Death of a Major

I could hardly control my tears on seeing the beautiful photo of the family of Major Mukund Varadharajan, who was killed in an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen militants in South Kashmir (“ >Tambaram mourns a braveheart ,” April 27, some editions). How long do we have to be witness to an ineffective government? Year after year we hear news of young and brave men sacrificing their lives for the country. No other government in the world is so docile when it comes to the defence of their country. Of what use are empty statements such as “we cannot be cowed down by terror?” The sooner we are led by a government with a strong will, the better.

K.R. Venkataramani,

Coimbatore