EVEN as the world grapples with untold misery heaped upon it by the coronavirus, all investigations aimed at finding out the source of origin of the virus have drawn a blank so far. In this light, the document written by Chinese scientists and health officials, accessed by the ‘Weekend Australian’ newspaper should come as the biggest evidence pointing at China’s dirty designs to use the SARS viruses as bioweapon. The paper revealed that Chinese military scientists were discussing the weaponisation of SARS coronaviruses five years before the COVID-19 pandemic emerged from the city of Wuhan. Intelligence agencies and many other individual researchers had already red-flagged a laboratory in Wuhan from where the virus was purportedly leaked by an intern. Subsequent developments in changing controlling authority of the laboratory were clear enough to haul up China. Yet, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other top agencies could not muster courage to question China. Barring a few countries holding China responsible for the pandemic, most nations seem happy to bow to Beijing’s economic heft. The latest finding should open their eyes. PLAYERS’

 

 

Krishan Kaushik’s biggest quality lay in his ability to soak in the reality before making his own mark on the scene. He did that during his playing days, rising several notches to match Mohammad Shahid’s genius on the right flank in the 1980 gold-medal winning team of Moscow Olympics and later carried it to the national team as a successful coach. Kaushik’s last fight was with the dreaded COVID-19 where he was ultimately outpaced by destiny despite putting up a valiant fight. His demise has ended a wonderful era for Indian hockey which once managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with cricket primarily on the majestic performances of Kaushik, Shahid, V Baskaran and their ilk. Kaushik’s sterling quality as the national coach was stoking patriotic fire among the players, helping them rise above parochial considerations. He made them fight for INDIA, unleashing their innate fighting spirit. Kaushik was the magnet that kept the flock together till he chose recluse after a nasty allegation while handling the women’s team. It was utter rubbish which became clear soon. But it cost India a gem of a coach.