TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
EC should ensure free and fair election
As the campaign for the parliamentary election gathers momentum, there are fears about the communal thrust it has been acquiring. Debates about rising income inequality, growing unemployment and the need to provide free food grains to the mass poor are hardly heard of. Former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav is criticised not for his overkills but for consuming non-veg food during the Navratri celebration.
None less than PM Modi attacks the Congress not for its failures, but for its leaders not attending the Pran Prathishta ceremony at Ayodhya which purists like the Shankaracharyas had boycotted because the temple was far from complete. UP CM Adityanath Yogi threatens that new India terrorists’ homes would be bulldozed. All this is to scare a section of the population. The BJP hides its failings by adopting an aggressive strategy.
In order to ensure free and fair elections, ECI should act with firmness and determination to maintain the reputation and sanctity of the world’s largest electoral exercise.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Keep yourself hydrated during the summer
As predicted by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Altino, Panjim, that Goa will be sweltering by a massive heat wave, ranging from 30 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. However, the authorities concerned have also issued advisory pertaining to the sudden change in climate. No doubt, it's vacation time and Goa is frequently visited by domestic tourists from Mumbai and several other states, at this time of the year. Moreover, people are also in a hurry to save their stock for the monsoon. Therefore, the markets are loaded with stocks such as dry fish/mangoes/garam masalas, etc. There's a lot of hustle and bustle going on in the market. A lot of outdoor activity is the need of the hour for the local populace.
Subsequently, everyone including the tourists ought to follow the advisory issued by the concerned authorities. It's preferable that the tourists should swim exclusively in safe zones. Incase of any emergency, the lifeguards should be alerted instantly. Just to avoid sunburn and skin related rashes, the skin should be well moisturized. Furthermore, in view of this current situation, sitting on beach alongwith umbrella would be advisable, just to avoid direct contact with the sunrays. Due to immense heat, the beaches ought to be be visited between 7.30 am and 6 pm.
Eventually, to keep oneself hydrated throughout the day, it would be deemed fit to carry a water bottle. Drinking lots of water is always having enormous health benefits.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
Pedestrians need sufficient space
In India, the life of a pedestrian is consistently endangered. Although, speeding vehicles are the main causes of accidents causing pedestrian deaths, sometimes the walkers themselves have to blamed. Footpaths are designed for pedestrians to walk comfortably and safely though faulty design is often the rule.
In many cities, leave alone the smaller towns, footpaths are conspicuous by their absence. Abrupt end of a footpath is not uncommon. Vendors and beggars encroaching the footpaths is not a sight for the sore eyes. Apart from the aesthetic point of view, the vendors have endangered the lives of the walkers by virtually cutting off their space as the latter are forced to veer towards the edge of the road.
Are there enough number of pedestrian crossings in India, is a million dollar question. Even assuming there are plenty, do the pedestrians cross the roads only at crossings? The answer is no, and it's here that the authorities have to ensure that the people follow rules. Only a few big cities have subway facilities for walkers that too at select and crowded intersections.
Children and the elderly need special treatment on busy roads. Functionality of street lights should be taken care of. As far as possible, pedestrians should face the vehicles when they walk, preferably on the right sided footpaths in India.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Centre needs to pay heed to real issues
The rupee has rapidly been going down against the dollar for the last ten years. While Rs 59.44 could get one dollar on May 15, 2014, now one has to spend as much as Rs 83.45 to get one dollar. The ruling party at the Centre needs to pay heed to the real issues instead of escaping from them. Moreover, the growth in GDP cannot improve a common man's lot in a country where inequality is widening day by day.
The glaring inequality needs to be bridged by inclusive growth, developing social sectors, adopting labour intensive technology and ensuring social security for the needy.
Sujit De, Kolkata
When will the miseries of Ribandkar's end?
The headlines on O Heraldo dated April 10 — ‘Ri-band-ar is “bandh” as over ‘Smart’ digging heaps miseries of fears’; on April 11, O Heraldo “RIBANDAR ROARS” is it May? Is it June? Is there any deadline for the misery to end?’; and on Friday’s edition ‘Upset with un-‘Smart’ blockade of roads, Ribandar residents remove barricades’, is not only sad, but brings tears rolling not from eyes but from our hearts for Ribandkars.
Looking at the photos how our brothers and sisters, senior citizens and if there are persons with disabilities in Ribandar area or surrounding areas are going through their daily life is just not troublesome but it is a torture for the families and their loved ones for no fault of theirs.
God only knows till when their suffering will end. We should all pray that the so-called Smart City works get completed as soon as possible so that our brothers and sisters can restart living their lives peacefully.
Jerry Luis De Souza, Divar
Babasaheb will live in our hearts forever
Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, also known as Bhim Jayanti or Ambedkar Remembrance Day, is celebrated on 14 April every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, a leader of Dalits and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Along with reminding us of the extraordinary contributions of Dr Ambedkar, this day provides us an opportunity to reflect upon our ongoing journey for equality and social justice.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
