LETTERS: Kind-hearted Messi

I was gratified after reading a news story revealing the aid provided by The Messi Foundation in association with Unicef in a bid to build 14 health centres and provide relief to the shattered quake victims of April 25 Gorkha earthquake that crippled their lives. Needless to say, the iconic Barcelona superstar Luis Lionel Andres Messi, is a humble, kind and gentle soccer player. His astounding footballing skills as well as personal traits on and off the pitch in addition to his nature of simplicity, honesty and humbleness may better describe him as a wonderful person. In fact, he is tender-hearted.Messi is not just a player who is obsessed with “goal scoring”. Just as he prefers to “assisting” over “scoring” on the field, he gets pleasure to assist helpless and deserted orphanages and other children inflicted by various life-threatening diseases. Messi was once a thin, weak, pale and unhealthy child scourged by growth-deficiency hormones and was boycotted from the football ground during his childhood just because he was physically unfit and financially weak. This man has apparently proved his critics wrong defying all odds and has analytically proved the gist of a saying, “Disability is not necessarily an inability.” Messi is a source of inspiration for millions of children around the world who have a colossal dream to excel in the field of their interest regardless of their physical disabilities and multifarious hindrances. It was his passion, hard work, utmost dedication, willpower, determination and the sense of endurance, persistence and perseverance credited for what Messi has achieved. I would like thank you for your warm support and selfless contribution to the quakesurvivors of Nepal who cannot pay you back in cash or kind. But millions of Nepalis will remember you throughout their life for your kind support thousands of miles away from the Himalayas.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen

Aviation

The time has come to give serious thought about the aviation industry. Right now, the industry is in the grip of many big challenges that must be handled carefully. To start with, the performance of Air Traffic Control [ATC] in airports is not up to the mark. Countries should learn techniques from Dubai and Singapore whose ATC performance levels are over 55 flights per hour. Second, the ever-increasing costs of airport infrastructure have led to increased cost of air travel.  While privatisation is needed, the airports and air travel should be cost-effective and passenger-friendly. The home truth is that many airports in the world are crying for attention.  In the background of dismal state of airports, airlines will really find it difficult to attract passengers.  So, the bail-out measures for aviation sector should start from the aspect of renovating and remodeling the airports.  In this regard, it is important to have a clear blueprint of the existing airports.

P. Senthil Sarvana Durai, Mumbai