Wean off locals from militancy
While it is easy to blame intelligence agencies for the attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama, it should be kept in mind that our Army and paramilitary forces are fighting against tremendous odds in Kashmir (‘Caught in a blind zone’, March 3). With the locals against them, or, at best, neutral, it becomes difficult to gather information about such attacks.
When it comes to Kashmir, there is no centralised intelligence mechanism. The local intelligence units are scared to give inputs. It is very important to wean off the locals from militancy. A complete de-radicalisation programme, to counter the anti-India propaganda, is much needed at the moment.
Vijai Pant,
On email.
THE WEEK is a reasonably good magazine. Now, your cover story on the Pulwama attack surprised me. It is unfair to put the blame on intelligence agencies. It is only because of our security forces that a lot of terror activities in the country are nipped. Counter-terror operations are not hundred per cent successful in any country. So, let us not blame our intelligence agencies.
Ramamurthy Hothur,
On email.
I was shocked to read in your cover story that it was intelligence failure that led to the Pulwama massacre.
Your team has forgotten that it is because of our jawans, who guard our borders and fight terrorists, that we enjoy sound sleep. Just imagine a situation when they turn selfish like some of us.
THE WEEK is definitely turning out to be unpatriotic. I can only pray for better sense to prevail.
S.P. Gupta,
Delhi.
The Pulwama massacre, where 45 brave CRPF men were killed, and the subsequent attack by our forces inside Pakistan, have changed the atmosphere in the country. Narendra Modi has created an image of a powerful leader, performer and a man with vision. He is also respected by leaders in the US, Russia and China.
Rangarajan T.S.,
On email.
Your cover story on the Pulwama attack gave an impression that you are against the Union government. Please shed your regressive mindset and do some honest and realistic news reporting.
Jayaraj Menon,
On email.
The world has condemned the Pulwama attack and has asked Pakistan to cooperate in eliminating terrorists on its territory. However, the Pakistan government is in a denial mode and wants proof. As the Lok Sabha elections are due in a few months, the Modi government may not launch any massive armed action against Pakistan.
We need to build national consensus on how to deal with Pakistan, rather than take knee-jerk steps.
D.B.N. Murthy,
On email.
The Pulwama terror attack can now be seen as the last straw to end Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Military operations apart, India should strengthen its diplomatic channels and issue a warning to those nations supporting such terror acts. An appeal should be made to all the countries to join India’s fight against terrorism.
Varun S.D.,
Bengaluru.
Sort this out
Flight fatigue is a cause for concern, and needs to be addressed at the earliest by the government and its agencies (‘Fatigue factor’, March 3). Fatigue will lead to slowed responses.
No airline should force its crew to work longer. Mandatory rest time should be given to pilots after every journey. In some cases it is noted that the pilot, who is given rest, does not actually rest.
The government should not play with the lives of passengers.
Tigin Thomas,
On email.
Keep rocking
I like Rishabh Pant; we need more such cool cricketers in the Indian team (‘Nobody is taking anybody’s place’, March 3). Pant’s chatter with Australian captain Tim Paine was much talked about.
Karisma Taneja,
On email.
Reminded of Vedas
After reading the quote by George Orwell in Sound Bite (February 24), I was reminded of this prayer from the Vedas taken from Universal Prayers by Swami Yatiswarananda. It said, ”Let my speech be fixed in my mind and may my mind be fixed in my speech…. The right I will speak. The truth I will speak.”
R.K. Ramanathan,
Bengaluru.
Red-faced Yeddyurappa
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has certainly been left red-faced after his name cropped up in an audio clip, where he was heard offering money to a family member of a JD(S) leader to defect to the BJP (‘Clip Slip’, February 24). It only shows that the BJP is horse-trading and bribing its way to power in Karnataka.
Anish Esteves
Mumbai
What about 6G?
It feels good to know that 5G will hit Indian market by 2020 (‘Need for speed’, February 24). Once 5G-enabled phones hit the market, what will happen to 4G-enabled phones, I wonder. Also, will there ever be a need for a 6G-enabled phone, say after ten years? Or will we be satisfied forever with 5G?
Tapesh Nagpal,
On email.
More Pandits please
Chandrakant Pandit deserves salute for moulding the Vidarbha cricket team to what it is today (‘Last word’, March 3). It is about time coaches in cricket became as commanding as Pandit.
Vyom Prakash,
On email.