THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Alcohol meters are not in use?
What a surprise I got on Monday! I asked a traffic policeman in Dona Paula why clearly intoxicated tourists are not been checked for alcohol consumption while riding two wheelers as I find them driving recklessly all over Panjim.
The reply was that their instruments are not working and if they fine someone the law goes against them as proofs cannot be given in court. Although all of us know that many of these tourists are causing disturbances, police are helpless.
There is neither CCTV on roads nor alcohol meters. When will our police have the tools they need? What a shame! Government has no control?
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Newborn abandoned at Sanquelim
This is with ref to the news article where a newborn was found abandoned yesterday wrapped in a plastic bag at a garbage dump site. Luckily someone who had come to the site heard the desperate cries of the baby. In the month of October a baby was similarly abandoned at Siridao Beach but unfortunately was torn apart by strays. Police tried to desperately search for the culprits and had interviewed as many as 200 suspects but couldn’t trace the parents of the baby.
Similarly, some years back a baby was found at the foothills of Saligao - Porvorim with head crushed and limbs torn apart which at that time was speculated to be an aborted foetus. Around that time another baby was found abandoned near a football ground in Salcete and was eaten by ants but luckily survived. Such incidents are growing day by day and those harming these innocent lives are going scot free. There are many institutions in Goa who care for unwanted babies and will be most happy to bring them up under their loving care and giving such children the love they deserve because they too have a right to live and are citizens of our country and the world. One such institution that has helped to save and nurture these innocents is OPM Creche at Nachinola. The child can be safely kept in the little cradle always kept outside the door of the Creche and the identity of the parent is never disclosed thus helping to save the child handing her over into loving hands instead of abandoning them in plastic and cement bags.
Something needs to be done to create awareness to stop these growing incidents of cruelty towards the unborn child.
Allwyn N de Sousa, Padre Almir Seva Kendr, Saligao
Good governance, deteriorating in Goa
The Supreme Court some years ago had very rightly observed that governance would not have faced a chaotic situation had the bureaucracy not allowed itself the "steel frame" of the State to be rusted.
In Goa this steel frame has rusted beyond recognition. We lack a neutral bureaucracy.
What we are seeing is an utterly rusted frame, which has been torn to pieces, broken, mangled, crushed and its very backbone languishing in impotence. The very frequent transfer of government officers for no logical reason or purpose or sometimes for just personal reasons to satisfy the whims of those in power is disruptive and adds to the confusion making it difficult for officials to administer smoothly.
In the interest of Good Governance, this administrative circus must stop immediately. The politicians in power want the entire bureaucracy to mutely tow the government line, while officers who dare to speak out being marginalised. This can be seen from the very way officers are being shuffled all over like a pack of cards. The string of reversal of orders and circulars issued by the government only exposes a total collapse of governance in the state.
Good governance has been lacking for quite some time but sadly it is rapidly deteriorating with a Government which may be in power but which in fact is not in control. The bureaucrats have to be allowed to function in accordance with law and be able to apply their experience and expertise independent of political interference or pressure. They cannot be forced and coerced to act as caged parrots.
Ministers and ruling MLAs have gone to the extent of appropriating the power to assign postings of constables to Police Inspectors and even Dy SPs to SP’s. The malafide intent and manner behind depriving the DGP and IGP of their rightful authority in such routine administrative matters is deplorable. The damage done to the status of the DGP and IGP is incalculable and unacceptable. Today the DGP and IGP lack the power to even transfer or discipline a constable. Every decision by the government has to be well thought out and carefully considered. This will minimize the recurring embarrassing situations that this Government suffers from the erosion of trust that the people have in any decisions this Government takes. The much required advice from experts and feedback from people that matter must be heeded to urgently address the glaring failings of this Government.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Help local village boys
It is summer time. It is also that time of the year when berries are found in abundance in the forests. These berries are sold in the market and by the roadside. Several young village boys collect these berries by going into the forests. They then sell it packed in packets made of leaves. While driving along the road we need to stop and buy these berries sold by these village boys. This will help in contributing to the daily income of their families back home. For some boys it will be a sort of pocket-money to meet their daily expenses.
Poverty has at least not driven these local village boys to begging on the streets or indulging in anti-social activities. They are trying to earn some money honestly by selling berries, flowers and fruits by the roadside. It is absolutely necessary to encourage these local boys to engage in activities like selling berries and flowers or fruits by buying these items from them. Their goods need to be bought even if they are of no use to the buyer. This will be a big boost for the confidence of the young boys to stand on their own feet right from a young age by engaging in selling local produce.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Post vaccine deaths, a cause for concern
Though by and large the advent of vaccination has brought about relief from Corona virus, it is still disturbing that in the UK, of the over 18 million so far vaccinated with the AstraZeneca shot, 30 patients have developed blood clot of which 7 deaths have resulted. In Germany too, of the over 2.7 million jabs of the same vaccine that has been administered, 31 cases of blood clotting have resulted in 9 fatalities.
Though these figures seem small, still they are very significant. Another unfortunate incident that occurred is the mix up of AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines in a manufacturing facility in America. Such goof ups are distressing. However, the bright streak is that the m-RNA Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have lived up to high expectations. Despite these setbacks, all the world leaders, scientists and researchers who directed, developed and implemented the ‘warp speed’ methodology for emergency development of the various vaccines have to be eulogised for making vaccines available is such prompt and speedy manner.
In hindsight, it should be emphasised that pharmaceutical MNCs around the world should leave no stone unturned in order to with due diligence eliminate side effects to the minimum possible. Looking back the MNCs should feel that they gave their best shot possible to save mankind from this horrible pandemic.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
