Refer to ‘A Force to reckon with’; the infantry vs Air Force debate is as old as WW-II. In later day warfare, air superiority became vital. It is hard to win a battle on the basis of the Army alone. Equipped with the latest firepower, the Air Force paves the way for penetration into enemy lines, but then, it is the Army that seals victory. This era increasingly uses new technologies to engage in any conflict zone with minimal military footprint, through remote warfare. This approach also strategically creates political distance between the nation and the sites of its military interventions that stand enhanced by powerful armed drones and meticulous special operations. It is surprising that we should engage in debates that are far less relevant today. The emphasis today is on coordination, optimisation of resources and the use of superior technology.

R Narayanan, Navi Mumbai

No relief on fuel front

Petrol price has been hiked 35 times in two months. But sadly, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, as the twin fuel prices continue to rise in the country and the government conveniently turns a blind eye to the resultant predicament of the common man. The state-run oil marketing companies have relentlessly been toying with their revenue-centric game plan (obviously on the Centre’s behalf) ever since the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly poll results. Petrol has already crossed the Rs 100-a-litre mark in 14 states and UTs. It’s a different matter that neither the Centre nor the states are willing to part with their current overflowing revenue surpluses.

Kumar Gupt, Panchkula

Quashed law

This refers to ‘Shocking: SC on FIRs under junked Section of IT Act’. The big question remains: How to compensate where the damage has been done? Why is the quashed law not taken off the statute book through an ordinance pending action by the legislature? The ends of justice are met only when unjust suffering ends. The executive is dancing to the tunes of its political masters guided by vote-bank politics and has oftentimes failed to come to the rescue of the common man. Suspension of traffic to avert confrontation only adds to public woes. As the sentinel and saviour of constitutional freedom and rights, the SC needs to bite where baring its teeth does not suffice.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Federer still in the game

Apropos of ‘Federer ready for another title run’, the Swiss legend, who is gunning for a record 21st Grand Slam title, has been sailing smoothly in the current Wimbledon. When many professionals would have long retired from the game, astonishingly Federer is still playing, and has the hunger and energy for more Grand Slam titles. Maybe the body will listen to the master for a couple of more years. But living in the present moment, we need to stick around, for there is a final chapter left to write on this tennis icon because legends always have one last surprise to spring.

RANGANATHAN SIVAKUMAR, Chennai

Misuse of water

Refer to ‘Water scarcity’; acute shortage of water can be seen in many parts of Haryana, especially in areas bordering Rajasthan. But, still people waste a lot of water on activities like washing cars and for maintaining lawns. In Narwana, a lot of service stations have mushroomed in every nook and cranny, where their staff wash cars throughout the day and waste a lot of water. They dig deep, illegal borewells, connect illegal kundi connections and carry on their illegal business openly without fear of the law. Water is precious; people should use it judiciously.

RAMESH GUPTA, NARWANA

Will be Punjab’s undoing

‘Sidhu bats for 300 units of free power, wants PPAs scrapped’ is an amusing but ironical story. In politics, ex-cricketer Navjot Sidhu is regarded as an opportunist. He has always had his feet in two boats. His statement on 300 units of free power is an echo of AAP’s slogan. Here again, Sidhu’s one foot seems to be in AAP’s boat. Free power to all consumers is a ruinous path. It will sink Punjab into debt. But politicians bid their time and enjoy power. Who cares for the long-term effects on the economy?

LR Sharma, Sundernagar

Wake-up call for all

Apropos of ‘Tyranny of the elected in a democracy’, it is true that India has turned into an authoritarian democracy because citizens have submitted to tyrants. All democracy-saving institutions have been hijacked by the ruling dispensation. Minimal scope of justice is left for the common people. Here, Arnab Goswami gets bail while Stan Swamy dies in jail! Our freedom fighters laid down their lives not for this kind of India. This is George Orwell’s ‘Oceania’, instead. There is need for a mass movement against such totalitarian trends. Wake up people, save democracy.

Bhavya Atal, Bathinda

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