Kumble keep it up !

Sir,

This has reference to the news item 'wicket No 435 only a milestone' published in the Daily Excelsior on Dec 11.2004.

Anil Kumble deserves appreciation for breaking Kapil Paaji's record for most test wickets by Indian bowler. It was due to preseverance and dedication that Anil showed towards this game that he achieved this feat. He is right when he says ''It is the constant discovery of new facets to bowling and cricket that makes it so memorable'' Really it has been a long and eventful Journey for him since he made his debut at Old Trafford in 1990.

One more thing that has endare him to the cricket fans is his non-controversial role in the game. He has remained unassuring throughout his career. That is why he has earned admiration not only from his captains but also his savage critics. He has remain focussed totally in the game.

Hope, he will keep his tempo going on.

Yours etc...
Vinay Gupta
Kanak Mandi
Jammu

Pesticides and Health

Sir,

Over last few decades we have made huge strides in the field of agriculture. These can mainly be attributed to the so called green revolution. India has achieved self sufficiency in the production of food grains but there has been a filip side to it which largely went unnoticed. The quest for mechnized agriculture necessiated a heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which pose a great challenge for man & his environment.

The fact is that man has acquired the habit of playing with nature inorder to exploit it for his selfish ends. We are after short term gains and we do not know that we are paying heavy price for this short term vision. We have developed greed to squeeze out all that is given by the earth.

The only solution for sustaining our coming generations from the ill effects of these chemicals is to alter our agriculture activities to a more pro-nature practices. We have inherited our healthy natural resources from our forefathers but what will we leave behind for our future generations? The use of chemicals and pesticides for the growth of production is a matter of concern for all of us. As a matter of fact incidences of various diseases in the present situation has stunned us that are mainly caused by the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The incidence of cancer, kidney failure, asthma and skin problems and even diseases of digestive track seem to be increasing.

This scenario puts a big question mark on so called agriculture revolution in our country. The present day highly mechanized system of agriculture has created a great environmental hazard posing a great threat to the animal kingdom. The persistent organic pollutant in the environment resist break down by natural process for long period of time. Pesticides are tonic whose purpose is to kill living things. They can kill human beings as well. Some pesticides have been banned in India but they can continue to flow in the market. Pesticides are a major cause of poisoning in rural farming communities. Impacts of the pesticides & chemical fertilizers on the health of women & children are of great concern.

Yours etc...
S N Raina
H No. 5/12 Swaran Vihar
Jammu.