News.Scotland.Org

Scotland, Oct 5: This weekend is very special for the Scotland Rugby team, as they are going face Argentina in a quarter final match of the Rugby World Cup-2007. If the Scottish team prove their competence against the Argentinian team, then that will be their second World Cup semi-final. The crucial match will be held at Stade de France located in Paris.

Meanwhile the New Zealand’s legend player Jonah Lomu expressed his hope of Scottish team reaching the semi finals. In a pool match Scottish team lost to the All Black team, it was their only defeat in all four pool stage matches. In the history of World Cup, Scotland team had faced the knockout stage encounters against the New Zealand side. It has happened three times out of the five tournaments, Lomu has played a vital role in two of them.

While commenting on the quarter final match Lomu said: “ Right from the beginning Argentina have helped to make it the most competitive World Cup yet, but I wouldn’t completely rule out the Scottish side. Scotland have not played that well yet and they must hope it turns in their favour on Sunday. For that to happen, Scotland will have to deny Argentina possession and that would be the way to frustrate them so that they concede penalties to the best goal-kicker in the world, which is Chris Paterson.”

He retrieved some pleasant memories by travalling back the memory lane, the 32 year old recollected: “I played against Scotland in 1995 in South Africa and at Murrayfield four years later, when the orange-coloured jerseys worn by our opponents meant the floodlights were hardly required.”

Haunted by injuries and illness, for five long years Lomu kept himself away from the Rugby game, he underwent a kidney transplantation in the year 2004 and is still eager to return to the field in the near future. While commenting on the quarter final match between New Zealand and France in Cardiff this weekend, he was cautious over the threat faced by his fellow countrymen. The New Zealand team have lost three of their last four matches with France in Europe when the contest has been held outside Paris. In Paris, their record is four wins and a draw in five matches.

Lomu further added: “ I’d be much happier if the quarter-final was being played in Paris. Hopefully, Scottish crowds haven’t seen the last of me and certainly I feel fresher and fitter compared to when I turned out in the Borders for Cardiff a few years ago and I was still struggling to get feeling back in my feet. Life is good and I am sure I still have a lot I can offer rugby.” concluded the Rugby hero.

Occtober, 5

In an effort to break the age old stigma about mental illness, comedians are all set to address this sensitive issue by using their humour skills. This new way to make people understand the need to break such taboos is a nice beginning to tackle this huge dilemma. Taking initiative comedians will take the centre stage in the Scotland’s first Mental Health Arts and Film Festival which showcases films, debates, exhibitions and other events.

In an effort to change the ideology of people towards mental illness, which even many comedians are victims of by humour as a tool to project this dilemma. It is known that many famous comedians like Stephen Fry and late Spike Milligan have suffered from dispersion in their career. Expressing his views Raymond Mearns one of the comedians said, comedy would make people to understand this serious issue which they may have ignored if told in some another way.

We are eyeing to project this huge problem in a lighter and humorous way cutting the boring aspect of it, said Mearn. Mr Mearns, star of BBC Scotland sitcom Legit, also appears in a new DVD which will be launched at this festival. With the help of humour he had tried to narrate the story of a man’s battle against stress.

In this fast life where one has no time for himself, all are at some point caught under stress and mental tensions. Mr Mearns further added that there are many people I know who have suffered by this stress factor in their lives. Gail Porter, an Edinburgh born TV presenter was the victim of anorexia and manic depression; she even tried for suicide at one time of her life. Humour is a best tool one can use to present a serious matter in a simpler way, says Suzie Vestri, acting director of the campaign group See Me.

Earlier humour and comedy were used only to undermine and humiliate people with mental health problems as figures of fun. But now it is helping people address these issues making it acceptable to talk about them, said Lee Kniston, the director of the festival.

With the start of this festival which lasts on 19th, lets hope people understands the message these comedian will feature in their humour style. And the thinking of the people also changes about the mental illness and they take it in a positive way.