M A I L B A G

Making India a golden sparrow

I refer to H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial “With vision and statesmanship” (March 3). India has shown to the world that it is a responsible state where no IAEA safeguards are necessary, since it has self-imposed restrictions. We are maintaining good relations with all developed countries and are capable of treading alone on our developmental path. However, it would be better if the US comes closer to India, thus making the journey easier and smoother for both countries.

It would now be easier for India to have better relations with other developed countries. The Foreign Direct Investment would increase not only from the US but also from the European Union and highly developed countries. Our energy problems would be solved without diluting our nuclear development programme.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured President Bush that India would always honour the confidence reposed by the Americans in Indians. We can make India a golden sparrow.

BABU RAM DHIMAN, Pinjore

II

Mr Dua’s Edit Page article “Breaking from the past” (March 6) reminds me of India’s food crisis after Independence. Jawaharlal Nehru issued the warning, ‘Produce or Perish’. Our armed forces were ill-equipped. Old soldiers of my generation remember the late American General Mac Arthus’ words: “If you want to be strong, always have friendship with the stronger”.

The Indo-US nuclear deal, after 58 years of Independence, implies the US’ recognition of India as a nuclear weapon state. I am happy that eight out of 22 Indian reactors will be kept on military list not open to international safeguards. Above all, India has made it clear that it would neither disclose the size of its nuclear arsenal nor its design for developing more nuclear weapons. It would also retain the right to determine the size of its nuclear deterrent according to the threat perception at a particular time.

India would also have the right to determine as to how many warheads missiles are needed without allowing any international constraints.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari-Hamirpur (HP)

III

Opinion polls confirm that President Bush may be a bully for others, but he is the best person India can do business with. Growing Indian economy desperately needs energy. As fossil fuels are scarce, civilian nuclear cooperation from the US has acquired utmost importance. The US hegemony in the emerging international scenario need not bother us now.

President Bush did some plain speaking in Pakistan. Five points are noteworthy: Pakistan does not qualify for nuclear parity with India; Pakistan should do more to tackle terrorism; General Musharraf ought to hasten democracy through free and fair elections; Pakistan and India intensify bilateral peace efforts; and India’s unique contribution to quake victims across the LoC. More than the nuclear deal, we must take note of this plain speaking by President Bush.

Lieut-Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd) Mohali

IV

In his front-page editorial “With vision and statesmanship”, Mr Dua optimistically approved the Indo-US nuclear deal despite protests by the Left and other parties. However, the US’ only vision is to dominate the world market and impose its dollar diplomacy. It does everything to suit its own national interest. If the US had been sincere as Abraham Lincoln was to keep it united even through the Civil War, it would have made India and Pakistan friendly neighbours after Partition birth pangs.

Prof HARI SINGH, Kheri Jat (Jhajjar)

IMA on medical ethics THE Indian Medical Association (IMA), at its monthly meeting in Satluj Club, decided to abolish the commission system as this is unethical, making treatment costlier and eroding the sacred patient-doctor relationship. It was decided to pass on this amount to the poor patients. Doctors felt that patients should not visit any specialist with any RMP or with the prescription slip as this will increase the cost. They wanted IMA to publish a list of charges for various facilities available. Specialists will soon meet to examine this issue. Members felt that the commission system, instead of helping the patients, was encouraging quackery. It was resolved that no doctor will host parties for quacks. The IMA will socially boycott doctors who encouraged quacks. Hereafter, doctors will not distribute any kind of gifts on Diwali, New Year and similar occasions. They will also not accept any kind of cut or incentive from their fellow friends. Dr G.S. GREWAL, Medical Director, SASGM Multi-Speciality Hospital, Ludhiana

Tiger population

This refers to my article on the tiger population in the country carried in The Tribune on March 11. I would like to state that the opinion expressed in the article is my own and not that of WWF-India.

Brig Ranjit Talwar (retd), Head, Protected Area Support Programme, Tiger & Wildlife Programme