Kharkiv (Ukraine): The Netherlands’ players hinted that their Euro 2012 campaign had been undermined by changing-room disunity after their participation in the tournament ended with a 2-1 loss to Portugal.
A team that arrived at the competition as one of the favourites after finishing runners-up at the 2010 World Cup and plundering 37 goals in qualifying will travel home dejected following three consecutive defeats.
The draw that placed the Dutch in the finely balanced Group B was not kind, but no-one could have predicted the tame losses to Denmark, Germany and Portugal that followed. Cristiano Ronaldo was the axeman in their final game on Sunday, scoring twice to cancel out Rafael van der Vaart’s opener in Kharkiv to leave Bert van Marwijk’s side rooted to the foot of the table without a point to their name.
The cracks had appeared much earlier, however, with outbursts from several players hinting at discord among a national squad with a historical reputation for feuding and in-fighting.
Van der Vaart and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar both complained about being left out of the starting line-up, while Arjen Robben reacted petulantly to his substitution during the 1-0 loss to Germany.
Asked to provide explanations for his team’s struggles after the defeat by Portugal, Robben appeared at a loss.
“We lost three times. It’s a difficult thing to accept,” said the Bayern Munich winger.
“We have to dare to look at ourselves in the mirror: we all failed. It’s hard to find explanations. Sometimes things are impossible to explain.
“In the match (against Portugal), we started the match well but we quickly forgot to keep developing our play.”
Tellingly, he conceded that, behind the scenes, all had not been well.
“Things happened in the squad, but we’ll keep that between us,” Robben said.
The unexpected nature of Holland’s failure will inevitably prompt scrutiny of national coach van Marwijk, who extended his contract until 2016 last year.
The man who led the Oranje to the last World Cup final seemed incapable of reacting to the setbacks that assailed them in Poland and Ukraine, but Wesley Sneijder does not believe his position should be called into question. (Agencies)
Commuters waiting for cabs in an indisciplined manner at the Khyndai Lad junction. Much of the traffic jam in this area is caused by commuters who come out to the middle of the street in order to get a cab. The human density makes vehicular movement slow and maneuvering difficult. (ST)
The rampant disposal of wastes from every source has left the rivers of today in a sordid state. The consequence is undoubtedly a result of our actions. (ST)
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as drains, lakes, rivers, stream and groundwater.
Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate protection and treatment to remove harmful compounds both of Solid and Liquid waste. It affects the flora and fauna living in water bodies. In many cases, the affect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities.
There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist:
1. Direct
2. Indirect contaminant sources.
Direct sources include effluent (sewage and sullage) outfalls from households, tea stalls, offices, restaurant, refineries, establishment, workshops etc. that emit harmful fluids of varying quality and degree directly into urban water supplies.
Indirect contaminant sources: Indirect Contamination movement of pesticide from treated land by heavy rains and runoff water or by soil erosion.
Developing behavioural change will bring in positive results in improving and restoring the Wah Umkhrah and Umshyrpi to its original state because no State/ Nation will develop if people do not have a positive outlook toward aspects as serious as these.
If one responsible person is concerned about improving and contributing towards the natural environment and improving social infrastructure, the other acts otherwise by disposing Solid and Liquid waste indiscriminately as he lacks awareness and sense of responsibility towards the environment.
However, behavioural change comes when we are ready to see things or the environment differently and being concerned and responsible citizens and aim toward a cleaner and safer place to live in.
This can be achieved by imparting and accepting awareness as a key component for positive results. Damage to Mother Nature has reached its peak and if we do not stop now, we will burden ourselves with dangers that are can be destructive.
Now that people are realising the dangers of harming the Environment, positive causes such as awareness has helped curb the problems to a certain extent-
1. Preventing The Runoff of Storm Water, Recharge pits, Natural boundaries.
2. Promoting more seepage into soil.
3. Treating this wastewater before releasing it into the water bodies by providing of bar screen and maintain them properly by the authority concerned.
Awareness towards control of pollutants will be a step in bringing about change and improving the condition of our streams.
We cannot continue to harm the flora and fauna that live in our ecosystem.
We all need to be concerned that pollutants affect every single thing that depend on oxygen from microorganisms up to humans.
Improving water quality of our streams, rivers is certainly a very important task that needs to be addressed at all levels – local, State, Regional, National as well as international.
Clean and Pollutant free rivers mean healthy environment, and healthy environment means healthy living.
Many people ignore the fact that our planet is now polluted more than ever before, and that many animals and marine life are dying because of it.
They fail to see the importance of these animals and underestimate the importance of biodiversity..
