Cricket is cancer?

Himchal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh says that cricket has been reduced to gambling. Commenting on the BCCI conducting cricket matches, Anil K. Jaswal writes that England, Australia and India are colonising the game (April 16).

Some time back, I found some foreigners discussing cricket as a sport. A Chinese said, “Indians are mad for this game. Pakistanis play it only to divert Indians’ attention from its borders being occasionally invaded by the former’s forces. The game and the territorial disputes help the Chinese grab disputed parts of the territory.” An American said, “Obsessively addictive cricket is a cancer amongst the Commonwealth people. It helps America sell its products at premium to people wasting time in cricketing countries.”

Although Shakespeare has said that nothing is good or bad, thinking makes it so; the question remains whether cricket is a  cancerous disease!

K.L. Noatay, Shimla

Spaniards, soccer giants

The Spaniards’ emergence as soccer giants is confirmed. They are current world and European champions and to cap it all, it will be an all-Spanish affair in this year’s UEFA Champions League finals. The way Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid have decimated and toyed with their much-fancied opponents in the semifinals gives strength to the view that the days of Latin American and German dominance are almost over. The Spaniards are here to stay and are hot favourites for the World Cup.

Dhiraj Trikha, Bhiwani

Sportsmen, unite

One feels disheartened by the plight of sportspersons. A young prospect is made to suffer because of physical injury. All present and former sports people should form an association and get it registered. Whenever there is a complication, they should speak in one voice. If they put their opinion unitedly, it will be effective. Otherwise, only God can save them.

Anil Kumar Jaswal, Gagret (Una)

Passing the buck

In Machhiwara, all major roads, including the Rahon road, Samrala road and Kohara road are under construction for the last 12, eight and six months, respectively. When I contacted the SE, national highways, at 0161-2420003, I was told to contact the SE PWD B & R at 0161-2420262. This department told me contact the XEN at 0161-2420082. They told me to contact the SDO field officer, Khanna, at 98145-06842 and the XEN at 98550-76068, but both these officers do not receive my call. Then I tried to contact the Khanna JE at 98144-35688, but even he did not receive my call.

The officers are just harassing the common man.

Ravinder Jeet Singh, Ludhiana

Harness solar energy

Many changes in climate have been felt due to the rising level of CO2, due to the burning of wheat stubble, growth of thermal plants driven by coal, emission of burning of petrol by vehicles and many other pollutants. Global-warming is happening, leading to the melting of glaciers, which are raising the level of seawater and larger coastal coverage etc. Germany, China and many western countries have developed renewable solar plants to check further pollution.

In India, Rajasthan has planned a big solar plant to save of energy. Punjab should also go in for solar plants, rather than thermal plants to meet the challenges.

Cars driven by solar energy and battery power should be manufactured.

YL Chopra, Bathinda