Weed menace
Close on the heels of detecting a suspected cannabis plant (ganja) along the footpath near a mall at St Inez-Panjim, the same was attached by the police.
It may be recalled that on Saturday alert citizens had reportedly found a cannabis plant growing among other ornamental plants alongside a footpath. While the police suspect it to be an act of mischief by an unknown person, it still remains a dangerous act.
In the past there have been several instances when foreigners were caught growing cannabis in rented premises. Last year a foreign national was arrested for setting up a nursery facility at Pernem for growing narcotic substances. During interrogation, he revealed that he was using certain international websites to import these seeds to India and then grow the plants at the nursery.
While Goa has always had its fair share of problems with drugs, particularly in the coastal belt, the State is now grappling with a new trend of cannabis cultivation. Several foreigners, especially from Russia have been arrested for growing marijuana in a controlled climate within villas and large apartments.
Narcotic plants can be grown in the backyard and within the house as potted plants without drawing suspicion. Narcotics business is very lucrative and has a ready market. This could even attract unemployed Goan youth in making a quick buck. This menace should be nipped in the bud or Goa could be moving towards being “self-sufficient” in narcotic drugs.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Caution is a great medicine
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus has caused an alarm in India. HMPV has entered India with the speed of wind. Due to this, the past memories of coronavirus have been revived.
Like coronavirus, HMPV is also spreading rapidly, so there is a lot of fear among the people. Many people had to suffer huge financial losses due to the lockdown during Covid. That is why the name of lockdown now has shivered many. In such a critical time, to be careful is important. Care must be taken from the very beginning to avoid HMPV virus. For this, citizens should use masks from now on. We all know that caution is a great medicine for every disease.
Sudhir G Kangutkar, Vangani
Stupendous Exposition
preparations
I had the privilege to attend the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier on multiple occasions during the solemn 45-day period.
I visited with my family, friends and friends who had travelled to Goa from across the globe.
I have also attended the Exposition in 1994, 2004 and 2014. This year’s Exposition was a much better experience. The government and the church authorities worked in tandem to leave no stone unturned to make the solemn experience a blessed occasion.
Right from the shades for queues, helpful volunteers and talathis, wheelchairs for old and disabled, drinking water stations; the experience was excellent. Another good aspect was that there were no beggars, squatters and hawkers troubling the visitors.
The government has made this 45-day period a world class experience. The stellar Goan IAS Sandeep J. Jacques (Secretary of Revenue Dept) deserves all the appreciation for his pivotal leadership. He has literally slogged with his entire team to bring the excellent plans into reality. The Government of Goa should honour him on the upcoming Republic Day for his contributions.
Sadanand Raikar, Colva
Unnecessary panic
A few cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported from parts of India. While the common man is worried, there is absolutely no need to panic because the infection is similar to influenza-like infections that is commonly seen in India in early summer and winter. Since Covid-19 originated from China and that the first cases of HMPV have come from China, people are worried.
Of course, fever, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath mimic Covid-19 symptoms, but these are also manifestations of influenza-like infections. That being said, children below the age of 5, pregnant women, elderly and the immuno compromised are susceptible to HMPV.
Excessive self medication may worsen the symptoms; there is no vaccine for HMPV. Respiratory infection experts say that HMPV infection has been prevented across the globe for more than two decades- the first case was documented in the Netherlands in 2001-and it is only that specific cases are being detected now because more and more testing is being done.
It is pertinent to note that the WHO has not issued advisory of any sorts on HMPV. Covid-19 has taught a telling lesson to the world: personal hygiene cannot be compromised at any cost.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Punish guilty
contractors
Of late, very often we come across many borewell tragedies and there seems to be no permanent remedy to arrest such deaths.
The recent one is an 18-year-old girl, who has fallen into a deep borewell on January 6, 2025 in Gujarat’s Kutch district. We do not know how many days it will take to save her and whether she will survive.
Why can’t the High Courts or even the Supreme Court, take up such cases, suo motu, to punish the guilty contractors, who continue to be callous in leaving the borewells open.
Stricter punishment and payment of hefty compensation is the only solution to put an end to such a tragedy.
N Mahadevan, Chennai
