Nobel peace prize like all other prizes are awarded for proven accomplishments not based on aspirations. By awarding Nobel peace prize to President Obama, the Nobel committee has broken that long standing tradition and undermined the lofty image of this prize. If Obama is aspired to become a successful and effective leader of the democratic world he has to take some decisive decisions during his presidency which may not prove him to be a dove. His efforts to fight against al-Qaeda and Taliban will be seriously obstructed if he wants to create an image like Mahatma Gandhi. The sudden burden of this Nobel peace prize is not going to help him to become an effective leader when time will require him to make some very unpleasant but essential decisions which may not be necessarily peaceful. It will be a matter of great wisdom for him if he can respectfully decline this honour.
   Akbar Hussain
   Canada

This very interesting fact is mentioned by Engr SA Mansoor (Feedback, October 17). A Japanese engineer Yabe has discovered a process by which sun’s energy can be directed to convert (i.e. start chain reaction of) magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide which can then be later combined with water to release power and work as an engine. This indeed is an ideal solution as then we can have small powered local engines for all our needs instead of the countrywide power grids.
   I would have liked to have more information as to how much sun’s power needs to be used to produce say one kg of magnesium powder and how much power is later available for the engine from one kg of such converted magnesium powder.
   The whole scheme seems very feasible and convenient and non-polluting, and I wish Engineer Yabe an early and convincing success with his process of MAGIC (magnesium internal combustion) engines to rescue mankind.
   Engineer Shafi Ahmed
   London, UK