Chitra Subramaniam starts her piece with the question, Why did Bofors pay Q?, but fails to provide an answer to the million-dollar question (Smoking Guns..., May 7). She puts the responsibility squarely on governments back in Delhi. In that case, what did she achieve by interviewing the Swedish investigator?

T. Rao, Bangalore

The Bofors story is a simple one. India bought field howitzers from Sweden in 1986 for $1.2 billion. A supply contract worth almost twice that amount was also negotiated for transfer of technology, supply of documents and knowhow etc, so that we could become self-sufficient. This is exactly what Bofors, Sweden and the western world didn’t want. Knowhow and technology transfer would have been suicidal. So they preferred to sacrifice the customer.

Ajay Singh, Surat

As a first step, there should be a thorough inquiry as to why the drawings and documents for the gun have been gathering dust in the ordnance factories for over two decades and why no production was taken up despite India having spent so much. Now when the heat about criticality in ammo and guns is on—many from the public and private sector have come forward to manufacture the gun. But we should now be developing a gun system which lasts us for the next 25-30 years and incorporate features which can serve our specific requirements. We can possibly learn from the ultra-light M777 howitzer which uses titanium to cut down weight by almost half. Maybe the drdo, ordnance factories and the private sector can jointly work in the gun development team format to jumpstart the gun which had more smoke than fire.

Air Cmde (retd) Raghubir Singh, Pune

The Bofors story is a simple one. India bought field howitzers from Sweden in 1986 for a sum of $1.2 billion. A supply contract worth almost twice that amount was also negotiated for transfer of technology, supply of documents and knowhow, etc, so that we could become self-sufficient.

This is exactly what Bofors, Sweeden and the western world didnt wanted. Knowhow and technology transferwould have been suicidal for them. So they they preffered to sacrifice the customer.

Moot point is that we had paid $1.2 billions for the gun & almost equal amount for transfrer of technology & manufacturing drawings etc for its production which never happened. The drawings & documents have been gathering dust in Ordnace Factories for over two decades.As a first step there should be horough enquiry why no production was taken up inspite of having spent so much? Now when the heat about criticality in ammo & guns is on--many have from public & private sectors have come forward to mfr the gun.But we should now be developing gun system which lasts us for the next 25-30 years and it should incorporate latest features which would serve our specific requirements.We can possibly learn from the ultra light M777 howitzer which uses titanium to cut down weight by almosdt half. May be DRDO, Ordnance factorires and private sector can jointly work in the Gun Development team format to give jump start to the gun which had more smoke than fire?

CSD Ma'am, the answer is simple, without the payout , no deal would have been possible, however good the quality of the armament & ammunition was. (It works the other way round too, if the commission was good, even sub-standard equipment would have been fine.) The power-to-be either got a cut for his friend (great spirit of camarderie) or got a cut from his friend (in which case the buddy was just a mere facilitator).

The clear facts are the blatant cover-ups and the intransigience of successive governments (incuding the prsent opposition) in dealing with the matter in a proper manner.

The order for the arms was pulicised around late '85 - early '86 and the deal completed in late '86 (a few months after I was born). I'm nearly 26 & this controversy has'nt see to die down ... hope it does'nt hitthe headlines still when my son is 25 ... LOL

The whole thing boils down to only one thing, viz. protecting a 'G'. Minus a 'G' one political party reduces to a zero or many many zeroes. But the truth is evident. We are ruled by totally corrupt Congress party. The other parties may not be able to compepte with Congress, especially in the corruption matters. They are never interested in finding out the truth. They think that "Asataymeva Jayate!" only to face more and more humiliation.

The party which fought for independence is long dead along with Lalbahadur Sastry. The gangrene started and now had spread into all fields including the other parties. Unless this gangrene is removed, there is no remedy. Total decay and demise of values in politics. The dim rays of hope are like Anna Hazares! 

>>>>That photo which was in most papers,showing Rajiv,Sonia and Quattrocchi and his wife standing in waters at Lakshadweep islands answers as to why Q was allowed to go scot free.
 

That still does not explain why the subsequent VP government/ Deve Gowda /Chandrashekar Government and the BJP government were not able to come up with anything incriminating.

http://italpolblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/corruption-italian-style-2012.html

The party taking place in a beautiful flat overlooking one of the most beautiful squares in the world was hosted by a convicted felon who had just served a six year sentence for corruption in that very flat. The sentence-beginner “only in Italy…” is over used, but "surely only in Italy", could there be such a blatant manifestation of the inequity of the administration of justice and politics; at least in the democratic world which purports to respect the rule of law........

The convict in question is Cesare Previti, a pit-bull lawyer, now 77, who has looked after Silvio Berlusconi’s interests for 40 years.......

