SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
No data available on vaccine
It is learnt that there is an acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses in Mumbai. This has led to seventy-five of the 120 vaccination centres across Mumbai suspend the vaccination drive and the remaining centres are likely to suspend the drive soon as the available stock is fast depleting.
The vaccine stock in Rajasthan is reportedly to finish in two days. The Goa government has reiterated that there is no shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the State and that it will continue to hold special vaccination camps in villages. This is good news for Goans. Wherever in the country there is a shortage of vaccine there is possibility of the benefactor being given the second dose of whichever vaccine is available in the stock. It is pertinent to note that the UN health agency has recommended that the same product of the vaccine should be used for both the doses as interchangeability of vaccine is not advisable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated that there was ‘no adequate data’ on switching COVID-19 vaccines and has called for studies on so called mixing and matching between vaccines. India already has two approved COVID-19 vaccines, ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ that are currently being administered to eligible citizens. Since there is no adequate data available on switching of vaccines, it would be desirable for each benefactor to receive the same brand of vaccine as the first and second dose.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Carelessness led to Covid surge
The sudden rise in Coronavirus cases in the country is due to the carelessness shown by the people. The surge tells us that the virus is still here and that we have to be extra careful about it.
We should ensure that we wear masks and follow social distancing whenever we step out of the house. It doesn’t matter whether the authorities are strict about it or not, but we have to be extra careful all the time.
Prevention is always better than cure and our lives are more precious than silver and gold.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai
Use mobile polling booths
The Election Commission of India can look into arranging for 'Mobile Polling Booths' for the exclusive use of specially challenged voters. As in the past, under the ambit of ECI's electoral reforms, 'Pink Booths' was successfully introduced to mobilize voter turnout especially for women in rural areas. ECI can further take a plunge into electoral reforms aimed at physically challenged voters and thus introduce such mobile polling booths across all the major locations especially in rural areas, where accessibility to polling booths still remains elusive for such voters with special needs.
Introducing 'Mobile Polling Booths' for physically challenged voters will go in a long way to being effective electoral reforms. ECI will further be able to achieve a complete and inclusive voter turn-out during polls with the much-needed availability of mobile polling booths. Also in an age of technological revolution, introducing the system of e-voting or mobile voting facility exclusively for the benefit of physically challenged voters may help to achieve better electoral reforms.
The facility of online voting will help ECI to achieve yet another milestone aimed at promoting an inclusive democratic exercise.
Varun Dambal, Bangalore
Night curfew in Bengaluru
Considering the galloping COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka government has done well to impose night curfew in seven urban districts across the State, including Bengaluru. The night curfew will not affect inter-district movement and supply of essential commodities. A vaccination drive would also be taken up between April 11, the birthday of activist Jyotirao Phule, and April 14, the birthday of BR Ambedkar, as suggested by Modi.
Karnataka recorded 6,570 cases on Thursday with 36 deaths.
NJ Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Municipal elections and garbage
Recently hordes of people are descending on us due to the upcoming municipal elections, that too, these election enthusiasts have to be reminded about wearing masks. This canvassing phenomena is repeated once in five years, after that, they are nowhere to be seen. Just before the elections, our wards are cleaned, shrubs and bushes are cut here and there.
Referring to our various wards in Fatorda, some years ago, gutters were dug all along the streets which did not do us any good. The gutters have been left open and plastics of all kinds find their way into them. These gutters are not properly planned and they get choked during the rains. This haphazard system causes flooding.
Sometime ago the road widening was taken up and at that time age old huge trees were knocked down causing us much annoyance. Before that, it was a pleasure to walk down the roads, and after that our place became a desert. We were told that new trees would be planted instead a lone tree which was giving some kind of shade near the newly constructed fish market was cut down overnight.
In certain parts of Fatorda for example bang opposite the stadium, on the Ponda highway the gutters are choked and foul smelling so much so that you cannot breathe because of the gases emanating from there. Similarly near Sharda hotel there are nullahs on either side of the road precisely near Joaquim Vaz Apartments, which are choked with all kinds of waste, something there, may be the sewage, smells so foul, that I had to use an inhaler after crossing it.
The citizens, in spite of the fact that the garbage is collected door to door, put their wet and dry garbage into plastic bags and just fling them mostly out of the dustbin which becomes a prey for stray dogs. This has to be checked by some kind of mechanism.
Francisca Mesquita, Fatorda
Remembering Shantaram Naik
Birthday is the most spectacular day of one’s life and they deserve a celebration. The family and friends of Shatarambab were unfortunate to celebrate this memorable day as he was called to be measured and judged before his creator.
I pray to almighty Lord to surround him with everlasting peace and happiness. Shantarambab was an endearing personality with an enduring vision whom I like, admire and respect very much.
Goa and India stands proud of her son, Shantarambab whose vision inspires generations and especially the youth living a life of simplicity a service, he won the hearts of people of Goa and to describe his career in full would require volumes. A tall leader of integrity and courage for whom the true values of secularism mattered much.
A man created history being a Cuncolekar from South Goa contested for Lok Sabha on Congress ticket and won with comfortable margin from North Goa Parliamentary Constituency. Naik was again elected as member of Rajya Sabha for two Constituency terms.
In the Parliament he was popularly known as the Hero of Zero Hour, which gave glories to Goa by introducing the bill to grant statehood to Goa during the zero hour. Naik was also the GPCC President for several years in Goa. The vacuum that was created after his death still could not be filled.
I was fortunate to be closely associated with Shantarambab. A true, loving and a concerned friend, also my mentor. I wish him a very Happy Birthday.
E Altinho Gomes, Cuncolim
