Sir — The exam rush has begun. It is that time of the year when students are studying hard, parents and guardians are anxious and relatives eager to know how the examinees fare. In this relentless quest for high marks and rankings, though, many children end up losing out on honing their natural talents and skills. This affects their confidence.

In our culture, there is undue pressure on students to study science. But not everybody is good at it, or wants to study it. There are so many streams of study that offer good opportunities. Parents should teach their children that there is a life beyond known boundaries.

Eeshika Ghosh,

Calcutta

Remember the star

Sir — It was saddening to read that England’s 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, has died on account of kidney cancer (“Proud to call Gordon a teammate: Charlton”, Feb 13). Banks’s diving, twisting save of the century — voted number 41 on the list of the 100 greatest sporting moments by the British public in 2002 — to thwart Brazil’s Pelé in the 1970 World Cup is lauded as one of the greatest feats of goalkeeping. Football lovers around the world are always overjoyed when they relive that miraculous save, but Banks had mixed feelings about it. He said, “They won’t remember me for winning the World Cup, it’ll be for that save. That’s how big a thing it is. People just want to talk about that save”.

In fact, according to Pelé, “[Banks was] a goalkeeper with magic... I scored so many goals in my life, but many people, when they meet me, always ask me about that save. While it was indeed phenomenal, my memory of Gordon is not defined by that...” Not only did the legendary Brazilian speak of his friendship with Banks in his tribute, but he also unveiled a statue of the goalkeeper outside Stoke’s new Britannia Stadium, which depicts him lifting the trophy in 1966. Banks won 73 England caps before his career came to a premature end on account of a car crash in 1972 that cost him his sight in his right eye. He won the Fifa Goalkeeper of the Year award on six occasions, and was voted Footballer of the Year in 1972. Even though the Russian icon, Lev Yashin, was voted the greatest goalkeeper of the 20th century, thus pushing Banks to second place, the former never managed to get a World Cup winners’ medal. Banks’s contribution to football will never be forgotten.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad

Sir — It was upsetting to learn that Gordon Banks, one of the best goalkeepers football has ever seen, died at the age of 81. He was a valuable asset to English football in his golden years and responsible for many important wins of the team. He was the goalie during the only time that England managed to win the World Cup. It was not just the English who loved him; for football lovers the world over, the news of his demise came as a shock. Banks will remain alive in the hearts of football lovers for a long time to come.

Sourish Misra,

Calcutta

Sir — Goalkeepers are said to be the last line of defence. Gordon Banks was that ‘last line’ for England during his illustrious career. His death has created a void in the world of football. Banks was the goalie of the star-studded English team which won the World Cup in 1966. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Bobby Charlton were the other notable stalwarts. Banks was tall, agile, and very safe inside the penalty box. He played in almost all the matches of the 1966 tournament, and was part of the historic win against West Germany in the final. The victory of margin was 4-2.

Banks is fondly remembered by sports lovers all over the world for his acrobatic save against Brazil in the group league match in the 1970 World Cup. It was none other than Pelé whose goal attempt he foiled. Although England lost that match 0-1, the brilliant save eventually came to be known as the ‘save of the century’. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics has ranked Banks as the second most successful goalkeeper after Lev Yashin. He played 73 matches for England between 1963 and 1972, and was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Indranil Sanyal,

Calcutta