Transparency international puts Italy at 69th place with the same score as Ghana and Macedonia.

No wonder Q has all trappings of shady NRI ( *Non Resident Italian). Just go thru the blog spot and what a misfortune for India to have this new breed of *NRIs".

Rewritng the above sentence as India  means Q can go scot free like Cesare Previti

but "surely only in Italy (India)", could there be such a blatant manifestation of the inequity of the administration of justice and politics; at least in the democratic world which purports to respect the rule of law.........

Its bye bye to Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai, it all NRI -*NRI bhai bahen

 The most unfortunate part of the whole episode is that the BOFORS is an excellent Gun. Unfortunate because for no fault of the Gun the name got needlessly maligned. Let us not forget that during May 1999 it was this Gun proved its worth in Indo-Pak Kargil War.

Only thing to wait for is the inclusion of the word 'bofors' in the Oxford English Dictionary, if it has not been done already.

 Hats off to Chitra. Not only she uncovered the 'greatest scam' in Indian political history, she has done every bit to keep the scam alive. If some people keep the ghosts of Modi (again) alive then some keep Bofors alive. It is simply politics and every one has a vested interest including the whistle blowers and those who report the whistling sound. 

Had Indian Courts acted "promptly" to send all the BOFORS LOOTERS to jail like they did to BJP leader Mr BANGARU LAXMAN, all other LOOTS like CWG, 2G, ISRO, COAL-GATE, TATRA, ADARSH etc etc would have not occured. But - alas, a man who takes ONE LAKH Rs kick back can not buy the system and will land in jail while people who LOOT in CRORES buys out everyone to ENJOY THE LOOT. 

 Gen V K Singh has recently complained that his army tanks lack ammunition for training. We can only hope that the Bofors at least are working well, and not rusting in the sun for lack of ammunition or spare parts! 

 How many millions or billions did India spend on the Bofors investigation? At one time, Q was held in a Latin American country - Argentina or Brazil? - on an Interpol warrant. Indian agents failed to go there and take him into custody!! But the CBI continued its vigorous investigations for a few more years. It is just an excuse to spend billions of taxpayer money and have a good time and secure career - that's the only logical conclusion one can come to.

Who got Q's account in UK unfrozen for a few days enabling him to withdraw the money and then freeze the account again !

MMS is not only a servant of the Indo Italian family (mafia), he is also a crook and rightfully belongs in prison.

 How dare we accuse Shri Shri 108 Rajiv Gandhi?

That photo which was in most papers,showing Rajiv,Sonia and Quattrocchi and his wife standing in waters at Lakshadweep islands answers as to why Q was allowed to go scot free.

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=760946

Bangaru Laxman gets jial term for 1 lakh Rs bribe, is the news item.

Q as Chitra has put very rightly , why did Bofors pay Q? Why  was Q protected by all parties.? Are we so ghulam to westerners, that 1 lakh looks bigger than Q's crores? 

VP Singh and Thelka are the biggest gadders and betrayers of the Nation.One wanted PMship -got but could not retain for couple of months and the other fortified with funds from Political Party back stabbed the Nation with inducements to Army Generals with gold chains or booze or girls or money.
These Thelka men come on TV and say valiantly that they did the yeoman services to the Nation.
Yes Not India but Pakistan .

( amended)

'Bofors saga: The cover-up of a cover-up : B R Raman

Rajiv got directly involved in what seemed a cover-up exercise -- chairing the strategy sessions in his office or house every day -- and got himself tied up in knots. By doing so, he created a strong suspicion in the minds of the public that his own hands were not clean.

The CBI mounted an elaborate charade of an investigation -- with its then head and senior investigators roaming all over Europe creating an impression of a determined and serious investigation, whereas it was not an investigation, but an orchestrated non-investigation to prevent the truth from coming out.

The Bofors saga brought out -- like the Emergency did between 1975 and 77 -- how the intelligence agencies were willing and even keen to let themselves be used by the political leadership in order to increase their importance and value in the eyes of the political leadership.
But a massive cover-up was there in which the heads and others officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation at the front and the Research and Analysis Wing and the Intelligence Bureau in the rear as well as some of the officers in the Prime Minister's Office, who were close confidantes of Rajiv, played an active role.'

www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-bofors-saga-the-cover-up-of-a-cover-up/20120426.htm

We havewasted lot of time ,money and destroyed our Defnce Armaments procurement for the last 25 years and have brought the Nation on its knees where even characters like Hafiz Sayeed sends his killers regularly in our Country and then shows us the thumbs ' Kaya kar loge ?? "

Total amount was 128 crores .Out of which as rumoured 64 Crores went to Q .But Country paid and is still paying a very big price .As being out gunned we as a Nation can't retaliate .Our PM rushes to Shermal Sheikh with requests to Pak PM please stop this further and signs the paper whatever  Pak drafts.

