It is sad that INS Arihant, the indigenous and important platform within India’s nuclear triad, seems to have suffered major damage on account of human error (Exclusive story – “INS Arihant left crippled after ‘accident’ 10 months ago”, January 8). It is hard to imagine the cost to the nation after this important asset, and which cost crores of rupees to manufacture, is now lying crippled. The manufacturing and the purchase of warships and submarines is just one step in a complex process. Proper maintenance by technically trained staff is as, if not more, important as the first stage as such equipment has to always be in a fit and ready condition for deployment at short notice. One can only call it sheer carelessness in being unable to look after such an important submarine. How can we forget that the neighbourhood around India is increasingly becoming threatening?
D. Sethuraman,
Chennai
