Editor,
India’s shooting down its own low orbit satellite with a ground-to-space missile making the country a “space power’ is a historic feat. The US space agency (NASA)’s chief criticised India and termed its anti-satellite weapon test a “terrible thing” for creating about 400 pieces of orbital debris. ISRO Chairman K Sivan has dispelled the allegations/apprehension made by NASA Administrator James/Jim Bridenstine. Sivan said that the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that no space debris is created. As per ISRO whatever debris is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth surface within weeks. Ministry of External Affairs also confirmed/ communicated the same soon after the test. India has now joined the trinity club of the US, Russia and China who have anti-satellite (missile) capabilities on March 2019.
Developed countries specially China and the US do not like India to emerge as a global powerful nation. Under the ploy of “terrible thing of resulting 400 pieces of orbital debris” NASA has simply laid bare it’s dubious intent. By their various experiments and tests US has already vitiated the space atmosphere. The US polluted the Asian Continent environment irretrievably right from atom-bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki up to involvement with the Vietnam war when they used chemical and bacterial arsenals. The US has already vitiated the atmosphere by their various experiments and tests with space-shuttles.. However good sense has prevailed upon them and Jim Bridenstine has assured the ISRO chairman that based on the guidance received from the White House he is looking forward to continuing to work with ISRO on a host of issues including human space flights as a damage control measure to maintain the bi-partite Indo-US relations intact and undamaged.
Mahindra group chairperson Anand Mahindra, on April 2, called out the hypocrisy of US’s National Aeronautical Space Agency (NASA), after NASA had called India’s successful test of the A-SAT weapon system a ‘terrible thing’. Mr Mahindra appropriately said further that NASA chief Jim Bridenstine’s statement is a case of ‘the pot calling the kettle black’.
Yours etc.,
Samares Bandyopadhyay
Advocate, Kolkata High Court
False and tall claims
Editor,
The INC candidate from 1-Shillong Parliamentary Constituency, Vincent Pala, has claimed during his Press Conference at Shillong Press Club and during his interview with the special correspondent of your paper that he was responsible for the actualisation of the Shillong-Guwahati four lane, the Shillong By-Pass, the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura two lane and Guwahati-Tura two lane roads. This is not only a tall claim but also a false claim. This type of lie is always told during elections to impress voters to vote for him. The fact of the matter was that these roads came into fruition because of a series of efforts undertaken by Meghalaya State PWD under successive state governments beginning from MPA and MUA governments and not by Vincent Pala. It is totally wrong to claim credit for oneself when somebody else has done the job. In Khasi it is called, “Kyntur u sniang knieh burom u ksew” (literally means the pig has done all the leg work but the dog has taken all the credit). This is very serious indeed.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via-Email.
Do not lay country to waste
Editor,
I believe many will agree that Prime Minister Modi is fairly unpopular among a certain popular elite within the country. However, he has earned an immeasurable number of admirers outside the country. The reason why he is an eyesore for certain groups of people and celebrities, while they are supportive towards dull-witted and inexperienced leaders is inexplicable. This phenomenon defies the long-held assumption that “education” makes one rational and free from psychological shortfalsl. However, PM Modi is least bothered about what his detractors think and do. He hardly wishes evil on anyone. He has multiple reasons to stay buoyed and cheery. The flood of praises coming from outside the country has always swelled PM Modi’s chest. Therefore, even on foreign soil he goes without a hitch, shouting at full throttle — ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
Indeed it’s totally wrong to ignore the many achievements associated with PM Modi. He was honoured with the highest civilian award – Order of Zayed by the UAE government. Not just that but countries like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Palestine also have come forward to honour the Indian PM with their respective highest awards. A few months ago the UN as well has crowned him with the Champions of the Earth, the highest environmental honour. His unfaltering dedication and devotion to execute formulated policies and plans have yielded positive results, though some try to undermine those efforts. What is most attractive in PM Modi is that he is smartly clever to strike personal kinship with any individual foreign leaders and diplomats. Yes, due to his personal touch and warmth, the Modi government has been able to pull off many thorny external issues very quickly. This is undoubtedly praiseworthy. The truth should be not suppressed and falsehoods should not be exaggerated.
However, a very strange vibe is noticed in the country. It is nothing but an unenthusiastic silence maintained by the popular media when Modi receives some accolades and appreciation. Many choose not to mention it at all, not even as news-item. This makes everything all the more conspicuous. This, in fact, only prompts the swarm of netizens to be more active in social media, their battlefields. They are seen furiously vocal. The ranting, raving, and name-calling against the backdrop the importance given to a certain class of leaders make the situation less pleasant. Not just that, but people on the social media are quick to throw up contrasting examples citing how media goes gaga over a “less intelligent lot” while keeping deafening silence over things that bring glory and fame to the nation. This way the detractors or opponents always run the risk of losing their own integrity. A business done by sacrificing integrity ends up in disaster. Opposition to ideas and political parties is always welcome and democratic but the biased attitude against the “truth” and positivity can only dilute the sanctity of the enterprise and professionalism.
As concerned citizens, should we not first want that the light of glory and joy dispel the gloom of darkness and despair in the country? Let’s not waste our precious life by struggling to call the untruth as truth and vice versa. This exercise only contributes to polluting our mindset and the country becomes less peaceful and more vulnerable.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Via email