Obsession for cricket
India’s love affair with cricket has reached a fever pitch. While national pride in the sport is natural, its unchecked influence is becoming increasingly problematic. A recent incident where Standard 9 students were physically punished for playing cricket in a classroom reveals how deeply the sport’s mania has infiltrated young minds – and how unprepared our institutions are to handle it. Cricket is everywhere – from TV advertisements to investment fund promotions. Cricketers enjoy mega contracts and mass visibility, while athletes from other disciplines fade into obscurity. This imbalance fosters a one-sport culture that not only stifles diversity in athletics but also shapes youth behaviour in unhelpful ways. Classrooms should be safe zones for learning and not makeshift pitches or arenas for corporal punishment. While discipline is vital, violence is never a solution. The real challenge lies in redirecting student enthusiasm constructively and encouraging wider sporting exposure. Advertising agencies must be urged to rethink their relentless cricket-centric campaigns. By spotlighting lesser-known sports and promoting balance, we can foster a more inclusive sporting culture. Cricket is undeniably cherished, but when it overshadows education and ethics, it is time for reflection. A game should unite and inspire, not distract and divide.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Claiming tax deductions
In the alternate Monday edition of NT, under the ‘Tax’ column, the respected chartered accountant V B Prabhu Verlekar answers questions on tax related topics. Recently, there were two interesting queries (NT June 30), one about a Delhi-based land developer, who wished to donate Rs 5 crore to the ruling party and a few lakhs to three others for having helped to convert large tracts of agricultural land into non-agricultural. The question was how to route the donations without any consequences. The other enquiry was by a junior engineer in the Public Works Department who had availed loan at a high interest from a co-operative credit society. This was towards payment of 12-month salary to acquire the job. S/he wished to know if tax benefits could be claimed on the interest payment. On March 24, a ‘matka’ bookie wished to know the process to pay taxes on an annual profit of Rs 25 lakh. Perhaps he wanted to free his guilt-ridden conscience and/or to escape from the long arms of the law. These questions, though read like spoofs, may be factual and reflect the ground realities. These may also be proofs that there are honest people who want to do their two bits for the country in their own little way. We are left to ponder over such happenings, whether these are unique to Goa or is it common elsewhere too.
Sridhar D. Iyer, Caranzalem
Policy rollback
The Delhi government has rescinded its order to scrap 6.2 million ‘end-of-life’ vehicles, which included petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel cars older than 10 years. The decision to roll back the policy, which began on July 1, 2025, came after significant public backlash and technical challenges such as non-functional ANPR cameras and issues with data integration. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on July 3, 2025, that the government would not impound these vehicles and has urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to suspend the fuel ban policy. Instead, the government plans to focus on scrapping only polluting vehicles, not those based solely on age. Many people have suffered huge losses by selling their 10/15 year old high-end cars at dirt cheap prices when the scrapping scheme was announced. Why is no policy announcement made after thinking things through, such ad hocism will hurt the public.
Rekha Sarin Trehan, Benaulim
British fighter jet in Kerala
An F-35 British Navy fighter jet made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport two weeks ago due to a technical fault. As transferring the American-made F35B, one of the world’s most expensive fighter jet, to the airport’s maintenance hangar was rejected by the Royal Navy, stating technical reasons, the fighter jet remains grounded in a space on the airport. Kerala Tourism, meanwhile, has used this aircraft as part of its advertisement. The creative and attractive advertisement says, “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.” In addition, the caption concludes with the ‘fighter jet’ giving a 5-star rating for Kerala in the ad. The advertisement has become viral for its creativity and humour and has caught the attention on social media. Meanwhile, Britain has stated that an expert team will soon arrive in Thiruvananthapuram to examine the problems of the fighter jet and if possible, airlift it to its destination.
M Pradyu, Kannur
