Reserve parking
space for PwDs
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In a significant decision, the South Goa District Collector has reportedly notified parking areas for Person with Disabilities (PwDs) at public places across the district. This is a step in the right direction and needs to be emulated in North Goa as well. Parking slots reserved for disabled persons are extremely important because they allow people with mobility limitations or other challenges to have safe access to buildings, shopping malls, etc.
Commercial establishments and starred hotels should provide reserved parking space for senior citizens and PwDs. These parking slots need to be wider than the standard ones. This allows enough space for a disabled person to safely navigate their vehicle and assemble any mobility equipment they require. The parking space needs to be in front of or near the entrance to the building or facility.
It is common knowledge that people who do not have any mobility issues, park their vehicles in parking spaces earmarked for PwDs. There needs to be clear and consistent signage. The police need to take action against vehicle owners for illegal parking by imposing a penalty. In addition it may be necessary to tow away the illegally parked vehicles. There is a need to raise awareness among the citizens not to park their vehicles in space earmarked for PwDs. Citizens need to report to the police of any wrong parking. Vehicles need to have a sticker at the back depicting that they are being driven by PwDs.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Extend mid-day meal
scheme to class XII
To check the rate of dropout in schools, the education minister of Bengal, requested the central government to extend the midday meal scheme up to class X. Now, students get the meal only till class VIII, the cost of which has been shared by the Centre and states in a 60:40 ratio. Children are unable to learn optimally when they are hungry.
To address this problem, the new National Educational Policy has proposed that the midday meals provided to students in government and aided schools should be supplemented by breakfast. A country cannot progress if it neglects the health and education of its future citizens. The Centre should introduce breakfast along with midday meals and extend it not just to class X but up to class XII to minimise the high dropout rate in the secondary and higher secondary levels. It will help students from under privileged families to complete school education. It can also bridge the gap between the nutrition they get and the nutrition they require.
Sujit De, Kolkata
Apathy mars
govt quarters
The PWD should ban contractors from participating in its tendering process for their poor quality construction and renovation of Government residential quarters.
With substandard quality of painting of quarters, occupants of these quarters are compelled to engage workers on their own to get the same work done. Thus the public exchequer is looted by tainted people. A classic example is of the 18-A Qrtrs at Patto, where all poor and substandard quality of works done and cracks on walls and ceiling keep falling.
The employees shy away from occupying these quarters due to poor maintenance. Even staff living in various government quarters have often complain that the apartments are never maintained and keep leaking during the rains. Govt Quarters are public property and have to be viewed as assets to be treated in such manner.
K G Vilop, Chorao
India-Canada ties should
improve with PM’s exit
The surprise resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could pave the way for a diplomatic reset with India, which hopefully will ease tensions over the contentious allegations about New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June last year. It is not yet clear who the Liberal Party will choose as Trudeau’s successor, but analysts say, irrespective of the appointee, there will now be room for renewed negotiations between the two countries.
It remains to be seen whether the next leader chosen by the Liberal Party takes a more propitiatory tone towards Delhi. However, analysts say that Trudeau’s successor may not like to be seen as being hostile towards India. Keeping aside India’s relations with Canada, the political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for the North American country internationally.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Canadian PM
bites the bullet
One of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers and its most popular leader in recent history, Justin Trudeau’s announcement of his resignation was expected as there was increasing discontent within the ruling party as well as voters. Canada, once a tranquil, snow-covered nation known for its kindness and hospitality, now faces significant turmoil. Driven by vote bank politics, Trudeau raised New Delhi’s hackles over the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case. He antagonised India that has been contributing significantly to the Canadian economy through its students and skilled workers.
The impending Trump presidency has generated more economic and diplomatic uncertainty and his statement that he wants to merge Canada with America as 51st state is indeed worrying for Canada. While the change of guard in Canada is an opportunity for India to mend its soured ties, Trudeau’s departure may open the door for new opportunities and challenges for Canada’s political future. Nonetheless, New Delhi will be hoping that his exit will help the two democracies press the reset button
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Politicians should
mind their language
The presence of aggressive personalities in politics is a common sight. Words blurted out within the privacy of four walls may escape attention, but not those uttered in full public glare. Stream of verbal abuse may create more scars than a physical attack because physical injuries are there to be seen; the injuries will heal over a period of time but the imprints of verbal mistreatment are deeply engraved on a mind.
People in power have to be pragmatic because they are under constant public scrutiny. BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri is alleged to be a controversial man who was in the news earlier as well for various reasons. Bidhuri was almost unapologetic for throwing verbal garbage at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
An unrefined Bidhuri has overshot his limits causing embarrassment to his party which is unfortunate considering his standing in politics.
One hopes the minister takes a leaf out of his leaders’ books; better sense should prevail upon him.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
