Deforestation and
heat waves
There has been no respite from heat for Goa. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reportedly extended the yellow alert heat warning for Goa till March 11 and predicted hot and humid conditions in the State during this time. Earlier the yellow alert was only until March 10. According to the IMD maximum temperatures are very likely to prevail between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. Climate change is rapidly intensifying. Scientists warn that the cooling effects of La Nina may not be sufficient to offset the rising temperatures in future.
Cutting down forests is increasingly influencing the climate and the earth’s temperature. This adds enormous amounts of Greenhouse gases to those naturally occurring in the atmosphere, increasing global warming. The country recently saw its warmest February since 1901, along with one of the driest winters in recent history, which has raised concerns about the ongoing climate crisis. The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people as they cause physiological stress. It is learnt that heat waves are caused by trapped air, which typically circulates in large prevailing winds. But when trapped over one region, it warms to unusual temperatures due to sunlight. Scientists warn of increased El Nino events, leading to extreme weather and heightened heat-waves. Climate change is having an impact on the rising temperatures. The climate change caused by humans is causing yearly changes in weather
patterns.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Double delight
Saturday and Sunday last week, turned out to be Red Letter Days in the annals of Indian history.
Music Maestro Ilaiyaraaja created history at midnight on Saturday by becoming the first Asian musician to present his ‘first full length western classical symphony’ titled, ‘Valiant’, at London’s Eventim Apollo
Theatre.
Ilaiyaraaja mesmerised the audience comprising not only music lovers but also world-renowned music composers, with his ‘Valiant’ and in return for Ilaiyaraaja’s feast to their ears, the audience, gave the maestro a standing ovation.
With his great feat, Ilaiyaraaja has got his name etched in gold in the hall of fame of music along with those of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Haydn, pioneer - composers of western classical symphony, considered the ultimate in music. India feels proud of the achievement of Ilaiyaraaja and Tamil Nadu is in extra jubilation celebrating the magical music feat of its son of the soil. We are only waiting to see how the Central government is going to honour this great son of India.
And on Sunday, the Indian Cricket Team brought glory to our country by winning the ICC Champions Trophy defeating the formidable New Zealand by four wickets and an over on hand, in a nail-biting thrilling final. With this most desired and cherished victory, India has avenged its defeat to the Kiwis in 2000. Skipper Rohit Sharma and his team deserve accolades and rewards for their consistent progress right from the start to the finish of the tournament.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
True champions
Kudos to Rohit Sharma and the whole Indian team for winning the coveted ICC Champions trophy 2025 in the final against the equally formidable New Zealand, creating a slew of records in Indian and ICC cricketing history.
This win will go into history as Rohit and team snatched victory away from the Kiwis team through diligent fielding, meticulous bowling and dashing batting. When crisis rose after Kohli’s early departure the Men in Blue patiently and composedly confronted the opponents and, making the game one of the best-ever played in a final by the team, won the trophy
beautifully.
The splendid performance by the team says it all - to be positive, determined and make the impossible possible. The team under Rohit has also proved that a fearless, committed, united, dedicated and determined positive mindset can make anything possible. Let us hope that this winning streak continues.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Performance
worthy of champions
Team India etched their name in history, lifting the ICC Champions Trophy for a record third time, defeating New Zealand in an absorbing final at Dubai on Sunday.
Under the dazzling floodlights, with Dubai International Cricket Stadium transforming into a sea of blue, the Men in Blue delivered a performance worthy of champions. The atmosphere reached a feverish pitch when Ravindra Jadeja struck the winning shot, sending the crowd into a frenzy of jubilation. The triumph marks India’s second ICC trophy in as many years, following their T20 World Cup victory last year, further cementing their dominance in white ball cricket on the global stage. The triumph also reinforces the ability of the Men in Blue to perform under pressure and excel in global tournaments. Meanwhile, full marks to the Kiwis as they soared high, winning every game until Team India clipped their wings in the all important final.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Rohit leads
India to glory
In a thrilling Champions Trophy final at Dubai, India clinched the title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand, delighting nearly a billion viewers worldwide.
Rohit Sharma, often criticised for not converting good starts, silenced his critics with a stellar 76, seemingly taking Sunil Gavaskar’s advice to bat deep. His crucial 100-plus partnership with Shubman Gill laid the foundation, and despite a stunning catch by Glenn Phillips dismissing Gill, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul steadied the chase.
Hardik Pandya accelerated the run rate, and Jadeja sealed the win with a boundary. New Zealand, after electing to bat, posted 251-7, with Daryl Mitchell’s 63 and Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 rescuing the innings. India’s strategy of four spinners—Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja—proved decisive in restricting the Kiwis. Despite four dropped catches, India held their nerve, with New Zealand’s fielding brilliance highlighted by Phillips’ acrobatic effort.
With this triumph, India reaffirmed its dominance in white-ball cricket, and Rohit Sharma, the ‘Hitman,’ delivered when it mattered the most.
Gopalaswamy J, Chennai