesitate to invest further due to these sanctions, the goverment may give more incentives to NRIs to fill the hole in FDI. At this hour of need we all should be behind our governments. After the weaponisation is complete, we can go back to think on party lines. Sure, this action by the BJP is more for the nation than for the BJP.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 15:12:24 -0700 No other place on this earth has so many people loaded with so much self-importance as Washington -- where every politician thinks he is there to make history, and change the world. It is, therefore, foolhardy to expect these politicians, who are chairmen of one or the other committees or sub-committees, to put themselves in India's shoes and feel the heat of the security threat that India so patiently has been enduring. India should simply ignore the outrage in Washington because Washington simply failed to capitalise on the opportunity to check nuclear proliferation when it did have one -- China when the Chinese were in clear violation of international norms, supplying all kinds of missile and nuclear hardware and technology to Pakistan. What did Washington do then? Did it come down on China? No, it granted China the most favoured nation, and gave Pakistan F16s by going extra-ordinary lengths, reversing its own existing law called the Pressler Amendment. Washington does not give a damn about Indian security. It is a place for showbizz politics. Pradip Parekh
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 17:58:46 -0400 How can the USA sit on a pile of atomic weapons and ask others not to test or produce such weapons? Is this not a classical example of the adage -- "Do as I say, not do as I do?" India is the largest democracy in the world. But it has no seat in the Security Council. But an old time power like Britain whose population is less than the population of Tamil Nadu can be a member of the Security Council. The white nations still believe the world belongs to them. They will lay down the rules one for them and one for others. Even a puny country like New Zealand is flexing its muscles by recalling its ambassodor to India. Is this not a case of unmitigated arrogance? Where were these countries when USA, Britain, Canada were considering the option of using small nuclear tactical bombs against poor Iraq? If India were a member of the Security Council it would not have tested the atom bombs. Thangavelu
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 14:32:18 -0700 I think it is a very bad idea to reveal to the world the names of our scientists and various other leading personalities involved in the defence enterprise. I, like most Indians, can't help gloating over our spectacular Indian prowess coupled with exemplary political will of the BJP, but reason needs to prevail. Pradip Parekh
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 17:55:50 -0400 All over the Indian community there has been a strange reaction to the most shocking (in some people's words) achievement of India. Yeah, we are a superpower and as a true Indian soul I felt elated. Then my colleague mentions about all the consequences an Indian as an individual could face. At a time where India is hoping to achieve economic progress, this is a blow courtesy the sanctions. At a time when many an individual hopes to keep himself abreast in the betterment of his life this is a blow again, and these sanctions will put strains in international relationship. Again at a time when India is under undue pressure by two brutal neighbors waiting to blow us up -- this is a major boost. So this leaves one and all at a confused position whether these bombs are a boon or bane. Well, if the whole world realises that India has just strengthened its armoury and intends to do no further than that, it will be great and all the sanctions and strains would be unreasonable. But do they? They consider the subcontinent as a breeding place of terrorism and any act in a direction of semblance to violence is deemed as to promote terrorism. This is the opinions of the rest of the world and not anything else. All I am trying to say is this has left everyone confused. This is not to be revelled about, nor is to be condemned. I appeal to all my fellow Indians who have sent in congratulatories to think for a moment. Suppose Pakistan had done this, what would have been your reaction? We would have cried foul and gone "whining" to one of our friends. Well to any Pakistani supporter who is crying foul right now and does bother to read my article, I appeal to think in the same lines. Suppose Pakistan had done it instead of India, you would have been shouting from the rooftops of your "achievements." I finally appeal to the Indian government to cater to the betterment of Indian economy and living standards as their primary objective. Going against a crowd will never help a person unless he is self reliant. Are you self-reliant, India? Like Dilip's article mentions one has to get reminded of the Punch cartoon when one thinks about what is happening now. Lets all hope for the best. Aravind
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 15:52:29 -0400 I fully support India for performing these nuclear tests.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 15:17:27 -0400 If nuclear weaponry is good for Europe, America and China. why not India? Or am I missing something here? Krishna Reynolds
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 14:59:54 -0400 The nuke tests which the BJP non-government conducted must surely have acted as a Viagra-like drug to the insecure macho feelings of the party members and their supporters. We get to see some of them on this net. Pseudo-nationalism BJP-style works on the nuclear level much in the same way as the Bajrang Dal complex, which seeks solutions to India's sociopolitical ills by focusing on breaking and building monuments to metaphysical entities. Both avoid real issues like cowardly bullies do. Both, like Viagra, thrive on illusions of grandeur. Viagra at least, is classified as a drug. Testing of nukes is not.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 11:01:13 -0700 Way to go , India!!! Right decision at the right time. I read the mail of Rajiv Vaidyanath saying that he lives outside India (Oh, great!) and it is difficult for him to explain to others about what India did. Looks like this guy is more concerned about explaining and he forgets what is the country's priority. Do Americans explain us when they conducted 1,400 test or Chinese 45 test or Russia 700 tests? Check the history. We proved our capability in 1974 and nobody cared to acknowledge us as a nuclear power. We waited for 24 years. What more do you want? We are the second largest country and the largest democracy and we still don't get the right to vote in the UN security council. Laato ke bhoot baato se nahi mante. Rajesh
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 13:13:21 -0500 Simple, but well known hypocricy and double standard of the USA. The USA is concerned about its security needs (eg ABMs,etc,) but no other country should have any concerns. What nonsense! A self reliant India can overcome the insurgency problems and handle Pakistan sponsored terrorism within a short time.
