Hello, Uncle Sam

Jasjit Singh's analysis of India-US ties 8216;Engaged not estranged8217;, IE, October 11 misses some important points. Fir...

Jasjit Singh8217;s analysis of India-US ties 8216;Engaged not estranged8217;, IE, October 11 misses some important points. First, India needs to consider becoming a partner in the US F-35 joint strike aircraft programme. We need to shift from mediocre indigenous efforts like LCA and high risk future joint developments like Russia8217;s Sukhoi next generation multi-purpose aircraft to the F-35 project. Second, India needs to privatise its civilian nuclear plants so that US firms can lobby for investing in Indian civilian nuclear power paralleling their Chinese investments. Third, the India Caucus in the US Congress should be expanded.

8212; Arun Khanna Indianapolis

Slick work

8226; Thank you for all your good work in revealing the petrol pumps allotment scam 8216;Wisdom at the apex8217;, IE, October 12.

8212; Rajesh Pandey On e-mail

Circle of heroes

8226; This is with reference to Kuldip Nayar8217;s article 8216;The Unlikely Hero8217; IE, October 12. I object to him calling J.P. Narayan 8220;the tallest hero who won us the second freedom in 19778221; as this may hurt the feelings of Mani Shankar Aiyar. How can Kuldip Nayar call JP 8220;one of India8217;s greatest leaders8221; when there has not been and cannot be any great leader other than the scions of the Gandhi-Nehru family. Consider the latest example of Congress 8220;nationalism8221; 8212; film-maker Prakash Jha being asked to edit portions on JP8217;s role during our 8220;second freedom8221; struggle in his film.

8212; Siddhartha Shukla New Delhi

Scan the scrap

8226; There are calls now to ban the import of war scrap. However, there are some facts that we should not ignore before taking this extreme step. Metal scrap is an essential raw material for products which are needed for industrial development. The problem of live shells has not arisen because of greedy importers lured by cheaper metal. It is the inspecting agencies which should monitor the content.

8212; Vinod Kumar Delhi

Gender bender

8226; Apropos of Renuka Narayanan8217;s article 8216;No foremothers8217; IE, October 4 regarding pitru paksh. Female ancestors also figure in the mahalaya tharppanam. Ancestors, both male and female, on the paternal and maternal side of the performer of the tharppanam, are offered till and thoyam water.

8212; V. Krishna Swami Chennai

Epic mistakes

8226; I am appalled by Bibhuti Mishra8217;s shallow understanding of the scriptures 8216;Divine lapses8217;, IE, October 7. Firstly, Mishra does not seem to have studied the Vyasa Bharata and Valmiki Ramayana. Some of the incidents quoted by the author are not present in the original but are additions in the latter versions.

8212; Radha Vijaykumar Bangalore