13 Apr 2021  |   04:50am IST

Letters to the editor (13 April 2021)

Letters to the editor (13 April 2021)

Follow SOPs even after vaccination

It is learnt that more than 8,000 people were inoculated during the “Tika Utsav”, a vaccination drive that commenced in the State on Sunday. More than 4,000 people were vaccinated across 16 panchayats. This is a good development as it shows that more and more people are coming forward to take the jab. However, there could be a flip side to it. Those who have taken the vaccine could be under the false impression that they are now protected from the virus and could go on with their daily activities without adhering to the pandemic related protocol. They could be moving about without the mandatory mask, not maintaining social distancing nor using the sanitiser. This behaviour could put these people more at risk of being infected.

It is understood that even a person who has taken the second dose of the vaccine needs to wait for two months to get immunity. Even then the vaccine may not give one total protection but reduce the symptoms and prevent fatality. Hence following the SOPs of ‘SMS’ namely “Social Distancing, Mask and Sanitisation” need to be followed even after the vaccination regime.

It should become a way of life as long as the pandemic prevails. It would be desirable to sensitise all those who take the first dose of the vaccine on this matter. People could be under the wrong impression that the vaccine is a cure for the Coronavirus infection. This thought process needs to be done away with.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco


Saving the Basilica

Last month there was an article in the Herald,” saving the structure of the Basilica at Old Goa”. A meeting was attended by experts convened by the principal of the Goa College of Architecture. They came to two conclusions that the strength of laterite stone cannot be increased and that the walls had to be re-plastered, no mention was made on type of plaster. Probably details were not divulged. Compressive strength of any laterite can be increased by a certain technique developed in 2013. Treated laterite tested on March 16, 2021 showed an average Strength increase from 1 to 1.5 N/mm Sq.

Subsequently test done on April 7, 2021 showed an average increased strength to 5.18 N/mm. In both instances 4 samples were tested and their average stated. Treated samples were from the weakest strata of laterite of 1 N/mm Sq, Treatment increased their strength.

Compressive strength of laterite varies from 1 to 3.7 N/mm Square.

Any doubts? I have the reports from Don Bosco College of Engineering. Testing was done on an universal testing machine. In an initial sample, compressive strength increased from 1 to 1.3 N/mm. This test was done just to check if I was on the right path. The next two tests prove the statement above. Anyone interested, can have the picture of the two reports. 

Secondly if plaster is applied to the surface of a weakened structure it will not hold.

It is well known that the outer walls of the structure of the Basilica are crumbling. For over 70 years the rains have washed over the exposed laterite leaching it away. The best plaster cannot hold on a weak surface. So if any plaster is applied it will fall off as it happened in the case of Velim church. This is no rocket science but simple lay mans language. Draw your own conclusions.

Fernando da Costa, by email


U-turn in enforcing new MV Act

In less than 24 hrs of announcing that the new MV (Amendment) Act 2019 will be implemented in Goa from May 1, 2021, the State government changed its track and said that its enforcement will be delayed. The State giving lame excuses of creating awareness and improving road conditions. Citizens know well that roads of Goa will not be improved forever. If the government is serious about implementing the act, it would not have been dragged its feet for 18 months.

By taking such a stand, the government has shown it lacks decision making abilities and exposed its wavering policies. It's surprising that even after 18 months of the new MV act formulated by the Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi government to bring discipline on the roads and imposing steep fines to act as a strong deterrent against gross violations, the State taking U-turn is unfortunate.

Moreover till today the State authorities failed to follow the order of HC bench of Goa in the matter of implementation of Automated Tracking Device with integrated emergency system and digital fare meter in passenger taxis. The reluctance of some States to implement the amended law emanates from compulsions of vote bank politics. But politicians must realise that certain decisions must be taken for greater good of the society, even if they aren’t popular. And this may be a bonanza for Gudi Padwa/Sansar Padwa festival for the people by the government.

KG Vilop, Chorao


Portuguese article,unique & informative

I always make it a point to read the half page articles that are published regularly every Sunday on Herald's Review page. I am sure that everyone who had the opportunity to study Portuguese during their youth or acquired its knowledge otherwise, must be reading them with great delight. All these articles are unique and informative, as they deal mostly with social, cultural and historical aspects of Goa. However, this Sunday under the caption "Korlai, onde o Português é língua Indiana" an article by Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira was simply amazing. Indeed it's impossible to believe that there is still a pocket within Maharashtra with remnants of Portuguese language speaking folks in their own dialect or Nossling.

Kudos to Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira and Fr Sebastião Mascarenhas for visiting Korlai personally and having acquainted themselves by mingling with the folks there and experience the manner in which Portuguese language is spoken without having any semblance of learning but just being transmitted by word of mouth from generation to generation. 

The present generation in Goa are really lucky as they have various avenues open to them to study formally this beautiful language and read, write and speak as it should be.

Antonio Diniz, Fatorda


Manhole above road level

This has reference to the Citizen Herald’s ‘Sewage manhole covers in Vasco above road-level?’ (Herald April 12, 2021). This piece of news caught my attention while going through the Herald. I like the explanation given by Adelmo Fernandes, that the manhole covers should be in level with the roads. Or else, there are bound to be accidents, especially with two-wheelers. Rightly stated.

Well, this is an all too familiar sight in Mumbai. Yes, one will find the sewage lines are built haphazardly without adhering to basic technical guidelines, leave alone the safety of those using the roads. Needless to say, the civic authorities in charge of such infrastructure ought to get serious about this issue. Many lives have been lost to accidents on account of bad roads and manhole covers not placed in the right manner.

In addition to what Adelmo has mentioned with regard to the levelling of the manhole covers, the authorities need to ensure that a strong iron mesh be placed before the manhole covers so that in case the covers need to be opened during monsoon floods, this mesh will act as a safety net for the unwary pedestrian. Several lives have been lost in Mumbai because there was no iron mesh below the covers.

And of course, maintenance is an important issue which all civic authorities ought to look into. Let the authorities understand, lives of the common man do matter.

Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai

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