T R Rao
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 14:16:10 -0400 There are definite attempts planned by the Congress which are going on now to paint the BJP's decision for nuclear tests as a political decision. This is an attempt in panic by the Congress to look into this affair from a narrow political view. Would someone explain to these Congress leaders about the need to test a thermonuclear device before the CTBT becomes effective this year? India did not test this device before. But Congress leaders are trying to ask this dumb question that India exploded an atom bomb in 1974, why repeat the test now?? It is ignorance on the part of Sharad Pawar and his Congress high command. The fact remains that neither Rajiv Gandhi or Narasimha Rao could take this decision in their 10 years of rule. Let's not speak about V P Singh, Chandra Shekhar, Deve Gowda whose priority was different than national security.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 10:59:24 -0700 Gohar Ayub mentioned in an Islamic training camp that "we have given a reply to India's Prithvi by launching Ghauri." Now that India has given Pakistan a reply to its China card, it shouldn't be talking of anything but replies. Words like "reckless and provocative" from people who sponsor terrorism and ethnic cleansing don't sound appropriate. Kamal
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 18:21:30 EDT Hi, I reside in the USA but I'm an Indian. I was totally shocked after learning that India tested nuclear bombs. It was a stupid move. From now India won't get any loans from the World Bank or IMF. Can you tell me how do the people of India feel about this? Are they happy or concerned? Today the world is a global economy, we cannot live without the help of other countries (especially United States). I think this was a political move by the PM just to gain public support.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 10:46:45 -0700 Outstanding! Way to go! Let India do what is right for us in the long run and stop worrying about these hypocritical bozos (world powers)! Great show and hope we prosper. Vijay
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 10:20:44 -0700 I think the think-tank in the Indian government should address India's concerns and its position vis-a-vis the detonations by getting quality air-time in the USA. Indian ambassador Naresh Chandra was on public television clarifying India's need to perform these tests. But I would think these messages would be more widely seen and received if it were aired on premium news networks like CNN, NBC etc.... Talk shows like Larry King and news programmes like Impact provide a very neutral forum to clarify India's positions on a multitude of issues and clear some of the misconceptions about our nation. The current reports are to say the least biased towards Pakistan and China and do not provide enough on the Indian position. I would expect media experts like your organisation to use your good offices to convey this sentiment to the Indian government.
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 10:24:06 -0700 This is an absolutely reasonable case. I agree with the Indian PM. 100%. Raj
Date sent: Wed, 13 May 1998 21:55:36 -0700 On the recent nuclear tests I wish to say that I am proud of my country of birth and my forefathers and that my heart is full with emotion. I'm currently a US citizen but my country of birth and my heart is never far from my thoughts. I fully support the actions leading to nuclear tests in India and the political necessities underlying those decisions. It is about time India stepped from the shadows of world politics and took her place in the sunshine of world attention. As for the US and its whining president and its pathetic efforts to impose sanctions -- the hell with them! The more I see of this country and its lying, cheating, two-faced politics the more disgusted I become. At least in India we don't claim to have all the answers or be the guardians of all virtue. That the US would support dictatorships all over the world like Suharto in Indonesia, the many little states in South America, Pakistan, North Vietnam etc, etc, etc and yet refuse to help, properly acknowledge or support the largest democracy in the world openly declares to the world that their 'honour' and their sense of 'fair play' is a hollow sham and their so-called stance on justice and freedom is nothing but a cheap political ploy to be used at their own convenience. The Red Indians were right when they claimed that "white man speak with forked tongue". The wheel of life is turning. For too long has India been ground in the dust at the bottom under the heels of the former British Raj. Now we have other Western powers again attempting to keep India down and if India crumbles then she will have voluntarily given up her right to stand in the sun for the leftovers of the Western world who attempt to purchase her sovereignity with threats and handouts and treaties as they did before. I hope and pray that my former countrymen and women in India will stand firm against the wave of disapproval that will surely follow finally asserting India's right to a place in the sun and to become a player in world politics. God bless you all. JAI HIND!
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