Write to the editor

The Cherry Tree Trot (CTT) sponsored by the American Women’s Association (AWA) in Bahrain will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit on December 5 at 9am.

The CTT is a fun day out for physically and mentally-challenged Bahrainis and is one of the oldest and largest charity events in Bahrain.

It is organised to raise money for 35 Bahraini charities the AWA supports and is held every two years.

The primary event is a 2K race for the mentally and physically-challenged children and adults who will be supported by students from leading private schools and adult volunteers.

There will also be a 2k, 3K, 5K and 8K run for able-bodied participants. A 3K walkathon is for those who like to take things a little easier, for example, families with pushchairs.

Children of ages six to 12 can enter the 2K, ages 13 and up can enter the 3k and 5k races. The 8k race is for those aged 15 and over. Adults and children can enjoy the walkathon. Spectators are also welcome and are not charged.

Registration online starts from September 1 and a website is under construction. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female race winners in seven different race categories, in each race distance.

The AWA is a non-profit, volunteer organisation organised and run by women.

For details contact the AWA at PO Box 26135, Manama, Bahrain, or check out www.awabahrain.org or email adnan@adnanevents.com

Adnan Alqassab,
Race Director.

Again we have been witnessing landslides in the Himalayan mountain ranges of Kedarnath valley in India. Hardly a year has passed since this area faced a deluge taking thousands of lives, devastating millions of rupees worth of property and costing the exchequer a high price.

But despite all this it appears that we have not learnt any lesson from it.

We must be aware that the root cause is the deforestation that has taken place indiscriminately over the years. The simple reason is that these trees hold the soil together and in turn the soil holds the water thus preventing both deluge and landslides.

We would like to know what arrangements the Government of Uttarakhand state has made, except to restore the roads and resume pooja (worship) at Kedarnath Temple, to see that this mishap does not recur. It is high time that we act appropriately lest we lose Mother Earth one day.

Seturam Aspari,
By email.