PICTURE SPEAK

"India Goes Shopping", April 11

"The US' real target is India, not Pakistan. By selling a few F-16s to Pakistan the US has ensured that it will get a bigger order from India."

Shyamsunder P. Rathi, Surat

Crafty Deal

The US is neither India's friend nor Pakistan's ("India Goes Shopping", April 11). It has no interest in getting the Kashmir problem resolved. In fact, it will benefit the US if the imbroglio continues as this ensures a big market in Asia for weapons.

Harjinder S. Minhas, Mohali

Apart from serving the US' strategic interests in the region, the creation of a powerful Pakistan through supply of lethal weaponry and political support to a military ruler would also help to cut India, an emerging world power, down to size.

Wing Commander (retd) S.C. Kapoor, Noida

India's arms-buying spree is a step in the right direction. Today no country, no matter how big its economy, can call itself a global power unless it has a strong and well-equipped military. Part of the reason why the US is a superpower is that it has been able to effectively use its powerful military in support of its economic objectives.

Mihir Shah, on e-mail

India should not get involved in any arms race. It should cut down its defence purchases and save money to improve the underdeveloped sectors.

Yogendra Singh Makwana, on e-mail

The US offer to sell 30-year-old F-16s to India looks more like an attempt to balance its similar offer to Pakistan than a step towards long-term cooperation. We have allies like Russia and Israel which have stood by us even in bad times. Surely they have proved themselves to be better friends than the US.

Anurag Khanna, on e-mail

The controversy generated by the sale of F-16s to Pakistan is quite unwarranted. Most people don't realise that the F-16 is an ageing aircraft and doesn't even come close to the Su-30s and MiG-29s in performance.

Vivek Singh, on e-mail

The US is in dire need of money to fund its so-called war on terrorism. The best way to do it is to sell the ageing F-16s. The standoff between India and Pakistan gives the US a good platform to strike the deal. It is no aid package but a pure business deal.

Somik Bhattacharya, on e-mail

Whatever the pacifists might say a strong India, armed with the latest defence equipment, is a prerequisite to survival. But the entire process must be conducted in an honest and transparent manner.

Amitabh Thakur, Lucknow

The US has always favoured Pakistan more than India with regard to the supply of sophisticated arms. The offer to sell F-16 aircraft to India after it expressed its displeasure over supply of these aircraft to Pakistan is not a favour to India as they are no longer in demand. Even the US Air Force has stopped buying the craft.

A. Srikantaiah, Bangalore

It has been reported that the sale of F-16s will create jobs for about 5,000 people in Texas. Thus it would not be wrong to assume that the US thrives on manufacture, sale and export of death. Its claim that it is a global champion and protector of human rights, freedom and dignity is a hoax.

S.P. Sharma, Mumbai

F-16s or submarines alone do not signal parity of military might between two nations as the time-tested principle of "man behind the machine" is of cardinal importance. Serving a military regime short on patience and a democratic giant is probably the American way of ensuring its own credibility and this may well be the pattern for future arms supplies in the subcontinent.

Lt-Colonel (Retd) Nageshwant Roy Vaid, Delhi

Triple Trouble

In Kerala, the Congress has buried itself in the sands of political oblivion ("Supping with the Enemy", April 11). If K. Karunakaran is the personification of selfishness, A.K. Antony symbolises incompetence. Oommen Chandy has proved to be neither a clever strategist nor an able administrator. The Congress finds itself in a sorry mess because of this trio.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman, on e-mail

Beacon of Inspiration

Women have set the stage to rule the world for many years to come ("Power Goddess", April 4). A country can be deemed progressive only if it respects its women.

Arjyalopa Mishra, Cuttack

It is inspiring to see women emerging as leaders in various fields. Education and financial independence have helped them assert themselves in a positive manner.

Abhinav Vats, Gurgaon

Your magazine has proved that women are as capable as men and can deliver their best in every field. But the irony is that in many sections of society they are still considered secondary to men. There are many people who still prefer a son to a daughter.

Farah Anwar, on e-mail

Your issue on women achievers will be inspirational to the younger generation. However, their overriding zeal for success should not be at the cost of the family unit, an important factor for ensuring harmony and happiness. Online chats with husbands pursuing careers in far-off places may be a technological advancement but it cannot sustain a happy married life.

Des Khurana, Frnkfurt

It is all very well to write about power goddesses. But what about the middle-class homemaker who slogs without any respite, attends to her family and still manages to have a smile on her face at the end of the day? Will her achievements ever be recognised?

Aneesh Joshi, Kansas

IN THE DOLDRUMS

The fact of the matter is that Sourav Ganguly's shortcomings as captain have more often than not been covered up by brilliant individual performances of other players in the team ("The Duck Stops Here", April 11). It is apparent though that he is going through a bad patch which has reduced his batting to a shambles. Under the circumstances, Ganguly has become a liability to the team and a more worthy batsman is being denied an opportunity. Anjum M. Samel, on e-mail The selectors should show some courage by dropping Ganguly. He is the weakest link in the team and unless the selectors start picking players on form rather than reputation the team will never rise above mediocrity. A. Leonard, on e-mail India no longer wins matches because of Ganguly but in spite of him. B.V. Rao, Bangalore

Internal Affair

India may be politically divided over the Narendra Modi issue but it stands united in saying that this debate is its own business ("Modi's Visa Power", April 4). Full marks to the UPA Government for lodging a strong protest against the US refusal to grant a visa to Modi.

J.S. Acharya, Hyderabad

The denial of a visa to Modi by the US is an example of that country's arrogance and double standards. The US had displayed a similar attitude when India asked it to declare Pakistan a terrorist state.

Shweta Chaudhary, on e-mail

Cold Reality

While applauding Kapil Sibal's courage in visiting Antarctica, the remark that in comparison George Fernandes' visit to Siachen was like a "balmy walk in the park" was unwarranted ("Kapil in Wonderland", February 28). Siachen is at an altitude of more than 18,000 ft and the oxygen in the air is much less than what the human body needs. But this is not simply a matter of Sibal and Fernandes. One must realise the extreme hardships our soldiers face in Siachen. It is definitely not a walk in the park.

M. Krishnamurthi, on e-mail

Correction

Parineeta was not shot by Abhik Mukhopadhyay but by N. Natarajan Subramanian ("Desi Cool", April 18). Mukhopadhyay shot Bunty Aur Babli. The error is regretted.

-editor

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