THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Safeguard the sanctity of edu institutions
It is unfortunate that a small group of young boys and girls, affiliated to the ABVP had the audacity to barge into the premises of the prestigious St Xavier’s College, Mapusa indulging in sloganeering and creating a ruckus, forcing the college authorities to call off classes in view of the safety and security of its students. Such unruly and unethical behaviour calls for outright condemnation by all sections of civilised society and strict action by those responsible in safeguarding the sanctity of the sacred precincts of educational institutions.
How come these young students, who are the generation next leaders were seeing sitting in dharna in a college campus when they should have been sitting in their classrooms attending classes? Was this hungama by the BJP/RSS backed students’ body an orchestrated move to bring into disrepute an esteemed minority-run institution or an attempt to pollute and polarise young minds to further their pernicious agenda or just a ploy to divert people’s attention from the real issues plaguing our motherland? Time alone will tell. Undisputedly St Xavier’s College, Mapusa is a reputed institution in Goa and India that was won several honours over the last 60 years of its service in the field of education.
It has commendably carried out its mission of churning out good citizens and mature leaders who have, in different fields of life, been rendering yeoman services to the nation and society. I hope and pray that this sacrosanct temple of learning continues to be a beacon and lighthouse of value-based education, forming young minds and hearts to respond responsibly to the ever-growing challenges in society, and takes necessary measures to ensure that the sacredness of this hallowed institution is upheld, at all costs, in the face of denigrations and threats to its sovereignty and integrity.
Tomas Lobo, Aldona
Trouble for new footbridge in Panjim?
Taking cognisance of a petition filed by some citizens, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a three-member committee to submit a report within a month concerning the construction of the footbridge-cum-cycling track, opposite the Panjim market. The bridge is nearly completed and has been built over a sand bank of the River Mandovi and mouth of a tidally affected creek located in CRZ-I. The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) commenced the project after obtaining permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
One fails to understand as to how the GCZMA gave permission by violating the NGT’s decision of April 2022 in the C H Balamohan vs. Union of India & Others on the protection of beaches from human-induced erosion caused by hard structures. If the NGT stops the construction then crores of rupees would literally go down the Mandovi River. If not, then it would be like bolting the stable after the horses have fled and a case of too little, too late. The NGT will meet on March 27 to decide the merits of the case and fate of the footbridge. Hopefully by then it should not be inaugurated and used by the people! Till then let us watch the ebb and flow of tides in the chocked creek.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Goa evolving as nation’s crime capital
With burglars having dared to step into the Temple of Justice at Panjim, they have ventured into their last possible destination of crime. After all, the burglars never opt for the Secretariat or Legislative Assembly to commit a theft as some of their partners in crime are at those citadels of power.
We have grown in a crime free Goa that was known for its peace and tranquillity unlike a crime ridden Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Today we have surpassed those States in crimes of all types. There is a dire need to ponder and introspect as to why we have reached this current despicable situation in law and order, where the rule of law and good governance has long gone for a toss.
But those in power will not dare to do some soul searching on this issue concerning the well being and safety of every Goan and our institutions, as they know more than anything else that they are solely responsible for a crime-ridden State that Goa has been reduced to. This is the hard reality, and we would be careless and irresponsible to shy away from this dangerous reality!
While the rest of us are left to fend for our own security or live in fear, our politicians for their own safety move around surrounded by a fleet of bouncers. The burning question is while crime is rampant in lawless Goa, who will protect the common man on the streets, and more importantly the poorest of the poor and our cherished institutions?
Now that even our courts have become easy prey for burglars, all we can seek is the Almighty’s blessings to save and protect us and our land. We have long reached a point where the law enforcement authorities have been conveniently abdicating their bounden and fundamental responsibility to protect and support us and have proven time and time again to be impotent in discharging their responsibility, despite us the citizens footing the bill. God save and protect us and our Goa, once called the Pearl of the Orient, but now competing for the title of the Crime Capital of the Nation.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Save and protect State’s forest cover
It was shocking to see the wild pigs in Canacona running here and there between the people which was dangerous to the public and traffic passing by. Now, we can see most wild animals such as leopards and monkeys in our village. The reason behind this is that we the human beings are destroying their home forest where all types of animals live peacefully. We are becoming greedy and destroying the hills, mountains and the green forests for money. Our Goa government along with the Central government and the businessmen are destroying the environment our natural gift of God for their personal gain. When the animal’s homes called forest trees are cut off and destroyed then where all the wild animals will stay? Off course they will come and stay with the people who are attacking their homes. People complain saying that the monkeys come from forest areas and are destroying the fruits they grow at home, but who is responsible for destroying their fruit trees in the forests? Before pointing out the fingers at these innocent animals we have to think about their health, safety and the environment, the place they stay with the surrounding mountains, valleys and trees. Remember that if we don’t save and protect our wild animals today, in future our young generation will only see the wild animals in pictures on books and their videos and not in reality.
I request our both the Goa and Central governments and Forest Department to save and protect our forests for the safety of wildlife sanctuary. Be an animal lover and not an animal
destroyer.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Budget: A bonanza for senior citizens
The Union budget is a bonanza for senior citizens and women! Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman doubled the deposit limit for the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) and the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS). While the deposit limit for the SCSS has been raised from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, the individual account limit for POMIS has been increased from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Besides, the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, a new one-time scheme for women or girls, has been launched for two years till March 2025. It will invite a deposit of up to Rs 2 lakh at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
