Effects of Agni V

Effects of Agni V
It is heartening to note that India's first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Agni-V, was successfully test-fired on Thursday from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast. The efforts of
our scientists and others who were instrumental in this endeavor really deserves compliments. With this test fire of the Agni V ICBM, India joins the exclusive ICBM club of six countries - United States, Russia, United Kingdom and China. China has made its presence felt with high intensity missiles in Tibet bordering India, not to speak of Pakistan which has become the terror hub. In such a situation, the induction of Agni V into the Army will boost the morale of our defence sector.
—NR Ramachandran, Ooty

II
Congratulations to DRDO scientists for successfully launching the ICBM Agni V. This launch is a leap forward in India's space programme. India now joins the elite club of nations who possess the capability to operate an ICBM. India is truly fast-rising global economy. Its IT industry is next only to USA, and it needs to plays a key role in international affairs. This is possible only if India is as financially and militarily strong as America, China and Russia. Hence the need for India to have Agni V which will definitely work more as a deterrent as India is a peaceful country and has never attacked any country. Also, it should be noted that India has had a solid non-proliferation record.
—Ramesh  Jethwani, Bangalore

III
The constant weak-kneed responses of the India government to each and every misdemeanor of China has emboldened it to such an extent that it had the audacity to ridicule India's nuclear capabilities in view of the long-range missile Agni V which was tested successfully on April 19. The people of India do
not understand why our political leadership and bureaucracy remain so frightened at the prospect of China getting angry that they do not dare criticise or oppose China strongly. It is a shame for us that smaller countries like Vietnam and Taiwan have shown more courage and determination while facing China than our own country with a one billion-plus population.
—Sanjiv Nigam, via email

V
Of what use is the Agni V to the common man? The launch of Agni V might keep the UPA and some scientists happy, but the prices of vegetables reached the skies before the Agni V. The ageing Union finance minister has just been reeling off some figures to say that the growth rate is healthy. But when the common man is not growing well due to undernourishment, of what use are Pranob Mukherjee's figures? Let us hope that the prices of vegetables comes down instead of Agni V coming down!
—MVN Raj, Bangalore

IV
The launch of Agni V could not have come at a more appropriate time when Indian defence capabilities are being questioned. It's a befitting reply to all the detractors who doubted India's combat readiness and had cast aspersions on its preparedness and its strength. Agni V which has potential competence to hit Beijing will no doubt go a long way in acting as a deterrent and may force better behaviour from its neighbours. India needs to maintain a constant vigil along China borders because of its aggressive attempts to make the Mizoram border issue 'disputed' by falsifying the facts. Agni V's addition to the army arsenal is a welcome inclusion and shall go a long way in enhancing India's image and establishing its credential as a future 'super power'.
—Ashok Goswami, via email

V
People may argue about the merits of such investments in weaponry but history shows again and again that a country becomes prey to a conqueror if it is militarily weak. Now the challenge before the DRDO is to operationalise the weapons systems of the AGNI V and the nuclear submarine project, and set up production in the quickest time frame so that our levels of deterrence are enhanced and any misadventures by inimical forces are neutralised.
—Devasis Chowdhury, Bangalore

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'Mumbai, the city with a one-track mind' (April 19) made an interesting reading. It felt nice knowing that the slum dwellers did their bit to help the stranded commuters. It was saddening that a problem in Central Railways created such a mess. Mumbai's population is set to touch the 33 million mark by 2030. We seriously need to think about developing and stressing on other modes of transport to cater to the demands of an ever-increasing population and not increase our dependence on local trains, the consequence of which we witnessed on Wednesday.
—Vatshal Bhanushali,
via email