SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Hats off to Rajdeep
Thank you very much for the reproduction of Rajdeep Sardesai’s transcript, from the video blog, “Straight Bat” on the front page of your newspaper, Herald on June 8.
Rajdeep says, “Some of India’s finest citizens come from Jesuit schools.....” but you, Rajdeep are the first to have spoken and spoken boldly. I may have not heard others so think you’re a saving grace.
A single sparrow can announce Spring, you’ve be the harbinger, Spring will be here! With faith in God, we hope more swallows will sing and soon it’ll be Spring!
Fátima Antao, by email
Let's eradicate child labour
Most of us are fortunate to have and enjoy a childhood filled with memories. However, unfortunately among the masses there are still tender minds who are not fortunate enough to live their childhood as they deserve for various reason. Due to lack of financial support these children are forced to work inorder to feed their stomach as well as families. They wander about on streets with an aim to find any sort of job for the day in order have one meal. The ongoing pandemic has bought hardtimes on every soul.Many children have gone orphan. The one's residing on footpath and slums have become desperate to work.
There are Good Samaritans who show concern to look after these orphans. On the contrary there are evils, who exploit these homeless. Taking advantage of someone's innocence and desperate conditions is a social evil against lifeforms on earth and is still existing in society till date.
Knowing the appropriate before employing someone to work is very important. The need of the hour is to eradicate child labour. It is their age to live and enjoy childhood like any normal child. Contributing to NGOs who assist and aid these children would be an act of great generosity and appreciation. We need to acknowledge the good deeds and assist the needy rather than exploit them and their rights. You can start small by getting a smile on the face of one small soul. And also remember when you donate 'Donate as a good deed towards charity and not as an act for publicity.'
Lisa Fernandes, Quepem
Keep Dengue at bay
Though reported Dengue cases during the last quarter have been less compared to the corresponding period for 2020 we need to be on our guard and not take any chances for the forthcoming monsoon months; as of May, 101 cases have come to light compared to 150 last year.
The Directorate of Health Services has already issued instructions that patients exhibiting flu like symptoms and fever should compulsorily be tested for malaria and dengue, the government has also gone the extra mile this year by undertaking a door to door drive to destroy larvae breeding sites and fogging operations.
So far cases have been reported only from Vasco and adjoining areas which face water scarcity owing to which people are forced to store water; sometimes such uncovered vessels become breeding sites for the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, the vectors for this viral disease.
People should play their role in preventing Dengue by avoiding drip trays under flower pots, emptying bird baths and pet drinking water bowls at least once every week, securely covering rain water storage pits, household water tanks and septic facilities.
In addition water should not be allowed to stagnate around houses or in gardens and general hygiene measures should be adhered to, this would also help in the fight against Covid.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Announce interim relief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Centre will purchase and distribute to the states free of charge is the step in the right as many states were demanding such a step as announced by the PM.
Another decision the Prime Minister made was that 25 per cent vaccines will be given to private hospitals as there will be some population who doesn't want free so they can avail the benefit from private hospitals but with a cap. As a result they will not be able to charge exorbitant rates as was done earlier and the other decision was to extend Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna to the poor population. They will get free food grains till Diwali. This is a welcome step as people will not go hungry till Diwali.
But this is not the only thing the 80 per cent population needs, they also require money in their account to buy other necessary things for the families as these poor people don't have work and no income due to the lock down for more than a year now.
So I request the Prime Minister should announce a interim relief of rupees Rs 2000 per family from Prime Minister Relief Fund or other funds which can be given by curtailing other miscellaneous expenses till this pandemic subsidies as this money is not of the government but tax payers money and the government should not take credit for this as they were doing for vaccination by putting Modi's photo on the banners at vaccination centres.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
French Open will have a new Queen
Amidst the galaxy of stars in the women's draw of the French Open, predicting a champion would have definitely centered around the big names.
Four-time champion Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka withdrew after winning the first round when she controversially did not attend the customary post-match press conference and was fined $15,000 and was threatened further action for the remaining Grand Slams. Serena Williams lost in her bid to clinch the elusive 24th Grand Slam title and the redoubtable Ashleigh Barty threw in the towel due to an injury. Iga Swiatek who had not lost a set until the fourth round fell to Greek star Maria Sakkari in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter finals.
Now, Greece's Maria Sakkari plays Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic in the semis for a place in the final, while Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, crosses swords with Slovenia's 85th ranked Tamara Zidansek to decide who will become the latest French Open queen.
Either Greece, the Czech Republic, Russia or Slovenia will have one of their own new women star as the Queen of Roland Garros. Four until now unheralded women star tennis players will have the opportunity of scripting their names in the honour list of the French Open. A new queen will grace the prestigious French Open podium.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Decision on reversal of vaccination policy
Vaccination will be free for all eligible age groups, including those in the 18-44 segment, and the Centre will procure the vaccines and supply them to the States, which comes into effect from June 2021. It should have been made earlier.
The earlier policy had mandated that vaccine-makers provide 25% of their production to the States, another 25% to the private sector and 50% to the central government. The policy of leaving the States on their own was made just when a shortage of vaccines was about to hit the country. The States had to pay for the vaccines, and they were also left on their own to procure vaccines from foreign companies. The widespread criticism from the public, the media and from the Supreme Court, which censured the government forced BJP government to announce the policy change.
The return to a long established policy of central responsibility, the vaccines must reach the maximum number of people at the earliest. But why burden on the middle class and the salaried people with payments in private hospitals. The availability of vaccines might be a problem, as the two Indian vaccine makers has said that they will step up supplies from July.
K. G. Vilop, Chorao
