FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Present political scenario in Goa
A plethora of political parties and aspirants are ululating around similar promises, doles and unfair procedures. It is unclear as to which of them is unique. Family Raj has been well accepted. So are those, with criminal charges.
In other words, no party stands out, and the voter appears to be left with no alternative but to vote for the individuals rather than the party. In the end, the outcome will be chaotic and government formation will turn into an auctioning process.
Too many circus-like performers. It appears, we are back to square one, even before the start of the election process. Finally, it is the citizens, who will be at a loss.
Honorato Velho, Benaulim
Vaccination has mixed impact on cases
As vaccinations have reached the level of 1.6 billion doses in India, it has to be stressed that barring the fact that it is winter in most parts of the country, still the number of infections in the country over the last two days, on January20, 21 have been 3.48 lakh and 3/36 lakh respectively which means that one in every 3,900 people in India are being infected as of now. Surprisingly though, the Omicron variant cases is only 10,050 cases at present, increasing at a daily rate of 4-6% only, which means that most of the cases though have been due to the Delta variant.
This fact could also be since tests for the Omicron variant have been conducted to a lesser extent. However, death rate has been down at 408 and 407 respectively on January 20 and 21. This clearly indicates that inoculation has been responsible for the drop in fatalities, but infections have still registered a substantial rise in numbers from the 2 lakh infections mark about a week ago.
Thus administering of jabs has had a mixed effect, unable to limit the present rise in infections. Reason enough to follow SOPs and maximum restraint despite vaccination.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Goa Assembly election
This Goa Assembly election cannot any longer be “Party based” for the voter, if the basis of the nominations of candidates by all the recognised political parties is taken into account. It is no more a “Vote for” Elections. It is a “Vote against” time.
Eliminate first those that you want to reject and choose the best of the remaining. It would be appropriate if the Election Commission ponders over and puts the candidates photographs also alongside the symbol, so that the voter is not confused.
“Celebrate love for Goa. Vote with vengeance.”
Vendetta Remedios, Arpora
Sudden urge to serve the people
Goa has been witnessing a lot of sitting BJP MLAs resigning from the party and trying their luck as independent candidates after they were denied tickets to contest the forthcoming elections. They anoint themselves as 'people's candidate' (whatever that means), justifying their move as a desire to serve the citizens and standing up for values and ethics. Large scale cross party movement of such netas is taking place, all eager to be of benefit to the State and country. The common man fails to fathom as to why they didn't 'serve' the citizens (only rule) when in power and why this newfound love for values, morals and probity in public life the moment they are cancelled out by their own parties.
All such sanctimonious pietism should be treated for what it actually is...pure unadulterated humbug, the janta should not be taken in by this pretence and vote for good candidates, not parties.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Protecting the girl child
The National Girl Child Day is being celebrated in India today, January 24. The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India had initiated this celebration in 2008. Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the first woman of the country on January 24, 1966. Hence this happens to be an important day in the history of the country and empowerment of women.
The Beti Bacchao, Beti Padao scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2015 in order to address the issue of declining child sex ratio as also to provide the girl child proper opportunities in the field of education.
The National Girl Child Day is being observed in order to highlight the inequalities faced by girls in the country as also to create awareness about the rights of a girl child and also to protect them. Poverty and gender-based are the two main challenges that impact the education of the girl child. India has enacted a series of legislations to protect the girl child which include Child Marriage Restraint Act (1929), Immoral Traffic (prevention) Act, 1956, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 among others. What is necessary is proper implementation of these laws.
The day is celebrated in order to organise programmes which include awareness campaign about ‘Save the Girl Child’, child sex ratio and the creation of a healthy and safe environment for girls. There are several issues plaguing the girl child right from infanticide to gender inequality to sexual abuse. All these issues need to be addressed.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
A clarion call on behalf of students
The Maharashtra government decided to open schools and colleges from January 24 with jabs as per education department notifications. Omicron variants have given an ominous beginning for reopening schools and thereby state governments and the schools backed out in reopening schools and the jitters continue to haunt students. But with certain relaxation and the customary jab the children are given yet another chance to attend classes. But how far the children and parents will take it with an open heart and the students attending their regular classes?
All along both students and parents were reluctant to attend schools after Covid-19 scare and now found another variant blocking their entry in going to school.
Children are already reluctant to go to school with Omicron spreading throughout the country. This war against deadly Covid-19 virus remains unconquerable until and unless our kids are protected. We plead to safeguard the younger generation. It is our duty towards Mother India to provide safety to her youngest generation.
It is time to protect children and thereby protect the nation as the children are the future of this country. It is better to continue with online options for some more time to avoid the spread of viruses.
CK Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
‘Transporter Goa’ on Feb 14
The Herald edit ‘Find solutions to taxi hiring issue’ (Herald, January20) revealed that vehicles from Maharashtra will be hired to transport Election Commission employees, which was rightly opposed by local taxi drivers' associations. Even if the tender process was legit (and history has taught us that it most probably was not), the loss of income to Goan breadwinners will be merely the beginning of consequences following this oversight.
Maharashtrian drivers are unfamiliar with Goan roads and if pressed by high handed EC officials, rash driving will put innocent lives at risk. Last elections, I saw a vehicle with an On Election Duty sign race past like it was part of a Transporter movie scene; we recently witnessed terrible casualties because of drivers who thought they had exceptional skills. Goans are hopeful of making a new start and even though we may end up with forty lemons again, we all deserve the chance to live through this Valentine's Day.
Chris Fernandes, Miramar