Biodiversity is the key to human well being and we should definitely be doing more to stop biodiversity loss which is a serious threat to our very own survival.
Dumping of Solid waste on Road sides:
Indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes on road side like plastic bags, paper, foils, and plastic bottles of different types and other waste materials are being disposed on the side of the roads and remain untouched for days on end until rain water washes them away and ultimately flow toward the main drains and these in turn feed the streams and rivers. Waste is seen dropping out of garbage vehicles due to non existence of scientific cover of vehicle tops.
Seeing these main streams (Wah Umkhrah and Umshyrpi) being piled with different types of waste be it Solid or Liquid waste, makes us realise on the amount of damage that we have created . Humans everyday makes us feel guilty at what we have done to the nature and what kind of environment we leave for our generation in future.
These streams have changed its quality content during the 70’s to 80’s. All of us residing in Shillong city and in different localities especially in the catchment areas are responsible for deformation of these streams (Wah Umkhrah and Wah Umshyrpi).
Feeder Drain to Wah Umkhrah stream: The stream originating from Mawshubuit locality(Happy valley) flows into the Umpling and Wah Umkalier stream which then finally joins the Wah Umkhrah River. During its course, different activities are carried out like washing of clothes and cars in which lubricants is being disposed, discharged of sullage and direct disposal of sewage from households and different tributary drains all pollute the rivers. This stream passes through Demseiniong, Polo, Lawmali besides Wahingdoh, Riatsamthiah, and Mawlai Nongpdeng which all join to the famous Bidon Falls (25°35’13.58″N latitude and 91°52’10.62″E Longitude).
Feeder Drain to Wah Umshyrpi stream: The main drains coming from Nongthymmai, Jingkieng, Fire Brigade meeting at the lower point of Cleve colony, flowing towards woodland Hospital, joining with the Malki stream which originated from Malki (Wah kdait). This stream passes through Dhankheti flows towards Malki ground towards Crinoline swimming pool, Red cross, Rhino museum, behind Tuberculosis Hospital, towards Mawprem Bishop Falls locality and finally by the time it reaches Bishop Falls (25°35’1.73″N Latitude and 91°51’51.52″E Longitude, Approx.) it is highly polluted and contaminated with effluents and dirt of varying types.
The directives to remove shades from cars have hit the ones engaged in this profession. The livelihood source has been narrowed to a stop and some alternatives have to be thought of. (ST)
large number of people
who are engaged in the profession of pasting of the tinted glass and paintings of the vehicle number plates have not only remained jobless but they are equally unsure about their future.
The uncertainty of the future of such people who are engaged in these two professions is the outcome of the decisions from the Government to ban the use of tinted glasses in all vehicles of the State and also the introduction the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).
Their bread and butter has been taken away since the decision of the Government to introduce the HSRP and these groups of people for the past few years have decided not to make any hue and cry since they were hoping that the Government would do something to take care about their welfare and interest.
After seeing that the Government has turned a blind eye towards their problems and difficulties, these groups of people has decided to come together and formed the Meghalaya Automobiles Accessories Association (MAAA) to express their disappointment over the step-motherly attitude of the Government towards them.
“We have been waiting with the hope that the Government is going to do something for us,” MAAA general secretary John Phira Mawa during their first ever interaction with mediapersons here on Saturday.
He said that they have been forced to take this drastic step of coming out in the open to tell the people about their miseries since their family and children are starvind as they do not have any job.
“We are not able to provide our family with their basic needs,” Mawa said while adding that they cannot think about the future of their children since their own future is suddenly so bleak.
While expressing a major disappointment on the attitude of the Government, he said that they are all hurt since the Government has always come forward to help all those groups who are engaged in various professions and even those people who have taken up arms.
Recalling that few years back the Government decided to do away with the horse cart in the city, he said that the Government has provided them with the financial assistance to purchase mini-trucks to be able to stand in their own feet.
When the Government decided to acquire the land from the people for any project, MAAA general secretary said that the Government would provide them with the land compensation.
“What hurts us the most is the fact that the Government is quick to help the militants who have come forward to surrender. If the Government can help those who have taken up arms to fight then why is it shying away to help us, being genuine citizens of the State,” he said.
Mawa said that this attitude of the State Government forces them to think that they should all take all arms so that they would provided with all the support.
MAAA general secretary also questioned on the claim of the Government that introduction of the HSRP would help in reducing cases of theft. “But we have received reports that there are many vehicles fitted with HSRP that have been stolen,” he said.
Stating that if the HSRP are not able to reduce the risk of being stolen, Mawa said that it gives a strong suspicion that this system has been introduce to suit the interest of few people.
