Vox pop

It is appalling that the crash of the Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 on Monday at Uttarlai forward airbase in Barmer district, Rajasthan, has yet again earned the aircraft the dubious distinction of being ‘flying coffins’.

Our pilots cannot continue to fly on a wing and a prayer
It is appalling that the crash of the Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 on Monday at Uttarlai forward airbase in Barmer district, Rajasthan, has yet again earned the aircraft the dubious distinction of being ‘flying coffins’. It is tragic that this is the fifth crash involving a MiG plane this year. It’s time the IAF phased out the ageing Soviet era fighter planes and replaced them with indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. We have already lost several young IAF pilots and this is a crisis we really cannot afford. Any delay in procurement of new fighter planes can cost the air force dearly.
-SP Sharma, Mumbai

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Let’s return to real issues
With reference to the editorial By the politicians, for the people (Our Take, July 16), it is shameful that, at a time when the country is facing financial uncertainty and a falling rupee is escalating worries about the country’s current account deficit, our politicians are busy taking potshots at each other. While the UPA government has a lot of explaining to do about what it has done in its nine-year tenure, the BJP too needs to tell the voters about its agenda for the 2014 polls, besides stalling Parliament and attacking the government. The media should also stop playing into the hands of attention-mongering politicians.
-Pramod Srivastava, via email

The fears remain unaddressed
With reference to the report Kudan- kulam N-plant to attain criticality tonight (July 14), Tamil Nadu, reeling under power shortage, will breathe a sigh of relief once the Kudankulam plant begins power generation but unfortunately this has been done without allaying the fears of those living in the vicinity of the plant. Apprehensions about the discharge of effluents into the sea adversely affecting the marine life and destroying the rich fishing grounds still remain unaddressed. Moreover, unsafe disposal of nuclear waste may cause cancer and other health problems.
-Mridul Kakkar, Delhi

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