Apropos the editorial, “Curable disease” (THT, March 26, Page 8), TB menace should be fought with adequate nutrition and medication. It is said that prevention is better than cure. To ensure nutrition for the first 1,000 days of a child’s life along with necessary vaccination must be the first approach to prevent tuberculosis. Scientists say that the first 1,000 days from conception to the second birthday of a child is vital. It is during this period that the

infant’s body and brain develop at a rapid pace.

Increasing scientific evidences show that meeting the specific nutritional needs during the first 1000 days, and beyond, will positively influence short and long term health outcomes. Thus, a mother being the sole source of nutrition for the developing embryo and foetus during pregnancy as well as being the one who breastfeeds her baby after birth is definitely the key to developing her child’s first immune system against tuberculosis. So, it must  be ensured that the mother gets sufficient vitamins D, B2, B6, B12, minerals — iron, iodine, folic acid, calcium — and required fat in her daily diet during this period.

Sujit De, Kolkata

ODI odyssey 

It is great to see that Nepal has now got One Day International (ODI) status in cricket. Let us all wholeheartedly welcome this beautiful Himalayan country to the world of cricket. However, Nepal’s cricket team has faced leadership crisis as the Cricket Association of Nepal has been suspended by the International Cricket Council following the legal battle in the court of law. The row seen over the cricket governing body must be sorted out at the earliest.

The cricket governing body must be free from political influences and the government must support the game with adequate resources. Cricket is the most sought-after game in Asia, particularly in South Asia.

Apart from England, the Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have long been playing the game of cricket for over a century. As a big cricket buff, I would like to recap the beautiful days of cricket in the 1990s.

As a schoolboy then, I was used to watching cricket matches on TV. Mohammad Azharuddin, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya are my favourite cricket stars.

The contribution of these players to the game was immeasurable and is worthy of emulation by other cricketers. And their personality, batting style, sincerity and professionalism had added to the strength of the game of cricket, especially in the 1990s.

Right now there have been various formats of cricket, especially at regional level. Despite this, players of the stature akin to the former cricketers are totally missing in cricket today. I am not blaming anyone. That is the fact. Besides, the rising commercialisation of cricket is something to be taken seriously. Always, good rapport with fellow teams, sincerity, professionalism and high standards deserve the first place in the game of cricket.

P Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai