Your interview with Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari was informative. Over the last so many years the Indian Air Force has proven itself as an effective instrument of statecraft (‘Space is the ultimate high ground for all operations’, February 4).
It is a matter of immense pride that the Indian Air Force is among the top air forces in the world. I am glad that India is ramping up the military exploitation of space. It is the need of the hour. I salute our brave air warriors.
Ramachandran K.G.,
On email.
Air power matters a lot today, and the Indian Air Force is capable of playing a decisive role in a war. In fact, the battlefield of the future will be dominated by the Air Force. Aerospace power plays a critical role in intelligence gathering and surveillance. We should also protect space-based assets.
Pankaj Tripathi,
On email.
What about Berhampore?
Your story on cantonments was interesting. But you missed the cantonment in Berhampore, West Bengal (‘End of a 260-year march’, February 4). It was established before the cantonment in Danapur, Bihar.
After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British felt the need to keep a watch on the nawabs of Murshidabad, and established a cantonment in Berhampore. It was also meant to safeguard the commercial interests in Kasim Bazar.
John Brohier, who was deputed to oversee the establishment of the Berhampore cantonment, arrived at Kasim Bazar on October 5, 1757. The cantonment was established over 133 acres with the construction of barracks starting in 1765. The barracks were completed in 1767 at a cost of £3,02,270.
With the rise of Calcutta, and the importance of Murshidabad sinking, the cantonment in Berhampore fell out of favour. The heat and humidity also did not help. The European troops were removed from the cantonment over time, leaving behind a battalion of Indian infantry (19th Bengal Native Infantry) and an irregular Indian cavalry battalion with an artillery battery in 1857.
It was here that the first overt act of the first war of independence took place when the sepoys of 19th BNI refused to use the new cartridges on February 28, 1857. The battalion was later marched to Barrackpore and disbanded. Incidentally, Berhampore saw another uprising in May 1859, but this time around it was a British regiment that rebelled.
The cantonment, dissolved and converted to a municipality in 1870, is largely forgotten today. But the Cantonment Road is still in use, as are the barracks and the Berhampore College (now called Krishnath College) that predates Calcutta University.
Col. Mandeep Singh (retd.),
Delhi.
Doing away with cantonments is a misplaced step. It is like closing oases of efficiency and beauty. Everything British is not bad. They have left behind good legacies—like punctuality, discipline, decorum and civic sense. All that we must retain, else there will be mediocrity all around. Cantonments are synonymous with the high standard of our armed forces. Let us not dilute it, swayed by politics. Let us not kill our cherished institutions that inspire and build pride in our men and women in uniform.
Col. R.D. Singh (retd.),
On email.
Better placed
Mani Shankar Aiyar has directed his anger against the Narendra Modi government through Mohamed Muizzu (‘Mani-festo’, February 4).
Every nation has the right to have its own strategy and India is not under any compulsion to placate a country that openly promotes an ‘India out’ policy’. Modi and S. Jaishankar have brought more respect to India than it got under Aiyar and his buddy Rajiv Gandhi.
Duggaraju Srinivasa Rao,
On email.
Aiyar’s column had political overtures. I was a bit disappointed. It shows how representatives of political parties dilute national interests, at the cost of temporary gains. I am keen to know whether Aiyar would have said the same, had he been in the seat of power.
India is such a beautiful country, and the liberty that the citizens have is probably unlimited and unimaginable.
I don’t think we need an intellect like Aiyar to blurt out things, which could probably have severe impact on the already impressionable youth of the country.
It has been a pleasure to read THE WEEK for more than 15 years now. I am only expressing my concern on the need to be a tad more cautious with columns that send wrong messages.
Santosh K.N.,
Bengaluru.
I strongly condemn the article by Aiyar. Why so much hatred towards Modi? It is clear to everyone who is following geopolitics that it is a Chinese strategy to get countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives under its influence to further its global dominance!
The reasons listed by Aiyar are not just laughable but also ridiculous. At a time when Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are building strong relations with India, Aiyar wants us to believe that the Maldivian president is angry because of Modi and Jaishankar!
Avinash Shetty,
On email.
Less booze, please
Javed Akhtar has given excellent advice (‘Point blank’, January 14). Drinking alcohol, unless it is social drinking, is harmful and best avoided. I am a teetotaller and it is quite rewarding. Alcohol prevents our ability to make decisions and is unhealthy.
I agree with my tippler friends that life is not easy and there is always stress. Some say that drinking alcohol reduces stress and worries. I suggest people focus on other kinds of pleasures that brings in happiness and reduce stress. There are so many other pleasures that could brighten our days and weeks. Let us leave alcohol out of it, please.
Gaurav Malhotra,
On email.