Letters to the editor

Quite Pavlovian8226; This refers to 8216;Scientists opposed to deal...8217; IE, December 18. It is said war is too serious a matter to...

Quite Pavlovian

8226; This refers to 8216;Scientists opposed to deal8230;8217; IE, December 18. It is said war is too serious a matter to be left to the generals. So is the nuclear issue. It is too serious to be left to the scientists, especially the ones engaged in weapon development. They have a narrow vision of making better weapons and conducting more tests, but do not think if the weapons are of any use. No doubt, the US intention is to stop proliferation, but does it make any difference to India8217;s interests? The restrictions imposed by the US in conducting further tests, using spent fuel to make weapon grade materials are things that India can do without. So why should we lose the benefits of US concessions in the name of losing the freedom of doing things we don8217;t want to do?

As for political opposition to the deal, The BJP is only expressing its irritation at the Congress now doing and taking credit for what the NDA could not do. The CPM was always against India acquiring nuclear weapons. Then how does it matter to them if fewer weapons would be made because of the Indo-US nuclear deal? Their opposition is the Pavlovian reaction of opposing any deal with the US.

8212; N. Kunju, Delhi

A debate?

8226; The editorial, 8216;No to nuke bombast8217; IE, December 18, calls upon our MPs to 8220;eschew generalities in favour of specifics8221; when it debates the recently passed US Congress bill on n-cooperation. Alas, with a few noble exceptions, our MPs would not know uranium from pandemonium or a fast breeder from some prolific variety of chicken.

8212; R.P. Subramanian, Delhi

Landmark ruling

8226; Taking the cue from Shibu Soren8217;s case, a Delhi fast court last Friday has sentenced to death Rishi Prakash Tyagi, aged 65 and retired ACP for causing custodial death. A more humanitarian punishment would be to allow Tyagi to 8220;purchase8221; his life on the lines of commutation of pension rules, under which a pensioner like him gets a lump sum in terms of years of service. The lump sum amount so calculated may be paid to the family of the victims as compensation. Whenever any cop retires, gratuity maximum Rs 2.5 lakh and commuted value of pension of Rs 7.5 lakh totalling Rs 10 lakh should be paid only after getting a clearance from the judiciary. Justice Rajinder Kumar has certainly delivered a landmark judgment.

8212; M.S. Rajagopalan, Ahmedabad

Sweet 8216;n8217; Sourav

8226; Our cricket team is on cloud nine and it only goes to prove that one can perform well if you have the determination and will to perform. Sourav Ganguly8217;s mere presence in the team seems to have egged the boys to do better.

He has a hunger in him to perform.

Both Sreesanth and Sourav are great characters and very expressive on the field. This inspires others and affects the morale of the opposition. Indians should keep up the winning tempo and do well in future matches too.

8212; B.N. Kabra, Mumbai