VP Singh and Thelka are the biggest gaddars and betrayers of the Nation.One wanted PMship -got but could not lost for coule of months and the other fortified with funds from Political Party the Nation with inducemnts to Army Generals with gold chains or booze or girls.

And Indians are killed like flies by the Islamic Terrorists without the retaliation from the Nation due these two .
India is paying the worst costs for the greed of these two Jaichands for the last 25 yrs ! And will further pay for how many more years only God knows !

'Bofors saga: The cover-up of a cover-up : B R Raman

Rajiv got directly involved in what seemed a cover-up exercise -- chairing the strategy sessions in his office or house every day -- and got himself tied up in knots. By doing so, he created a strong suspicion in the minds of the public that his own hands were not clean.

The CBI mounted an elaborate charade of an investigation -- with its then head and senior investigators roaming all over Europe creating an impression of a determined and serious investigation, whereas it was not an investigation, but an orchestrated non-investigation to prevent the truth from coming out.

The Bofors saga brought out -- like the Emergency did between 1975 and 77 -- how the intelligence agencies were willing and even keen to let themselves be used by the political leadership in order to increase their importance and value in the eyes of the political leadership.
But a massive cover-up was there in which the heads and others officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation at the front and the Research and Analysis Wing and the Intelligence Bureau in the rear as well as some of the officers in the Prime Minister's Office, who were close confidantes of Rajiv, played an active role.'

www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-bofors-saga-the-cover-up-of-a-cover-up/20120426.htm

We havewasted lot of time ,money and destroyed our Defnce Armaments procurement for the last 25 years and have brought the Nation on its knees where even characters like Hafiz Sayeed sends his killers regularly in our Country and then shows us the thumbs ' Kaya kar loge ?? "

Total amount was 128 crores .Out of which as rumoured 64 Crores went to Q .But Country paid and is still paying a very big price .As being out gunned we as a Nation can't retaliate .Our PM rushes to Shermal Sheikh with requests to Pak PM please stop this further and signs the paper whatever  Pak drafts.

VP Singh and Thelka are the biggest gaddars and betrayers of the Nation.One wanted PMship -got but could not lost for coule of months and the other fortified with funds from Political Party the Nation with inducemnts to Army Generals with gold chains or booze or girls.

And Indians are killed like flies by the Islamic Terrorists without the retaliation from the Nation due these two .
India is paying the worst costs for the greed of these two Jaichands for the last 25 yrs ! And will further pay for how many more years only God knows !

VP Singh and Thelka are the biggest gadders and betrayers of the Nation.One wanted PMship -got but could not retain for couple of months and the other fortified with funds from Political Party back stabbed the Nation with inducements to Army Generals with gold chains or booze or girls or money.
These Thelka men come on TV and say valiantly that they did the yeoman services to the Nation.
Yes Not India but Pakistan .

( amended)

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=760946

Bangaru Laxman gets jial term for 1 lakh Rs bribe, is the news item.

Q as Chitra has put very rightly , why did Bofors pay Q? Why  was Q protected by all parties.? Are we so ghulam to westerners, that 1 lakh looks bigger than Q's crores? 

That photo which was in most papers,showing Rajiv,Sonia and Quattrocchi and his wife standing in waters at Lakshadweep islands answers as to why Q was allowed to go scot free.

 How dare we accuse Shri Shri 108 Rajiv Gandhi?

Who got Q's account in UK unfrozen for a few days enabling him to withdraw the money and then freeze the account again !

MMS is not only a servant of the Indo Italian family (mafia), he is also a crook and rightfully belongs in prison.

 How many millions or billions did India spend on the Bofors investigation? At one time, Q was held in a Latin American country - Argentina or Brazil? - on an Interpol warrant. Indian agents failed to go there and take him into custody!! But the CBI continued its vigorous investigations for a few more years. It is just an excuse to spend billions of taxpayer money and have a good time and secure career - that's the only logical conclusion one can come to.

 Gen V K Singh has recently complained that his army tanks lack ammunition for training. We can only hope that the Bofors at least are working well, and not rusting in the sun for lack of ammunition or spare parts! 

Had Indian Courts acted "promptly" to send all the BOFORS LOOTERS to jail like they did to BJP leader Mr BANGARU LAXMAN, all other LOOTS like CWG, 2G, ISRO, COAL-GATE, TATRA, ADARSH etc etc would have not occured. But - alas, a man who takes ONE LAKH Rs kick back can not buy the system and will land in jail while people who LOOT in CRORES buys out everyone to ENJOY THE LOOT. 

