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Vision and reality

Apropos “Nehru and the Bomb, a puzzling duality” by Raj Chengappa (Ground Zero; Sunday Tribune, November 16), there was a conflict between Nehru’s wisdom and his political response to the prevalent conditions at the international level. He wanted peace irrespective of his contradictory stance which he is said to have shared with Homi Bhabha. His views on nuclear energy need to be seen in the light of his vision for nascent India. But Chernobyl and Fukoshima disasters have a sobering effect on the deep faith Nehru puts in nuclear energy to build the future of the country.

Jagvinder Singh Brar, Patiala

Keep the faith

In the article, “As PM, Modi must shun references to blind faith” (Sunday Tribune, November 16), Swami Agnivesh is cynical about Modi’s visit to religious sites. Is it immoral or unconstitutional? To doubt “rudrabhisheka”, aimed at the obliteration of the impurities of body, mind and spirit, indicates his ignorance about the science of rituals. His objection to Modi's comparison of genetics and stem cell research to Karna's birth and plastic surgery to Lord Ganesha is unsound as many western scientists have vouched that ancient Hindus had created benchmarks in science. “Sushruta Samhita” belonging to the 6th century BC speaks of plastic surgery and refers to 125 kinds of surgical instruments. Indians were so advanced in surgery that they could cut a hair longitudinally. Mythology is not trash but carries substance which can be explored by men of faith and scientific temper alike.

Satish K Kapoor, Jalandhar City

II

One century's magic is another century's science. One must neither stop believing nor abandon reasoning and questioning. These ancient text are not myths, they are challenges for us in terms of science and technology. I am pursuing MTech, am rational but I believe in endless possibilities.

Rajneesh Kumar Sharma, email

III

We are a nation where graduates and postgraduates in science pray to deities, consult horoscopes, observe fast and wear stones. What to talk of uneducated masses. Politicians have never encouraged people to have rational thinking through our education system. As the PM, Modi should be sensible while delivering public speeches as what he says matters. Discoveries and development takes a forward move. Our scientists haven't borrowed these from mythology. Modi should give the inventors true credit.

Ravinder K Udha, Jalandhar City

Land curse

I congratulate Archit Watts on his article “Muktsar’s harvest: Water, salt and grief” (Sunday Tribune, November 16). I am glad that the problem of waterlogging in Muktsar has been highlighted. Being from this area, I have experienced this pain. For years, successive governments made half-hearted efforts for political gains to check the problem. I hope the article provokes serious thinking for a permanent solution.

Ranbir Singh Bhandari, Muktsar