When asked about their future course of action, he said that they would be forced to resort to agitations if the Government failed to come forward towards their assistance.
Who doesn’t acknowledge the fact that everything happens for a reason. The best known is ‘good things falling apart so that better things can fall together’.
Ever spared a thought for the monstrous proportions at which things would go haywire if all of a sudden the government intervenes and takes an exceptional stand to curb the traffic menace?
The first impact – no more excuses.
The existing traffic scenario has helped one and all to be lazy, to avoid meetings, to be late for emergencies and to shy away from responsibilities with the universally accepted reason of ‘a bad traffic jam’.
Now once this is wiped out, things can, for a change happen on time…which again is unacceptable.
Teachers and students can start classes on time, chief guests can be on time for functions and what is sadder is that officials in Government Institutes will ultimately have to be on time!
That would mean files being ‘pushed’ on time, work done amidst the ‘red tea’, cigarettes, betel nuts and a load of other things happening on time which will inevitably, much to our disgust, put Shillong back on track as a fast paced city surging on the strides to development.
All is unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen and possibly that is the only reason, the traffic issue has been the ‘longest unsolvable issue’ of Meghalaya. The ‘Bermuda triangle’ has fewer mysteries associated with it than the Barik triangle where all of a sudden traffic arises and remains stagnant for hours. Some sincere planning it seems knowing the fact that ‘time management’ can be the sole reason for a nation propelling towards the pinnacle.
Cleverly, the traffic scenario has not hampered the creators or rather the planners who see Shillong at par with the more developed small cities around the globe. Amidst the seemingly unsolvable sticky issue of ‘jam’, emergency services are maintained. The blazing sirens and the ‘domesticated escort’ have ensured that the excuse remains an excuse and necessary deeds can be done on time.
VIP passes; clearing of roads and the unthinkable…creation of an entire VIP stretch for the important dignitaries is always possible. Well no one wants to have their heads dismembered while setting up the same trap for others. Once again, we have to applaud the fact that this messy issue has been maintained at the same level for all these months. Be it a problem or solution, upholding one deserves credibility. So what if we are not rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty, every visitor to this tiny state can exclaim…”Look at that jam…beats America by a mile!”
New Delhi: Meanwhile, Mahesh Bhupathi complained to the Sports Ministry over the issue of selection, raising apprehensions over AITA’s selection process wherein he is being forced to pair with estranged partner Leander Paes.
In a strongly-worded letter to Sports Minister Ajay Maken, Bhupathi has stated that “the manner in which this has been communicated and handled by the All India Tennis Association defies logic”.
“If the objective, as proved by latter events, was to send only one team, why was this not communicated to the players clearly and well in advance such that the team proposed to be sent to the Olympics could train together and play together?” Bhupathi asked.
AITA’s decision, Bhupathi said, “surprised” and “disappointed” him.
“The stance taken by AITA of refusing to nominate a team that has legitimately qualified on its own record – and instead nominating two players who have failed in four previous Olympic events and who have not played together this year – is bemusing and difficult for to understand,” Bhupathi said in the letter.
Bhupathi’s letter seemed to garner support from Maken, as the minister later tweeted, “We can send 2 teams, why send 1? Hidden question is on who should pair Sania? Why disturb victorious Grand Slam mixed double pair?”
His ministry then shot off a six-point letter to AITA President Anil Khanna and sought explanation by Tuesday afternoon.
AITA’s new secretary general, Bharat Ojha, was not quiet either, saying that Bhupathi should be willing to partner Paes for India’s sake, and suggested that the Sports Ministry should try resolving the issue. (Agencies)
New Delhi: India’s doubles exponent Rohan Bopanna on Monday followed his regular tour partner Mahesh Bhupathi in refusing to team up with Leander Paes for the men’s doubles of the 2012 London Olympics.
Bopanna, in a letter to the All India Tennis Association (AITA), made it clear that he cannot combine with Paes although it is his “dream to represent India in the Olympics”. Bhupathi last week had already rejected AITA selection committee’s decision to pair with Paes for their fifth Olympics together.
“With all respect and humility, I have been unable to accept AITA’s offer and have communicated my decision to them in writing this morning,” Bopanna said in a statement.
Bopanna said he teamed up with Bhupathi earlier this year only with the aim of playing in the Olympics. Bopanna said with Paes he won’t make a good pair and they are unlikely to yield any result.
“Since the beginning of the year, I have partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi towards playing together as a team at the Olympics. This was communicated to the AITA at every step and we were encouraged to continue to play together.
