It takes two

This refers to Bharat Karnad8217;s 8216;Our track to Tel Aviv8217; IE, September 2. At first sight it would seem that there could only ...

This refers to Bharat Karnad8217;s 8216;Our track to Tel Aviv8217; IE, September 2. At first sight it would seem that there could only be one-way traffic: high-tech military equipment flowing from Israel.

But the writer has cleverly developed an interesting scenario in which India8217;s numerous ordnance factories and defense research and development laboratories, along with the territorial space for training

Israel8217;s lead fighting elements, could mesh with Israel8217;s defence industrial capabilities for mutual benefit.

Also, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee should encourage his Israeli counterpart, Ariel Sharon, to try conciliatory methods with the Palestinians. Outright force will not result in a long-lasting peace.
8212; Giri Girishankar, On e-mail

On slowness

The government8217;s decision to acquire the Hawk advanced jet trainer must be applauded, though it comes 20 years late 8216;Hawks come to roost8217;, IE, September 4. Our working motto in all spheres appears to be 8216;8216;better late than never8217;8217;.

How does our Air Chief label it as a 8216;8216;timely decision8217;8217; to boost the morale of the forces? Should we presume that for 20 years the morale of the air force was on the back burner?
8212; F.S.K. Barar, On e-mail

Engaging act

We need people like Shabana Azmi in politics, people who want to attach emotionally to the problems that the people of India face in their daily life 8216;Growing up in the House8217;, IE, September 4.
8212; Rupinder Mangat, On e-mail

Double standards

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Even after 50 years of independence, the lower castes are deprived of the opportunities being availed of by the upper castes/classes 8216;Ambedkar8217;s orphans8217;, IE, September 3. You cannot compare Mayawati with other upper caste leaders who are well-educated and belong to financially comfortable families.
8212; C.B. Rajguru, On e-mail

Charge every drop

A lot is being said and written now-a-days on the subject of rain water harvesting. But nothing much is being done for conservation of water. The first step in conserving an important commodity is to make the users pay in proportion to the quantum they use.

But in cities like Chennai a flat rate is charged for water consumption. Wastage can be curbed only if water meters are fixed and people are made to pay for every litre of water they use.
8212; W.P. Rajkumar, Chennai

Neighbour8217;s envy

This refers to 8216;The world alleges and Pak denies it8217; by Hussain Haqqani IE, September 4. Pervez Musharraf8217;s web of lies will cost both Pakistan and India dearly in the long run.

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Pakistan8217;s military establishment is caught in a whirlpool of terror that it itself helped create. It is only the will of the Pakistani people that can expose all the lies of present and past rulers. They can mend fences with India. Their future is bleak without peaceful co-existence with India. No amount of foreign aid can help them achieve this goal.
8212; Kirit Desai, On e-mail