SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Let’s be at the frontline of climate action
World Meteorological Day takes place every year on March 23 and commemorates the coming into force on March 23, 1950, of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization. It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world. The themes chosen for the World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate or water-related issues. This year's theme is ‘At the frontline of climate action’.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai
HC is the only solace left for Panjimities
Three individuals from Panjim have reportedly filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petition before the High Court of Bombay at Goa highlighting the potential health hazards that may be ensued on account of the authorities not undertaking adequate measures to curb or control or eliminate the dust pollution caused by the various roads and other infrastructure works being undertaken in the capital city.
Well, the city godfathers have indeed turned the once beautiful Panjim city into a messy dust pollution causing city to enjoy their own 'ache din' by allowing some contractors to indiscriminately vandalise/damage most of the interior roads of the city in slow motion in the name of laying some underground cables, sewerage/drainage pipelines/ chambers etc and turning it into a smart city.
In fact, today people coming from far away places too must be wondering whether they are really in the capital city of Goa or in some mining belt area after moving around in some of the interior roads of Panjim city and personally experiencing dust pollution everywhere instead of clean fresh air. Now, for how many more years will the government appointed contractors keep digging the interior city roads and make the Panjimites/Goans to suffer & live with dust pollution in Goa?
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Metal enclosures can prevent vandalism
Panaji police on Thursday reportedly detained a 33-year-old man for allegedly desecrating a cross on the Altinho-Panaji slope after a complaint was lodged since it could hurt religious sentiments. It is learnt that an FIR under section 295 of IPC was registered following the complaint. However due to indications of mental illness, the accused was referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) for treatment. Be that as it may, in the past Goa has witnessed several incidents of vandalism of roadside religious structures, including crosses and Hindu religious symbols. It may be recalled that in July 2017, about 40 crosses and gravestones were vandalized by miscreants at a cemetery in Curchorem.
Thankfully all such anti-social activities have not resulted in any reaction from the citizens because Goans are a peace-loving people and such cowardly acts by some miscreants cannot disturb the communal harmony that Goa is known for all over the globe. However it seems absolutely necessary to take remedial steps in order to prevent such incidents of vandalism. Police cannot keep a watch on all religious structures given the sheer number of them present by the roadside. Hence it would be advisable to have some metal fencing or a gated metal grill enclosure put up around each of these roadside religious structures in order to prevent miscreants causing damage to them.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Promulgate ordinances for citizens’ welfare
An ordinance is a valuable tool of law which is used by Central, State or Local governments for several reasons. In Goa, ordinances have been proclaimed to save a part of a 5-star hotel which was to be demolished as per Supreme Court’s order. Recently ordinances were issued permitting the erection of shacks and temporary structures on public beaches with a consent only from the tourism department. An ordinance was declared to validate the Outline Development Planning of five coastal villages in north Goa.
The government should announce a slew of ordinances for the welfare of the citizens. These fiats could be against: drinking and driving; pollution of all kinds especially noise beyond the prescribed time and sound limits; various in-your-face illegalities etc. There could be ordinances: to install fare metres in taxis and autorickshaws so that the passengers are not fleeced; for bus owners to issue tickets, wearing of uniforms and to maintain courtesy by the drivers and conductors; for those who use government’s premises but do not pay rents, taxes and utility bills. The list is long but a beginning could be made by promulgating important and people-centric edicts rather than only for choose-and-pick issues that benefit only a handful of people and stakeholders.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Glimmer of hope for Navelim farmers
This has reference to the report ‘After 40 years, Navelim farmers take up cultivation’ (Herald March 22, 2024).
That is certainly some encouraging news a far as agriculture is concerned. Just when one would think that agriculture is a lost cause, here comes a glimmer of hope from the Navelim farmers resuming farming 40 years after abandoning farming due to contamination of the soil on account of sewage flowing into the Saipem Lake from stormwater drains in Margao. A great achievement certainly. However, the challenge is, to guard against the recurrence of such disasters in the future. And of course, one would have to put up with the vagaries of nature. One thing is certain, you cannot play with nature and get away with it. We need to treat nature with due respect.
Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai
Lakshya Sen dazzles again
Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen was ranked sixth in the world for a brief period in 2022. Then he was on a high after entering the final of the prestigious All England badminton. But a series of early exits and injuries ensured, he plunged to a lowly 25 only to cling on to world number 19 ranking later. The 23-year-old hit a purple patch in his career again by lifting the men's singles trophy in the Canadian open BWF series. Much was expected of him in the 2022 All England championship match but the Dane great, Viktor Axelsen was too good for the Indian. However, by entering the semis of the 2024 All England, where he lost to the eventual champion Indonesia's Jonatan Christie, Lakshya has sent signals that he is here to stay,
Lakshya went down in a hard fought three --setter. One cannot lose sight of the fact that Lakshya scalped fourth seeded Anders Antonsen and World number ten Lee Zii Jia enroute to the semifinals. Lakshya is a giant killer, he has the knack of coming from behind to outfox his opponents. Coaches Vimal Kumar and the great Prakash Padukone are keen that Lakshya improves upon his all round game. To excel in any sport discipline a combination of personal skills, physical prowess and psychological acumen are bare necessities. However, at the very top, tactical mastery is an added weapon for a player.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
India's fertility rate has fallen
Today India is the first in the world in terms of population. For the past several days, they have overtaken China, which is number one in terms of population in the world. Despite this, India's fertility rate has fallen.India's fertility rate in 1950 was 6.2It has come down to 1.9 in 2021 and it will be 1..04 in 2100.
This estimate was given by Lancet and it has been expressed in this science journal. Fertility rate to maintain the population of any country must be 2.1. This door is called the replacement rate, if the fertility rate falls below this, the population can decrease. The same situation is seen all over the world. Even today, India is known in the world as a country of youth. Today, the number of elderly people is increasing in the country. It is important to provide them with proper facilities. According to information, 78 out of total elderly people do not have any kind of pension etc. facilities so they have to depend on their children. Even as the overall fertility rate declines, many new problems are emerging. They have to face you
Shantaram Wagh, Pune
