Hats off to Leander Paes for deciding to take part in London 2012 Olympics. It’s because of his dedication, patience, hard work, simplicity and patriotism the nation has produced a great tennis player. Winning and losing is a part of the game. I as a Goan feel very proud of your achievements. I wish him and India success in the Olympics and great carrier ahead. Great going, go ahead.
George Joao Fernandes, Navelim
Not Goan
This refers to the news report “Goan among 5 banned in IPL spot-fixing” (Herald, July1, 2012) How can someone named Amit Yadav be Goan? On reading this news report it seems that the reporter is taunting the Niz Goenkars with bad name. The name of the person clearly reveals that the cheater is from one of the states in North India. He cannot be a Goan just by playing or residing in Goa. The report should have read thus: “Goa Based North Indian among 5 banned in IPL spot-fixing”. I don’t say Goans are not cheaters, but the fact is Amit Yadav cannot be a Goan. Hope next time, some better sense prevails while reporting on sensitive issues and the reporter is able to distinguish between Goan and non-Goans so that the bad reporting will not tarnish the image of Goa unnecessarily.
Julius Carvalho, Dubai-UAE
Thank you
On 30 June at 14.35 I entered the main Post Office at Panaji to pay my Telephone Bill. I approached Counter number 2. I was told politely that payments for telephone bills are accepted till 1 pm. I requested the gentleman at the counter to accept the bill as a special case. He accepted the bill and made my day! I appreciate this act of going beyond the call of duty and hope we have more people like him. Keep it up.
DC Dias, Taleigao
TCP permissions
The Town & Country Planning Department has been giving permissions for construction of residential villas, commercial buildings, hotels, malls and projects without ascertaining existing infrastructure, parking provisions, and power, water, garbage disposal or consequent destruction of the social fabric of the town or village! The Courts are handicapped when illegal operators have obtained all the required permissions from government. The present chaos is a result. For e.g. look at the mess on 18th June road in Panaji. There is little hope for authorities to expand here. This has to be de congested of vehicles by innovative schemes like NOMOZO on holidays, parking areas created by converting godowns in Junta House or some government garage/areas. TCP has also to include rain water harvesting and environment protection before any permission is given. Isn’t it high time further degeneration is stopped, real planning is done and rectification of ills attempted on a war footing?
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Angioplasties
The number of coronary angioplasties today is on the rise. Health experts say this could be linked to the popularity of “angioplasty with stent” procedures as well as to crass “commercialism”. Therefore patients need to be aware that they are sometimes being referred for something that they don’t need, and they can get by with a less invasive option, which is taking medicines.
A study published in May 2012 in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology throws more light on the subject. Researchers gathered data from more than 24,000 angioplasty patients at 58 hospitals in New York State between 2009 and 2010, and measured how well the physicians stuck to the angioplasty guidelines advised by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Sadly only 36% met the criteria for an “appropriate” candidate while 64 % fell in the “uncertain” category and were deemed “inappropriate” for the procedure. They would have done as well or better with oral medication.
All in all, whenever an “emergency” situation arises in a coronary patient there are no two words about the benefit of angioplasty. But when next time your cardiologist advises angioplasty for a clogged artery in a “non-emergency” situation it is better to pause, ponder and ask questions.
Dr Francisco Colaço, Margao
Uncover culprits
It has been noticed that every time the photographs of culprits involved in theft and other anti-social activities appear in the newspapers or are shown on TV news channels surrounded by cops who have affected the arrest, the face of the law-breaker is invariably covered by a cloth. What is the logic behind covering the face of the culprit? Is it because the cops are apprehensive of having apprehended the wrong person? It would have been in the fitness of things for the general public to be able to see the face of the culprit so that people could come up with more evidence in the case after recognizing the arrested person. The arrested person in question could even be involved in more criminal cases on which the public will be able to throw light. All this is possible if the face of the arrested person is exposed.
