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On USS Nimitz

The UPA government has come in for sharp criticism from the Left parties for permitting the U.S.’ nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, to drop anchor off the Chennai port. It is what the U.S. warship represents that deserves to be condemned. It has taken part in the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and is the symbol of U.S. expansionism and intimidation. The U.S., it appears, is trying to rope in India for its strategic designs in Asia. The protests are a warning to the UPA government not to acquiesce in the U.S. designs.

Ki. Ilakkuvan,
Chennai

* * *

The USS Nimitz is not the first nuclear-powered vessel to visit Indian waters. A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and a submarine, both belonging to France, visited India for a joint naval exercise off the Goa coast in 2004. Would the U.S. government expose the crew and the city of San Diego, the Nimitz’s home port, to radiation risks?

Karthikeyan Viswanathan,
Chennai

* * *

Those protesting the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carrier on the ground that it poses radiation risks are being unreasonable. The Indian Navy has operated nuclear-powered submarines earlier that docked at various naval facilities in our country. India has many nuclear warheads that are probably dispersed across the country. Nuclear medicine facilities that carry with them the possible risk of radiation are available at many places. The government has already satisfied itself about the safety aspects. The protests are more political in nature rather than the outcome of genuine fears.

Subramanyam Sridharan,
Chennai

* * *

The contrasting pictures of the Left leaders protesting against the arrival of USS Nimitz and the crew of the warship engaged in cleaning garbage speak volumes about the state of affairs in our country. How often do we come across the Left parties and their cadres engaging in such useful work as the crew of the USS Nimitz?

Dominic Ayyanikkatt,
Karur

* * *

In the 60th year of independence, do we need the services of the crew of the largest nuclear warship belonging to a country halfway round the globe to help us keep our children’s playgrounds and beaches clean? What message does such ‘assistance’ convey to the world at large? Political parties should introspect.

K. Balakesari,
Chennai

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