Ban on teams too lenient
I agree that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is indeed one of the most popular cricket tournaments and it probably will continue to be so for a long time (“IPL is a league of the masses for the masses”, Gulf News, April 10). What bothers me though, is that the two teams that were banned, are back. What is the guarantee that they would not indulge in the same conduct as they did, earlier? If a player can be banned for eight years, then teams should be, too. In a small league game, there was a minimum of a five-year ban for cricketer Mohammad Amir, for spot fixing. Indian cricketer Sreesanth was banned for life, as well. So, why are Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) getting away with a two-year ban? I am not justifying what the players did, but come to think of it, these are young lads who got carried away, when they were offered large sums of money. However, franchises like CSK and RR are owned by rich individuals and companies, so I believe they should have been banned for life. I am a huge cricket fan and seldom miss any match when India plays, but I wouldn’t lose sleep if I miss any or all of the IPL matches.
From Mr Anup Hegde
UAE
A great start
What a beginning to Indian Premier League (IPL) season 11, especially for the two new captains, Ravichandran Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik from Tamil Nadu, India (“Billings and Watson help Chennai beat Kolkata in the Indian Premier League”, Gulf News, April 11). While Gautam Gambir, of the Delhi Daredevils, played as we expected by leading from the front, the real massacre was by K. L. Rahul, who created a record, scoring 50 runs in just 16 balls. He managed to set up a win for Kings XI Punjab. I am sure members of Royal Challengers Bangalore must be regretting their mistake in dismissing Rahul. Likewise, though Brendon McCullum was on fire and scored more than 40 runs, and set up a healthy score of 176, it was the turn of Sunil Narain to score a 50 in 19 balls to take the wind out of Virat Kohli and his team. Of course, Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Karthik was there to ensure that there was no hiccup in scoring an unbeaten 35. It seems this IPL season will see more and more interesting close ties.
From Mr N. Viswanathan
India
Justice is pending
My heart is breaking for the Syrian people (“Israel strikes ‘Syria military airport’”, Gulf News, April 10). To those who are fighting for their lives, may God guide them and always keep them away from danger. May they find justice and peace.
From Ms Ana Rosanna B. Onte
UAE
Facebook comment
Let life continue
No doubt, the common man is agitated about the reluctance of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to form the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and help farmers (“Security beefed up for CSK tie in Chennai”, Gulf News, April 10). At the same time, it pains me to see a whole week of disturbances and destruction of public property in my home state. It is foolish of these parties to stop the running of trains and buses, especially for long distance trips, which the public would have planned in advance. In fact, all political parties should have called for a single day ‘bandh’ (strike) and political leaders should have continued their agitation by going on an indefinite fast in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Marina Beach, Chennai. Normal life should have been allowed to continue in the state.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
India
Inhumane actions
The bizarre incident of the father chaining his daughter in Fujairah was a cause for worry (“Father arrested for chaining and assaulting daughter, 19”, Gulf News, April 5). The girl was tortured for no fault of hers. The nasty detail, of him chaining and beating the young girl, is really something unheard of in civilised society, during present times. The police, I am sure, will investigate the matter and come out with details to prevent such a recurrence. I would like to recall the words of the famous poet Kahlil Gibran: ‘Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you’. I hope wisdom prevails, the parents reconcile, and erase these horrid memories from the child’s mind so she can have a fresh start in life.
From Mr Murugesh S. S. Sivam
Dubai
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders
