THIS refers to the article ‘Dumbed down deliberately’ (Aug 5) which dwelled upon certain aspects of Pakistan’s chronic governance, educational and financial problems. It then deviated to India’s space programme and heaped praise on the world’s so-called largest democracy.

One should know how India reached the present stage, which, according to the said article, “elevated India to the world’s top four space faring nations”. It is a globally known fact that the main component of India’s moon mission, the cryogenic engine, and its fuel are of Russian origin, its telescope is of Polish origin, and its remote-controlled vehicle is of American origin. India’s only contribution is assembling of different parts and giving it a name inspired by Hindutva ideology.

Ironically, people are prone to be carried away by some hollow claims. Just look at the other side of India, where it still has huge slums across the land. According to a United Nations survey, almost 60 per cent households in India do not have toilets, forcing people to use railway tracks, footpaths, even the greenbelts for the purpose. In India, there are still millions of people who do not have access to electricity. About 30pc of the world’s poorest of the poor live in India.

All these are hard, cold, undeniable facts, and one must think twice before getting fascinated by the lunar mission.

Abid Mahmud Ansari
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2023