The use of drones by our adversaries poses a very potent military threat. Leading nations have incorporated drone warfare into their national security doctrines after its demonstrated success in Azerbaijan’s war with Armenia. The UK has made substantive provisions for procuring and integrating drones as a part of its overall weapon systems. Weaponisation of artificial intelligence, robotics and the cybernetics is the zeitgeist of warfare today. Unfortunately, we, in the absence of public debate over national security matters, aren’t aware of whether we have that yet. In the recent repeated drone strikes, we have failed to erect reasonable electronic warfare, even when we have sufficient expertise in finding and jamming such targets. The failure of the Air Force to detect the drone threat shouldn’t be used as an alibi to force the formation of Air Defence theatre command against the wishes of the Air Force. As the strike is against a military target, an immediate military riposte on our part becomes necessary.

Lt Col GS Bedi (retd), by mail

Threat from drones

Apropos of ‘Drone scare’, the drone attack in J&K has signalled a new kind of challenge and a rather serious one at that for India’s security establishment. The fact that drones can fly over without being detected is quite concerning. Perhaps no country is fully prepared for this kind of a terror attack, but as a countermeasure, India should take such threats seriously. For sure, India will come up with the outcomes to pre-empt these attacks.

Mohit Rawal, Ujjain

VVIP convoys

This is in reference to the death of a woman when the car carrying her to hospital was stopped for the presidential convoy to pass; VVIP convoys have become yet another manifestation of a political and administrative culture where public servants’ self-esteem depends on the distance they can maintain from the public. The police are overzealous because they respond to a system where public inconvenience is extremely low priority. There should be dedicated corridors for the unhindered movement of ambulances, as in the absence of these green passages, VVIP movement causes many avoidable miseries to patients who are in need of emergency medical attention. There was hope following the 2017 Union Cabinet decision to end ‘Lal batti raj’. But nothing seems to have changed. VVIPs need protection, but for this, the state must deploy smarter security arrangements.

PS KAUR, by mail

Jobless sportspersons

The recent decision of the Punjab Government to give government jobs to the sons of sitting MLAs has met with criticism. The government should know about the plight of sportspersons in the state. They are in dire need of a job so that they can earn their livelihood in a better way. Despite the fact that they earn fame for their state at various levels, their financial problems are ignored by the government. Major announcements are made by ministers on public platforms, yet we often read reports of the deplorable conditions in which our sportspersons are living. These kinds of situations show our politicians’ bad intent. Jobs should be provided to these sportspersons on an urgent basis rather than to the sons of rich MLAs.

Jatinder Masoun, Ludhiana

Haryana’s incentive

Even as many youngsters of Punjab are hooked to drugs, Haryana’s youth are reigning supreme in physical fitness. The Punjab Government claims to have launched an ambitious anti-drug campaign, but tangible results are not visible. The supremacy of Haryana is visible from the fact that dozens of sportspersons in boxing, shooting, athletics, wrestling and hockey are raring to go in the Tokyo Olympics. The state is lending them full support, goading them to achieve their ambition. Rs 5 lakh to each player has been sanctioned for preparation. Crores of rupees have been promised as reward for winners. Physical fitness is a valuable asset. The nation must remember this.

Beant Singh Bedi, Mohali

Essence of life

Refer to article ‘The change within’ (Spectrum, The Sunday Tribune); the pandemic has taught us about the unpredictability of life and our priorities. Fake pursuit of materialistic things, selfish attitude, wasteful habits, exploitation of natural resources are some of the issues that need to be re-evaluated, as all these are killing our inner self. Today's frightful scenario should enable us to understand that nothing is permanent and 100% safe here. Let us all pursue the eternal values of life, since only that can give us lasting joy and satisfaction.

Anita kataria, Patiala

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