It was  inspiring news to read about an 85 year old lady running eight kilometres in a training course every morning “South Africa’s record-breaking running “Grand Dame” going strong at 85” (THT, July 4, Page 1).

Is it not encouraging that an 85 years old lady, a world record holder from Johannesburg suburbs, running a half marathon in just over two hours in her later life? In May, she was invited to compete in Switzerland where she completed a half-marathon in two hours five minutes, setting a world record for her age group. She has no intention of slowing down in the days to come.

THT deserves appreciation for bringing out such a motivating news on its first page. Fast walking and light jogging in the morning for about an hour is the best exercise to burn excess calorie, say physicians. This will help to stabilize the blood pressure and lower blood sugar level. For this, one should be equipped with proper walking/jogging shoes and attires. Pollution free environment is the most desirable element for joggers.

However, it has been acute problem for people residing in urban areas where the air pollution is very high. Kathmandu is becoming one of the most polluted cities in the world. Due to lack of proper planning of the government for the metropolitan city, people are suffering heavily from respiratory problems. Open spaces have almost disappeared due to rapid urbanization.

In the next few years, Kathmandu people suffering from lung diseases will significantly increase according to Tropical Disease Control Hospital, Teku if the government does not immediately take any measures to control the growing air pollution.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Depression

Very often the reason that causes our depression is a grave and genuine one. Any issue be it a death of our dear one, injustice, social ills, unbearable financial constraints, physical abuse or emotional torture is indeed very serious in nature.

When we suffer from depression, our well wishers generally advise us to share our pain with them, to listen to soothing music, to read an inspiring book, to get solace in the beauties of nature and to consult with a doctor. They advise such things not to get any money or favour from us. They only want to comfort ourselves as they are our friends in need.

Unfortunately, we sometimes think that they are trying to belittle the gravity of the problem that is causing our depression. And also we are apprehensive about whether they are casting doubt on our mental strength. Such thinking actually belittles our genuine friends and isolates ourselves from them. The funny thing is that when we suffer from cough and cold or from asthma, we do not hesitate to go to a doctor and give her/ him medical fees to get necessary advice. And we eagerly follow doctor’s prescription which advises us to drink plenty of water, soup and to inhale water vapour apart from taking medicines. Our doctor prescribes those things not to pooh-pooh air pollution which is indeed the main reason for our bronchial disease but to give us some relief. Ironically, our doctor finished her/his job by saying, “You see, air-pollution is the main culprit”.

Sujit De, Kolkata