The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Pros and cons

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Pros and cons

It is almost certain now that the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal will be signed and implemented, ignoring the country’s conscience. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a visionary and it was his dynamic policy as Finance Minister that brought about a magical growth in the Indian economy. But no Indian can forget the U.S.’ unfriendly attitude towards India since 1947. There is no point in analysing the subtle legalities of the 123 agreement or the Hyde Act because history has shown us that the U.S. always has its way.

P.U. Menon,

Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

Even now it is not too late; Dr. Singh should give up his insistence on signing the deal and leave it to the future governments of India and the U.S. Let us start our pending hydel projects across the country and renovate existing power plants. Let us stop giving freebies and make everyone pay for using electricity. And let us curb pilferage and line losses which will result in a good amount of power generation.

M.M. Kale,

Kakinada

* * *

I appeal to our sagacious leaders to debate over the pros and cons of the nuclear deal in a healthy manner, maintaining transparency. The details of the issue should be disclosed to the people in a lucid manner so that their apprehensions are cleared. The hullabaloo over a matter of national importance has damaged the country’s image. The capricious attitude of different political parties towards the sensitive issue deserves strong condemnation.

Sachin Kumar Singh,

Varanasi

* * *

There is no doubt that the nuclear deal will benefit our country. But what is being overlooked is that the deal will give the U.S. a stranglehold on Indian foreign policy. This was clear when India voted against Iran in the U.N. Washington also pressured us not to pursue the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline which can provide us an alternative source of cheap energy when compared to nuclear energy.

Nuclear energy is clean only in the context of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. What about the hazards of radiation due to the waste generated by nuclear power plants?

Jeet Kurian Mattam,

Kottayam

* * *

Congress leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi laid a strong foundation for a socialist economic structure and sovereign foreign policy. Unfortunately, the present breed of Congress leaders is committed to reversing pro-people doctrines.

While globalisation is systematically dismantling the public sector undertakings, the 123 agreement will place our foreign policy perpetually in the hands of the U.S.

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,

Kadapa

* * *

I suggest that the Prime Minister initiate a national debate on the nuclear deal. The people of India should be made aware of the 123 agreement and the nuclear deal.

All newspapers should publish full page news on the agreement and call for suggestions from the public.

Only if a majority approves of the deal, should it be finalised.

P. Sankaranarayanan,

Ernakulam

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