Worst World Cup finals!
Kudos to the Australians for winning the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup for the fifth time (‘Fairytale ending for Clarke’, Gulf News, March 30)! Right from the beginning they were one of the most favourite to win the trophy and they proved everyone right. Of course, the next favourite was South Africa, who, as usual, missed the bus at the semi-finals. No doubt New Zealand was the undefeated team until the finals, but could not touch the tape. They played the finals as a novice. The captain went for the shots from ball one and paid the price. New Zealand was no match for the champion team. Although, I feel this was the worst finals ever played in the World Cup.
From Mr N. Viswanathan
Chennai, India
An avoidable disaster, perhaps!
It is heart wrenching to know that 150 passengers lost their lives in the French Alps. The black box and the subsequent evidence revealed that the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, suffered from serious depression and was undergoing medical treatment. The doctor apparently had given him a sick note and Lubitz tore up the note to hide this from his employers. The big question is, why did his doctor not inform or send a copy to his employers, knowing the nature of his illness and the risks involved with such a responsible job? Another co-pilot could have taken his place in that flight on that day.
From Dr Utpal Kumar Kataky
UAE
A strange and sad tragedy
It is a relief to hear that investigations are ongoing for the crash of the Flight 4U 9525 in the French Alps that killed all 150 passengers and crew on board. As the probe gathered pace, the Interior Minister of France said investigations weren’t focusing on the possibility of a terrorist attack, but it was suspected that all the crew could have lost consciousness as well. Meanwhile, the professional pilot forum was doubtful that a structural failure was responsible for the crash; we need to always keep in mind that prevention is always better than cure.
Later, I was startled to read that the Germanwings pilot crashed the plane deliberately. It is unfortunate to hear that the young co-pilot deliberately crashed the plane after locking his captain out of the cockpit. If it is not a terrorist plot then this man was seriously disturbed. The screams of the passengers were not heard, which means they were all unaware of this. What the investigators said was that once the co-pilot locked himself in, he never spoke again and sent the plane into its fatal last dive. The ground control repeatedly tried to make contact, but he did not answer. One who goes through these lines can smell something is rotten somewhere. I think that the international community would like to know more behind this stranger-than-fiction story.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Kerala, India
What can we do?
I agree that this was negligent on the part of the doctor who was treating the young co-pilot and the airline management, who should have been well informed on the mental health of their employee. From what I know from other airlines, even receiving initial visits to a mental health specialist will leave a pilot grounded until it is investigated further. Often the tests given to pilots to be hired can be so thorough that even a person deemed mentally stable is not able to pass because a couple red-flags came up in their testing. So, how does this happen? When so many lives are put in such severe danger, how is this crucial piece missed? Even though I didn’t know anyone on the plane, this makes me very angry. Due to this oversight and lack of communication between doctor and employer, more than 150 people are now dead.
Throughout the past year, we have had to witness countless flaws in judgement and procedure on the part of airlines resulting in devastating plane crashes. In the meantime, fears among the general public are rising and there doesn’t seem to be much we can do about it. Fatal mistakes continue to occur and we are left in anger and fear.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Don’t risk others’ lives
I once lost a close relative in a motorcycle accident. He was not even riding the bike when the accident took place. He was waiting on the side of the road, and meant to warn motorists about a dangerous object on the road that they perhaps couldn’t see when driving. In the end, it resulted in his death. It was a two-way road and he saw a bike coming in the opposite direction in a zig-zag manner. There were three men on the bike and they were drunk, which we were told later. My cousin stopped the bike because of the danger on the road. Still, the bike sped on and hit him so badly that he lost his life on the way to the hospital. My colleague also lost his nephew in a bike accident, which happened in Dubai. He was a university student and was dropping a friend off on his bike. He was hit by a car near the World Trade Centre roundabout and was killed on the spot. Sometimes, it so happens that however safe you drive, a small mistake from another person results in a big loss in your life.
From Mr Ajeet Kumar S. Pillai
UAE
Change new rules!
This is in reference to the Indian team’s cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s views that the ICC should change the One Day International rules (‘Dhoni has no plans to quit ODIs immediately’, Gulf News, March 27). Not only Dhoni, but even past cricketers like Rahul Dravid, too, has recommended to a change to new rules to have an even contest between the bowlers and batsmen. In this World Cup we have seen that the number of sixes, fifteens and centuries have almost doubled when compared to the previous World Cups in 2007 and even 2011. Even double centuries have become the order of the day! If this rule continues, soon we may see triple hundreds and 500+ scores. With the advent of the T20 World Cup, the game has already turned out to be a batsmen’s paradise and a nightmare for the bowlers. Hence, it would be prudent on the part of the ICC to revert back to the old rules and give some teeth to the bowlers! Likewise, the ICC should also forget their plans to prune the number of teams, ignoring the associate members, with just 10 teams. While every other game is spreading worldwide, cricket is the only game, which is just played between a select number of nations.
From Mr Vinay Mahadevan
Dubai
Earth Hour often
Earth Hour, which took place a few days ago, is a global environmental movement that mobilises people worldwide to make a difference to our planet. We could make a bigger difference by having Earth Hour twice a year or celebrate it everyday in our own small way. We don’t need a specific day marked on the calendar to help Mother Nature. All we need is the desire and will to make a difference. Like the old saying goes: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”
From Ms Larisa Fernandes
UAE
Credit cards are good
The article on plastic money made for an interesting read, however I have a difference view on the matter (‘Don’t let plastic money play games with your mind’, Gulf News, March 28)
A person who exercises good financial discipline in life can gain substantial mileage from plastic money – credit cards. The following are what I see as major benefits that accrue from credit cards if we use it cleverly and with a bit of caution and security.
First off, it is safer than cash: you avoid the risk of fake notes, there is no need to carry huge amounts of cash for major purchases and you have peace of mind while shopping as you don’t need to worry whether you have enough cash.
Most of the shops these days accept credit cards. We use pin numbers and this is more secure. Well documented monthly statements give us a good analysis of our spending, thus keeping track of expenses. They can essentially act as a tool for budget management.
Credit card allows you the flexibility to make payments in instalments, thereby easing your monthly financial burden.
By using cash payments, we don’t benefit at all, while credit card payments give credit facility. Spending through credit cards can win us points and discounts, which can be either redeemed or can go to reduce your expenses and this is not possible through cash payments.
What is really important is that credit cards help us if there is an emergency situation and allows us to deal with matters without seeking assistance from others. Caution and precaution that you need to take while using the credit card.
From Mr Subramanian N.
UAE
Defeating world’s enemies
Nowadays, when I switch on the television or read a newspaper, my heart hurts to see all the innocent people being killed and the amount of fighting going on globally. There is a lot of hunger, thirst and lack of medical facilities. Children are robbed of their childhoods. I heard that the European and Arab leaders want to form a European-Arab alliance to increase the safety of their people. What about other countries?
We all need to help and try to solve the world’s problem as this is one planet we are all humans. Save the world from wars and disasters for our future generations before it’s too late. We need to work as one and countries should contribute military units with advanced weapons to defeat the world’s enemies.
From Mr Titus Dias
Muscat, Oman
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