Act against illegal
rental units
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It is learnt that a day after solving the gang-rape of a mentally challenged woman at Cansaulim, the Fatorda police reportedly moved the Tourism Department for cancellation of trade license of the guest house at Cansaulim where the victim was sexually assaulted by the five accused persons. This is a step in the right direction as it will act as a deterrent for such horrific incidents taking place. According to the police, the guest house at Cansaulim where the crime took place did not maintain any details of the accused nor their identities. It is learnt that one of the alleged accused would often visit the guest house with various women and the details were never registered on the log book.
Did the staff of the guest house not find it suspicious that a woman of unsound mind was accompanied by five men? It must be made mandatory for guest houses to keep a record about the identities of the guests along with the purpose of their visit to the locality. It is pertinent to note that there is a proliferation of rental units illegally operating as tourist accommodations. Many of these could be used for illegal activities and could serve as temporary accommodation for thieves, anti-social elements and even terrorists. The tourism department needs to act against these illegal rental units as it hurts the interest of legitimate hotels thereby causing loss of revenue to the government.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
India tops global
tuberculosis burden
It pains to note that India still continues to lead in the global TB burden with 26% of cases according to WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024. This is, in spite of the fact that TB is a detectable and curable disease and its diagnosis and treatment methods have been a part of the existing health systems in the country for a long time.
While TB can affect people of any class, religion, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, it disproportionately affects the most marginalised in society, including children, the urban poor, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
By adopting a holistic and person-centred approach, India can overcome the barriers that stand in the way of TB control and create a healthier future for all its citizens.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
No rest for the
culture seekers…
We became winter residents of Reis Magos around 15 years ago. It appealed to us as a quiet, relaxed winter escape home from Boston Massachusetts. We imagined the quiet pursuit of painting, walking on the beach, with an occasional foray into bird watching , and the gentle excitement of waking up to the sound of waves and birds. So, here we are, first week in Reis Magos and we are running around to see an incredible circus, dance performance in Anjuna, go to an invigorating thought provoking book group discussion at Literati led by author Saurabh Kirpal, played bridge at a Community center in Saligao, played Pickle ball in Candolim, saw an art show at the Sunaparanta, spent time at the Lok Utsav in Panjim and are now looking forward to the Monte festival! What happened to our vision of sleepy laid back Goa? I know it exists and we will seek it out. The cultural offerings in Goa are enticing and varied. Goa offers nourishment for the mind and the soul.
Rani Sarin, Reis Magos
Take steps to control
stray cattle, dogs
This has reference to the report ‘Stray cattle and dogs create nuisance at night in Mapusa’ (Herald – January 27, 2025).
It seems like the issue of stray dogs and cattle will remain a never ending topic of discussion, whether it is in Goa or in cities like Mumbai. Time and time again, this issue has been highlighted in the media, yet there seems to be no concrete steps being taken to contain this menace. How many more people should get seriously injured or lose their lives on account of these strays? Or, how long are people going to live in constant fear of being attacked by strays?
The government and those concerned, must take a stand and make suitable, practical laws or guidelines with regard to stray dogs and cattle and ensure that the citizens live in safety.
Melville X. D’Souza, Mumbai
Nepal hikes permit fees for Mount Everest
Nepal is all set to hike the permit price to climb the tallest peak, Mount Everest, by an increase of over 36 percent.
Fees for those wanting to climb the peak during off period will also have to pay a big amount for climbing one of the natural wonders of the blue planet. Income from permit fees is a key source of revenue for Nepal, with mountain climbing and trekking contributing more than 4% to the mountain nation’s economy.
Mountaineering experts have often criticised Nepal for permitting too many climbers on Everest, and some years back haphazard and horrendous incidents occurred when there was a terrible traffic jam on the mount with so many climbers queuing up to reach the pinnacle. Also garbage dumped during trekkings created the mount into the world’s highest garbage dump. The price hike might in someway help curtail the number of climbers going on top of the peak and also help the nation to make use of the revenue for protection and preservation of the peaks ecology. The Himalayan nation should curtail the number of climbers per year which can help in keeping the sanctity and mightiness of the peak.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Sinner on a roll
23-year-old Jannik Sinner, the first Italian tennis player to ascend to the world number one ranking, has proved his mettle once again by lifting his second Australian open title. After coming up trumps at the US open in September last year, Sinner seems destined for bigger things as he is virtually on a roll from early 2024.
Having reached the semi-finals of French open and Wimbledon last year, and notwithstanding a tennis player’s famous achilles heel–injury– Sinner has come back every time he was considered down and out. Currently, Sinner has two top players to contend with for glories at big tournaments apart from Novak Djokovic: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Russian Daniil Medvedev, both at the prime of their careers.
Though not exactly in the mould of the famous Federer, Nadal, Djokovic rivalry, the Sinner, Alcaraz, Medvedev trio appears to rule the tennis world albeit in a different way. Sinner’s powerful first serve and two–handed backhand volleys standout.
Although experts see ” Novak Djokovic”, in Sinner’s playing style, the Italian has been praised for “Roger Federer like” cool and calm composure on the tennis court.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
