Clear apprehension of Uniform Civil Code
On the face of it, the Uniform Civil Code, which aims to replace personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption looks good and appears to be needed in our country which has diverse culture and a huge population. A common citizen like me would like to know why UCC, which is the directive principle of the Constitution, was not implemented as yet. The government while implementing should ensure that the proposed law is not against the Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the minorities. The government after formulating the draft of UCC should place it before all stake holders in the public domain for discussion for a consensus and then implement the same which will benefit the citizens of the country, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
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Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Zero tolerance to drugs
This is with reference to the news article on O Heraldo, titled, ‘Goa CM asserts zero tolerance towards drugs, targets coastal surveillance’ (July 27, 2023). It’s really a welcoming move from Goa government of show zero tolerance to the drug menace. However this move of Goa government will save Goa from portraying it as another ‘drug destination’ on the world map. Certainly some tourists visit Goa with the intention of enjoying recreational drugs, thus tarnishing the image of Goa to a great extent. Probably, availability of drugs at pastry shops in the form of Marijuana laced cakes/brownies should be seriously probed and immediate action should be implemented to save the younger generation, especially the students from are getting addicted to it.
Youth are being targeted, as the perpetrators are well aware that once the they are addicted, then it’s a great deal of earning for them. In addition, the government should also take strict action against certain illegal dens that are erupting in the vicinity which often go unnoticed. No doubt, coastal areas are the prime spots for targeting tourists, who are involved in substance abuse. Surveillance by the government team will work wonders in curbing out this social evil which are carried out on coastal areas by some drug dealing agents, who know to discern the taste of the tourist pertaining to substance abuse. Eventually, the zero tolerance drug policy is a good move from the government of Goa for the benefit of the society, provided its implemented.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
People’s tax should be put to good use
The government collects taxes from the common people in different ways. But, the money taken from public tax is not used properly. A major part of it is not spent on schemes but on salaries of leaders and their facilities. It should be kept in mind that the money taken from common people as tax should be spent on improving their services. The government should focus on such schemes, which will benefit widows, poor, elderly and deprived sections and enable them to lead a dignified life.
Jahangeer Shaikh, Mumbai
Oommen Chandy was a mass leader
Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy’s six-decade long political career has been inextricably linked to the ups and downs of his party in Kerala’s bipolar political ecosystem. He had remained a key player in state politics till he breathed his last. He faced a challenge towards the end of his tenure as CM, when the solar scam broke out. He had set a record in Kerala politics, returning to the state Assembly 53 years in a row from his home constituency Puthupally, Kerala. The development projects, such as the Kochi metro rail, Kannur Airport and Vizhinjam International Port were initiated by the Ommen Chandy government. He will be known as one of the icons of Kerala politics and as a mass leader. A historic chapter in Kerala politics has come to an end with his demise. His demise leaves a profound void in Kerala’s political landscape and a huge loss to Kerala, to the Congress and UDF.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Manipur – a national shame
Citizens of our country, cutting across caste and religious barriers, are deeply hurt and vent their anger in one voice against the barbaric and inhuman act that took place in Manipur that shook not only India, but the entire world. Despite the public outcry, and strong protests elsewhere in the country against the uncouth incident, Prime Minister Modi, after a prolonged reticence, broke his silence, which was too little, too late. The obstreperous situation in Manipur has gone beyond restitution due to the ineptitude and lackadaisical approach of the ruling BJP. If the vindictive men who molested and paraded naked a woman of the rival community were beasts, those politicians who created these brutes are the bigger boogers. Manipur is a perfect example of the country at large in displaying how majoritarian politics can tear the fabric of a state asunder. The Bharat Mata, much adored and revered by the saffron party, is in tears for what has happened to her own daughters.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Draconion pre- condition for awards
Nowhere in the world, awards to academicians, artists, scholars, scientists and others come with any riders, pre- conditions or any undertakings from the recipients. Even, we have also seen some of the recipients of coveted awards such as the Nobel prize returning their laurels to record their resentment against certain policy decisions of the stakeholders, particularly the governments that are detrimental to the interest of the people.
This being the case, it is really shocking that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on transport, tourism and culture has recommended that prior to the release of academic and cultural awards such as the Sahitya Akademi awards and others, an understanding must be taken from all the potential recipients that they will not return the award later for any reason whatsoever and if they do so, they will never be eligible for any future awards, which is not only illogical but also draconian and undemocratic. It is also reported that many awardees have started returning academic as well as Padma awards only from 2015 in protest against the anti democratic and anti people policies of the present ruling dispensation which brought a slur on the functioning of the government.
It is unfortunate that instead of realising their follies for such painful decisions taken by the recipients of the awards, the government has preferred to insult the awardees with this new regulation which is unacceptable and has only brought disgrace to our nation. Will any scholar with self respect come forward to pawn his/herself respect to get an award with such a pre condition? If someone accepts to give such an undertaking prior to the award, it would only lead all to doubt the bonafides of the award winner and more importantly, the selection committee.A true academic, scholar or a real scientist will never accede to such a precondition.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Can P V Sindhu regain her form?
P V Sindhu’s horror patch persisted with another first-round exit at the Japan Open. The Chinese player Zhang Yi Man won in straight sets against the Indian player, whose game has fast gone downhill. Sindhu has been eliminated in the first round for the seventh time in 13 BWF World Tour events this year. She has been error-prone and struggled to finish points, even against weaker opposition. Only time will tell if she can recover from her slump.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
