Demeaning honour
Saina Nehwal, Olympic medal holder and talented badminton player, has lambasted the Sports Ministry for ignoring her for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award. Though we are proud of her performance, her bronze medal win was more by default. She lost her first round and first point in the second round when her rival had to leave midway due to some injuryDemanding an honour is demeaning the honour.
Satwant Kaur, Amritsar
Lobbying for award
If Sushil Kumar's name is recommended for Padma Bhushan after having been decorated with Padma Shri in the past, there is a justified reason. He won a silver medal in London Olympics after having won bronze in the previous Olympics and became the first athlete to have won two different medals in two Olympics in an individual event. That is not the case with Saina. She has won only a bronze in the Olympics. Such lobbying is a matter of concern.
Bhartendu Sood, via email
Status lowered
By demanding the Padma Bhushan award, Saina Nehwal has lowered her status. She has let down her fans. She should concentrate on her game and awards would naturally follow. Playing badminton is her profession and she is being paid for in every tournament.
KL SETHI, Panchkula
Don’t bend
The goverment should not have bowed to Saina Nehwal’s demand for the Padma Bhushan . This will lower the credibility of the honour and many more will rise to claim the awards.
Ashima Kohli, via email
Might is right?
It was heartening to know that Saina Nehwal's name has been considered for the Padma Bhushan award. Saina, an ace badmintin player, is a deserving candidate like Sushil Kumar. But the sad part is that she had to fight for her right. But this is the best way to get things done in our country. The same yard sticks should apply to the Sarita Devi episode. The only thing that went against the boxer was that she belonged to a poor third world country. Had she been from the USA, UK or another advanced country, such a situation would not have risen. The only principle on which the world works is might is right.
Dr Rishi Pal Gupta, Kurukshetra
Dhoni unsung hero
MS Dhoni is has been one of the architects who helped the Indian cricket team reach the number one position in Test cricket. His unorthodox batting style has been under fire since he first burst into limelight. Behind the wickets, he hardly missed anything. His stats are better than those of his contemporaries like Matt Prior Haddin, Boucher who have scored poorly than him on their soils. His poor captaincy record overseas might have tainted his wonderful career. However, his contribution for India has undoubtedly been immense. When he bid adieu, he deserved a grand farewell.
Gitesh Gupta, Hamirpur
Captain Cool
To call it a day in Test cricket is a hot decision of Captain Cool. The decision is his and it should be welcomed. MS Dhoni has given his best to the game by winning all trophies at stake in the world. This record of his will be difficult to emulate. Everything comes to an end and so has the innings of MSD.
Gurdeep Singh, Dharampur
Dhoni's decision right
MS Dhoni took the decision to retire from Test cricket at the right time. He has left Test cricket at the peak of his career. Now, he can concentrate on the one-day and 20-20 formats.
RANJOT GREWAL, Malerkotla
Kudos to Dhoni
MS Dhoni's decision to retire from Test cricket has astonished everyone. Dhoni has won many laurels. He is the first wicket-keeper in India to take on captaincy, the first captain to win seven high grade matches in a row, the first goalkeeper in football who turned wicket-keeper, and the first captain who has announced sudden retirement.
Jatinderbir Nanda, Ludhaina
Surprise move
MS Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket has come as a huge surprise and is a very nostalgic moment for his ardent fans like me. The below-average results achieved by Dhoni in overseas Tests are not the true reflection of him as a player and his unmatched commitment towards the game and his country.
His contribution to Indian cricket is unforgettable and immense as he led India to supremacy in all three formats of the game: one-day, Test and T20 cricket. His calm demeanour will surely be missed.
Karan Gupta, Chandigarh
Be cool, Virat
MS Dhoni has decided to retire from Test cricket and now Virat Kohli will lead the Indian team. It has been seen that Virat Kohli is often provoked on the field and indulges in arguments with the players of the opposite team. Now, as a leader of the team, he would be advised to take a cue from his predecessor Dhoni on how to remain cool on and off the field.
Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana
Daily train to Nanded
There is an urgent need for a daily train from Punjab to Nanded Sahib. The weekly train at present is fully booked within one minute of the start of booking. Standing in queues at railway stations for tickets too goes in vain.
Gurpreet Singh, Patiala
Toll gone, road gone
Commuters rejoiced as the toll booths on the Phagwara-Ropar highway were lifted in September 2014, leading to a toll-less, hassle-free journey. But the joy was short-lived as the road has started withering, potholes are getting larger. The promises of making an expressway between Mohali and Phagwara too seem a distant dream now.
Dr. Bikram Singh Virk, Kapurthala
J&K poll results
In J&K, the Hindu-dominated Jammu backed the saffron party whereas the Muslim-dominated Kashmir supported the PDP in the Assembly elections. The results prove that communalism is at play in the state and that Muslims feel that the BJP is opposed to Islam.
SOURAV MIDDHA, Mansa
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