Kudos to protesters from Anjuna-Vagator
Protesters from Anjuna and Vagator should be congratulated for holding their candlelight protest since the last few days to keep a strict vigil against those trying to disturb their sleep by playing loud music after 10 pm, for questioning the corrupt cops from their jurisdiction for not doing anything to stop this menace of noise pollution and for personally forcing a few clubs playing loud music after 10 pm to go silent.
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It is alleged that the reason why most clubs of late are seen defying the High Court’s order and so daringly disturbing the peace of others by playing loud music even after 10 pm in places like Anjuna/Vagator is because they pay huge bribes to middlemen of local politicians and the cops too posted in the above area to be on the safer side.
Why do most cops take their postings today mostly in all the coastal belt areas by even using the influence of their political godfathers? Well, that’s because they know that they can make a lot of money in such areas through extortions, by accepting huge bribes from all the notorious people, i.e. right from organisers of rave/EDM parties, non-Goan outsiders running all the discotheques/clubs/pubs/prostitution centres to those running the drugs trade.
As long as the government itself keeps fully patronising all types of filthy activities in all the coastal belt in the name of promoting tourism, keeps unleashing corrupt cops, the local people from all such areas will have to continue coming out with many more such morchas/candlelight protests to fight against the corrupt system and themselves go to stop all the non-Goan club owners from playing their blaring loud music from their premises after 10 pm and disturbing others in Goa.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Provide transport to female hospital staff
The Goa government reportedly said that physical attacks on doctors are unacceptable in any society and that government as well as private doctors in Goa should be provided a security shield. It is learnt that CCTV cameras have been installed and all government medical institutions have been covered.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane assured that security of private sector doctors will also be taken care of and a decision to install CCTV cameras in private hospitals also will be taken soon. These are steps in the right direction. Be that as it may, it is pertinent to note that it is not only the doctors who are at risk of an attack but also the nurses and the lady staff working in a hospital on night-shift who are equally at risk.
Again it is not only in the hospital that the doctors and other staff can be attacked but also while travelling to and from the hospital during the night shift. In such instances, CCTV cameras installed at the hospitals will be of no use. It should be made mandatory for the government and private hospitals to provide transport facilities for the lady staff working in both government and private hospitals on night shift. Many nurses and lady staff of private hospitals travel for work on their two-wheeler at odd hours.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Crimes against women on rise
The barbaric atrocities are increasing day by day and it spells doom to a civilized and educated society. Worse news which had trickled few days back was that of rape, followed by the death of the victim; once again it brought to the fore the dreadful experiences which women have to go through in their daily lives.
Moreover, the ferocious incident has snowballed into a major tragedy. Evidently, while taking note, it’s feared that this is just one of them which we are aware of, as it’s highlighted in the media. Subsequently, there are many such type of atrocities across India which go unnoticed and even unattended as they never get highlighted in the main stream media, or due to lack of complaint filed against it. Sadly, the stigma attached to it makes it more dangerous. This has thrown up only a host of questions, and one of them is that as how can such type of evils be rooted out from our society?
However, it’s not just a one time implementation, but progressively continue to call for decisive action to inculcate stringent measures to root out these anti social elements from our society.
In keeping a balance and human approach towards this issue, renewing of one’s mind and having immense respect towards humanity can be considered as the best fix. In this manner, knowledge through education is likely to be the torch bearer to enlighten one’s mind. However, it would be advisable if the government provides a reality check pertaining to individuals /persons suffering from abnormal mental illnesses or psychological behaviour disorders. Henceforth, proper counselling ought to be provided.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Rajasthan
Democracy and accountability
We do not need a Gita Gopinath of the IMF to point out that we need more structural reforms, reduce import tariffs and enhance global trade etc when nations are looking inward to change the present world equations and domination.
We do need better internal democracy and accountability which our Independence and Constitution have guaranteed us. The horrific Wayanad landslide and the present doctors all India strike due to the gruesome rape and murder of a young lady doctor on night duty at the RG Khar Medical College and Hospital, I hope will allow us to speak what is unpalatable to the ruling dispensation and for that matter perhaps all the political parties and be heard!
There are plenty of problems but let me list some vital, urgent reforms. First is democratic respect for Opposition and decent behavior from all with free truthful speech, both in Parliament and Media/ Press. Next are the long debated overdue vital Police Reforms and enabling views of stakeholders not to be bulldozed where due process of law, human rights and justice must prevail. Unity in Diversity not only in word but more so in deed! Right now there is no real accountability/admission for man made calamities that people suffer. At the most an investigation, some lowly scapegoat is suspended or dismissed, maybe heavy compensation in cash paid and back to square one!
High time for drastic structural changes for “be you so high or low” accountability and justice, to encourage people of value not selfish success and nurture a beautiful happy nation with love, joy and peace and no place for hate.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim.
Death knell for cashew industry
Goa’s cashew industry is in dire straits as many processing industries are getting shuttered due to stiff competition from cheaper imported nuts, climate change, plantations being sold to builders, borer infestation and unscientific farming practices. In the past few years, about 500 cashew processing plants have sprung up in Kolhapur and Belagavi as cashew production has increased multifold in these areas.
Raw cashew from African countries like Tanzania, Benin and Tonga are brought in for as low as Rs 88 per kg. while the crop from Karnataka and Maharashtra is available for Rs 100 per kg. As against this, Goan cashew retails for Rs 157 and doesn’t find many takers now. The other very worrisome aspect is that the yield in our state is only 1 kg per tree as opposed to 12 kgs. in other countries.
Neighbouring states too are tapping new and improved planting and cashew harvesting techniques while Goa relies on old existing trees and orthodox methods of farming. As a consequence nut production has fallen to 15,000 tonnes from 27,000 tonnes earlier. The sale of imported nuts as Goan products indicates the industry’s progressive decline despite the government offering upto Rs 10 lakhs subsidy for setting up new processing units. Land rates and labour costs (Rs 560 per day as minimum wage) are very high in Goa in comparison to other states.
It is clear that the cashew industry in Goa is on the verge of closing down for good unless the government and the cashew cultivators resort to some out of the box thinking.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
