The introduction of the ban on liquor outlets within 500 meters along the highways is a rude shock to countless Goans who stand to lose their livelihoods at a time when the Goa Government in incapable of providing jobs to the unemployed youth.

There are many examples when both the Government of Goa and Central Government have gone to enormous lengths to legalise illegalities.  The Goa Government has legalised a hotel in Dona Paula which falls within the high tide line. The Goa Government is also in the process of legalising illegal houses built on Communidade and even on Government land. The latest example of appeasing vote banks has happened in Tamil Nadu when the Centre has given into legalising a medieval sport which defies any logic in present times.

Hence if the Government can go to such length to legalise illegalities why can’t the present Goa Government stand by the poor traders who stand to lose their only source of livelihood?

Matias Lobo, Oman

Pale shadow

It was a common belief among the laypeople that if justice is to be meted swiftly and cases are to be solved rapidly and without any political interference, the job should be handed to the most competent authority of CBI. 

However lately the organisation has become a pale shadow of itself with hardly anything to show for their huge reputation. It is a disgrace for the organisation that for four years it has been unable to solve a simple probe like the ‘Vasco minor girl rape case’ despite in possession of numerous evidences. Situation has come to such a pass that it looks like the agency has adopted the old proverb of ‘many questions if left unanswered for certain time will be answered by itself’ as its motto. 

While the government as an authority has failed to hold the agency for its failure, the lawmakers themselves has lost the moral power of guardians as they themselves manipulate the agency for their political ambitions.

Valent Mascarenhas, Calangute

As we are in the 21st century we have been witnessing 100’s of technological advancements and innovations. And indeed we are proud of it. Our country has strived hard to reach this level of advancement. A salute to such great minds. But as every coin has two sides, even this aspect has a positive and a negative effect. 

As many other social networking sites we have online payment sites which talk about payments done through our cell phones or computers which is simple and interesting. And this is a positive side which says that time is saved and such payments are a simple procedure. But wasn’t payment by hand more simple? A son who stays away from his parents to earn some money used to meet his parents with reasons of talking to them or giving them money from his salary, a sister-brother relationship or even a person travelling in a taxi has to no longer stop to pay money as these sites have taken this place. There has been no need left for anyone to talk to each other, be it among families or in business. Such social sites have made way to end up a social environment in the name of saving time and energy. The use of technology no doubt modernizes and advances people but also over using it may end up abandoning our social lives. 

Great scientist Albert Einstein feared of a day when technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots. 

Zeba Khan Pathan, Margao

This refers to your report “Hearing on CBI’s plea to close Vasco minor rape case today” (Feb 16). It is not that there is a sudden increase in crime against children but the reality is that such cases are being reported more now as people are coming out and speaking about it. It clearly shows that crimes against children tend to be local crimes with the vast majority taking place within the home or family circle. 

Trafficking of minor boys and girls has also increased - these children are trafficked for labour, begging as well as sexual abuse. One can observe that social values have degraded over the years. The high inspiration of the parents and when the children fail to live upto the expectation, they take the wrong path because of which other youths of their age fall victim to their wrongdoings. 

Children have always been a soft target both because at times they are not much aware of the fact that what is happening to them is wrong. If at all they are aware of it, then they are scared to speak about it. What we need is right from early childhood, kids should be taught about the sensitive issues and the lawmakers too should enact and follow strict laws to curb this menace and keep the kids safe. 

Weak legal system is yet another lacuna which adds to the menace.

Vinod C. Dixit, Ahmedabad