Bopanna admitted that his controversial decision might be difficult to comprehend but he won’t risk his professional integrity for a shot at the Olympics.
“I believe we are nothing but the product of our choices,” he said.
Criticising Paes for ditching Bhupathi last year, Bopanna said he also could have taken an easy route by continuing his pairing with Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi but did not do that.
“In October 2011, I broke up an extremely successful partnership with Aisam Qureshi as I believed that Olympics preparedness required hard work and understanding between partners and the numerous little adjustments that make a team work.
“Having been ranked No.8 in the world last year, I could have taken a far easier route to Olympics qualification – if that was my only goal – by continuing my existing partnership and aiming for a personal top-10 ranking.
However, he said he believes that there is a proper process for an athlete and a successful partnership is grown out of time and the ups and downs of competition. (IANS)
SAN FRANCISCO: The U.S. Open yields few birdies or big celebrations. And at Olympic Club, they always come in strange places.
Webb Simpson walked off the 18th green on a fog-filled Sunday evening with his face red and his legs limp, settling into a corner of the locker room to recover and watch Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell chase his 1-over par 281 on the course.
Simpson saved par from the collar around the 18th green and sweated out a pair of past champions three groups behind, becoming the latest to claim his first major title at a club that always crowns the guy nobody expects to win.
Olympic Club is called the ”graveyard of champions” for a reason. Proven major winners who were poised to win the U.S. Open – Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Payne Stewart – all lost out to the underdog.
The North Carolina made four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn on the final day, and converted a tough par from the thick grass around the tiny 18th green. He shot a 2-under 68 that created more pressure than two tested champions and a 14-time major winner wearing red could handle.
Furyk was flawless for much of the week until he snap-hooked his tee shot on the par-5 16th hole to fall out of the lead for the first time all day. He made bogey on 18 and closed with a 74.
”I don’t know how to put that one into words,” said Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champion, ”but I had my opportunities and my chances and it was right there. It was, on that back nine, it was my tournament to win and I felt like if I went out there and shot even par, 1 under, I would have distanced myself from the field. And I wasn’t able to do so.”
Neither was McDowell, the champion two years ago at Pebble Beach, who made four bogeys on the front nine. He gave himself a chance with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th and a shot into the 18th that had him sprinting up the hill to see what kind of chance he had.
The putt from 25 feet stayed left of the hole the entire way. He ended with 73 and shared second place.
Tiger Woods, starting five shots behind, played the first six holes in 6-over par and was never a factor. He shot 73 and finished six strokes back.
Of the last 18 players to tee off in the final round, Simpson was the only one to break par. He also was the lone player to shoot two rounds in the 60s on the weekend.
”It was a cool day,” Simpson said. ”I had a peace all day. I knew it was a tough golf course. I probably prayed more the last three holes than I ever did in my life.” (AP)
BIRMINGHAM: Melanie Oudin of the United States won her first WTA tournament, defeating Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-2 on Monday in the rain-delayed, grass-court final of the Aegon Classic.
The 20-year-old came through qualifying and won eight matches to claim her first tour title. She also earned a wild card to compete at Wimbledon.
”It was like this came out of nowhere,” said Oudin, who didn’t expect to win her first title on grass.
Oudin, who has been recovering from an injury, become the first player ranked outside of the top 200 to capture a main tour title since Kim Clijsters won the US Open in 2009.
Oudin was a 2009 U.S. Open quarterfinalist, but has struggled since that breakthrough.
She beat two other seeded players on the way to this final – 10th-seeded Sourana Cirstea of Romania and eight-seeded Ekararina Makarova of Russia in the semifinals.
She also beat Jankovic during their first and only other meeting three years ago, at Wimbledon. (AP)
LONDON: Manchester City will begin the defence of their English Premier League title at home to newly promoted Southampton on August 18, it was announced on Monday.
Manchester United, who were just pipped to the title, are away to Everton before Fulham visit Old Trafford the following weekend.
Arsenal, third last term, start at home to Sunderland before travelling to Stoke and Liverpool.
The opening day of the season sees two Europa League rivals go head-to-head when Newcastle welcome Tottenham Hotspur to St James’ Park.
European champions Chelsea, with Roberto di Matteo now their full-time as manager, begin their quest for the Premier League title away to Wigan. They did not finish well in the EPL, but will seek to change all that.
Brendan Rodgers’ first Premier League match as Liverpool manager will be at West Bromwich Albion.
Rodgers is set for a tough start in front of the Liverpool faithful, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United the first three league visitors to Anfield next season.
West Ham’s return to the Premier League starts at home to Aston Villa, now managed by former Norwich boss Paul Lambert. (AFP)