 Hats off to Chitra. Not only she uncovered the 'greatest scam' in Indian political history, she has done every bit to keep the scam alive. If some people keep the ghosts of Modi (again) alive then some keep Bofors alive. It is simply politics and every one has a vested interest including the whistle blowers and those who report the whistling sound. 

Only thing to wait for is the inclusion of the word 'bofors' in the Oxford English Dictionary, if it has not been done already.

 The most unfortunate part of the whole episode is that the BOFORS is an excellent Gun. Unfortunate because for no fault of the Gun the name got needlessly maligned. Let us not forget that during May 1999 it was this Gun proved its worth in Indo-Pak Kargil War.

http://italpolblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/corruption-italian-style-2012.html

The party taking place in a beautiful flat overlooking one of the most beautiful squares in the world was hosted by a convicted felon who had just served a six year sentence for corruption in that very flat. The sentence-beginner “only in Italy…” is over used, but "surely only in Italy", could there be such a blatant manifestation of the inequity of the administration of justice and politics; at least in the democratic world which purports to respect the rule of law........

The convict in question is Cesare Previti, a pit-bull lawyer, now 77, who has looked after Silvio Berlusconi’s interests for 40 years.......

Transparency international puts Italy at 69th place with the same score as Ghana and Macedonia.

No wonder Q has all trappings of shady NRI ( *Non Resident Italian). Just go thru the blog spot and what a misfortune for India to have this new breed of *NRIs".

Rewritng the above sentence as India  means Q can go scot free like Cesare Previti

but "surely only in Italy (India)", could there be such a blatant manifestation of the inequity of the administration of justice and politics; at least in the democratic world which purports to respect the rule of law.........

Its bye bye to Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai, it all NRI -*NRI bhai bahen

>>>>That photo which was in most papers,showing Rajiv,Sonia and Quattrocchi and his wife standing in waters at Lakshadweep islands answers as to why Q was allowed to go scot free.
 

That still does not explain why the subsequent VP government/ Deve Gowda /Chandrashekar Government and the BJP government were not able to come up with anything incriminating.

The whole thing boils down to only one thing, viz. protecting a 'G'. Minus a 'G' one political party reduces to a zero or many many zeroes. But the truth is evident. We are ruled by totally corrupt Congress party. The other parties may not be able to compepte with Congress, especially in the corruption matters. They are never interested in finding out the truth. They think that "Asataymeva Jayate!" only to face more and more humiliation.

The party which fought for independence is long dead along with Lalbahadur Sastry. The gangrene started and now had spread into all fields including the other parties. Unless this gangrene is removed, there is no remedy. Total decay and demise of values in politics. The dim rays of hope are like Anna Hazares! 

CSD Ma'am, the answer is simple, without the payout , no deal would have been possible, however good the quality of the armament & ammunition was. (It works the other way round too, if the commission was good, even sub-standard equipment would have been fine.) The power-to-be either got a cut for his friend (great spirit of camarderie) or got a cut from his friend (in which case the buddy was just a mere facilitator).

The clear facts are the blatant cover-ups and the intransigience of successive governments (incuding the prsent opposition) in dealing with the matter in a proper manner.

The order for the arms was pulicised around late '85 - early '86 and the deal completed in late '86 (a few months after I was born). I'm nearly 26 & this controversy has'nt see to die down ... hope it does'nt hitthe headlines still when my son is 25 ... LOL

Moot point is that we had paid $1.2 billions for the gun & almost equal amount for transfrer of technology & manufacturing drawings etc for its production which never happened. The drawings & documents have been gathering dust in Ordnace Factories for over two decades.As a first step there should be horough enquiry why no production was taken up inspite of having spent so much? Now when the heat about criticality in ammo & guns is on--many have from public & private sectors have come forward to mfr the gun.But we should now be developing gun system which lasts us for the next 25-30 years and it should incorporate latest features which would serve our specific requirements.We can possibly learn from the ultra light M777 howitzer which uses titanium to cut down weight by almosdt half. May be DRDO, Ordnance factorires and private sector can jointly work in the Gun Development team format to give jump start to the gun which had more smoke than fire?

The Bofors story is a simple one. India bought field howitzers from Sweden in 1986 for a sum of $1.2 billion. A supply contract worth almost twice that amount was also negotiated for transfer of technology, supply of documents and knowhow, etc, so that we could become self-sufficient.

This is exactly what Bofors, Sweeden and the western world didnt wanted. Knowhow and technology transferwould have been suicidal for them. So they they preffered to sacrifice the customer.