Frequent power failures are a major issue
Frequent power failures are in fact a major problem in certain parts of our country, including Goa. It occurs more during the monsoon, nevertheless its aftermath linger for the full year. The country is progressing with advanced technology, but sad to say that certain places have to suffer with poor power supply. Preventive measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary mess in the monsoon. It’s a fact that after strong winds, power cuts follow. Unfortunately, though it may be justified in such a scenario, but what about power failure when there is no storm or no rain.
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Sadly, it takes several hours for power supply to resume, thus creating multiple losses to consumers. Moreover, power failures really make it difficult for senior citizens to survive in the sweltering heat. In many places which are infested with mosquitoes, these insects have a field day. This issue of frequent power failure needs attention on priority basis by the concerned authorities.
Joseph Savio DeSouza, Candolim
Improve law and order in the state
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, whilst speaking at a function of the commemoration of 350th Coronation Day of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Betul Fort, had openly said that his government is trying to wipe out the traces of Portuguese after 60 years of Goa’s Liberation to start afresh and focus on rebuilding Goan Culture.
Well, first of all, does Sawant really know why a tiny Indian state like Goa is known today as a most famous tourist destination in the world? Yes, that’s because we Goans have a mix of Portuguese culture and still have our own uniqueness in almost every field. i.e. from our lifestyles, cuisine to music.
I therefore think that Sawant should first try to improve the law & order problem.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Laboratory safety in educational institutions
The students studying science in schools, higher secondaries and colleges need to conduct experiments that involve handling electrical instruments, chemicals, Bunsen burner, etc. The students may suck acids or other hazardous solutions through pipettes, casually handle the chemicals and fool around with the instruments. In most educational places there might be an absence of safety measures, except for wearing a laboratory coat. Safety glasses, gloves, auto pipettes etc. are neither provided nor are students asked to buy them. Even first aid boxes may be unavailable and if present these may contain dirty cotton balls and expired medicines. Fire hydrants too could be missing or not refilled and checked.
Several changes in the educational patterns and systems would be implemented by the National Education Policy (NEP) and University Grants Commission (UGC) and some of the reforms would ease and enlarge the learning processes. Hopefully, NEP and UGC have given due consideration to the safety of students. If not, they could mandate the educational institutions to (1) conduct a class on safety guidelines for teachers and students, (2) form a safety committee, (3) frame rules to be followed in the laboratories, (4) make students and teachers wear protective gears, (5) install smoke detectors and fire hydrants in laboratories and these are to be regularly maintained and tested, (6) train science teachers in first aid and CPR techniques, and (7) outline procedures in case of any emergency. Safety of the students is important and needs to be prioritised rather than only insisting on high marks.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Kudos to Railway Minister Vaishnaw
Kudos to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the team of railway officials and employees, who worked so hard, not even sparing a minute and getting the tracks ready for transportation. The minister and his huge team camped at the disaster sight for three days, taking stock of the situation, and within 51 hours of the accident got the tracks ready for rail movement. The minister not only led the team for relief and rescue operations but simultaneously saw to it that restoration work was done so that rail connectivity in the eastern section was done without delay . This shows his grit, determination and commitment to his work. He also made arrangements with the medical department to provide medical care and directed the various departments for identification and handing over of bodies of the victims to their relatives. He was also deputy secretary in the office of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, besides showing his calibre as a team leader in the various departments and institutions he worked. His devotion to his tasks , responsibility, persistence and zeal to accomplish his duty is an answer to those baying for his blood and resignation.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Need of the hour is to improve safety in trains
The horrible ‘triple train tragedy’ that led to the killing of so many precious lives is deeply saddening and most unfortunate in this era of invention, progress and modernization. This horrible accident points to the fact that progress and modernization don’t matter without safety. The inauguration of the new and smart trains like Vande Bharat is excellent, but without improving safety in common trains it is no good. People travel everyday in sleeper coaches and general coaches. I humbly request the Union Railway Ministry Ashwini Vaishnav to pay attention on these issues by extending safety in trains.
Jahangir Shaikh, Mumbai
New Act should decongest prisons
If there is one aspect of criminal justice system that begs to be overhauled, then it is prison reforms. The Prisons Act, 1894 is jaded and antiquated. Its main thrust is on retribution and reform has been relegated to the sidelines. A new Act that focuses on correction and rehabilitation was badly needed in India for long.
The ministry of Home Affairs is said to have prepared a draft of Model Prisons Act, 2023, that has a good number of salient features, in its endeavour to reform and rehabilitate prisoners. India has the third highest undertrial population in Asia. Most of the country’s jails are packed with inmates with little provision for ensuring their health and hygiene. In the USA, 20% of the prisoners are undertrials compared to the whopping 60% in India.
The Justice Amitava Banerjee committee setup by the Supreme Court in 2018 has emphasised on technology to hasten trials especially through video conferencing. The new Act should decongest prisons; there is no time to waste. The proposals to introduce parole, furlough and remission to undertrials because emotional stability can go a long way to benefit inmates. Since lack of legal knowledge, and little legal assistance from the government, compound the prisoners’ misery, the Banerjee committee recommendation that special courts be setup apart from increasing the lawyers to prisoners ratio, merit attention.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
