O J's Corner : Reflections

How prepared are we to face a nuclear attack?

Going by the total unpreparedness, we are living with uncertainty about facing a nuclear attack.

We have neighbours, particularly Pakistan, which has made it clear that it won’t mind using a nuclear weapon against India.

At the same time, India has made it clear that it would not go in for first use of nuclear weapon against any country.

We know that Pakistan is a volatile country, mesmerised by religious bigotry. President Musharraf may be listening to the advice of President Bush. We may not know when a religious fanatic would catch hold of the reins and threaten India.

We are slowly gravitating towards the U S, which is the only super-power, in spite of India having been very close to the former Soviet Union. That time is past. The India-U S nuclear pact testifies to the special relationship we have forged with the US. This is not liked by Pakistan as it thinks its predominance with the US is ebbing away.

Iran is attempting to go nuclear. With the sort of help it has received from rogue scientists or even certain nations, Iran is moving heaven and earth to make nuclear weapons, even in the face of stiff opposition from the U S.

India had voted against Iran in the International Nuclear Energy Agency twice, perhaps going by the advice of the US. Iran does not mince words to convey the message to India that the old camaraderie is no more.

Pak’s nuclear arsenal sitting pretty close to India, and that too belligerently, Iran not amiable with India, North Korea inclined to be opposed to anyone pro-American, Islamic fundamentalists having a nexus world over and proximity to Israel, the sworn enemy of Islam all underscore the fact that it is high time India be prepared to face a nuclear attack.

It is positive thinking and diplomatic prudence in the analysis of world affairs that nuclear weapons are for safe keeping. But there are perverted minds the world over these days. They don’t care anything about etiquette, human rights or the cataclysmic consequences of a nuclear attack. They don’t mind their own people getting burnt out.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has come out with a report asking the government to spell out a scheme by which we can withstand a nuclear attack. The threat perception has been viewed very seriously.

The army has set up nuclear quick reaction teams in all commands. There would be a special unit of the kind in Delhi, being the capital. They will be armed with special equipment anti-nuke gear.

An Armed Forces Institute of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection has been set up.

The knowledge acquired by the personnel is being disseminated everywhere and skills of nuclear, biological and chemical protection are being imparted to people.

I consider all these contemplated steps as officialese. We should have underground safety rooms, tunnels and a large number of anti-nuke gear supplied to the people.

People should be taught about the quick pace of evacuation and movement towards safe places. There can be umpteen number of safety measures. The important thing is to equip ourselves for the worst. India is no more a minuscule democracy. It is going to be an economic giant, poverty notwithstanding. We have to think big to protect ourselves.