24 Sep 2022  |   06:33am IST

Letters to the editor ( 24 Sept 2022)

Kudos to DEd 

degree holder

The ex-student P Redko, who sacrificed his valuable time for the sake of the primary students of Government Primary school at Valkini Sanguem, teaching them free of cost in the absence of a qualified teacher, deserves appreciation for his noble gesture.

Such a noble gesture is commendable and needs to be recognised.

It will be appreciated, if at some point of time the Education Department authorities honour this young energetic gentleman.

Aureo Cunha Gomes, Corlim


Development of 

Vasco gardens

It is understood that both the municipal gardens in the port town of Vasco will be developed by a business house under the CSR initiative. The gardens are centrally located on both the sides of the Swatantra Path and were in dire need of renovation. These gardens are very old and were established in 1939. They could not be properly maintained by the civic body ostensibly because of resource crunch.

The gardens had become sites for anti-social activities. Both the gardens are the only open spaces in the city for leisure and relaxation of the adults and a playing area for the children. The fountain in one of the gardens could be converted into a musical fountain which would be an added attraction.

In the past music was played through the speakers at the children’s garden every day after five in the evening. This tradition needs to be restarted. Regular entertainment programmes need to be held in the children’s garden as was held in the bygone years.

Maintenance forms an important part of any garden, a task which needs to be carried out by professional gardeners. Both the gardens could also be named after two prominent personalities of the port town who have contributed extensively to the development of the city. Alternatively the gardens could be named after prominent botanists or horticulturists of repute.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco


Measures to protect police force

Yet another recent suicide by a Goa Police constable is disturbing. It is no secret that the police force, especially the constabulary, is working in very stressful and unacceptable conditions; very long hours of work with no proper rest.

These unacceptable working conditions is an issue that has arisen on various occasions before the Goa Human Rights Commission which has repeatedly held that the police are human beings and should be so treated. Despite these directions no concrete measures have been taken to rectify the anomalous situation.

Despite the Supreme Court having ruled that working of the Police should be totally insulated from Political interference it is public knowledge that the political masters are in fact directly involved in the selection, promotion, and transfers of the police, even the constabulary.  If true, it is obnoxious that politicians have to be paid huge amounts even for police seeking transfers. People expect the executive and enforcement branches of the law to adhere to the rule of law and to show zero tolerance to corruption. 

There is a need for an in-house robust mechanism to be in place so that the grievances of the police can be humanely heard and resolved so that more of their lives are not lost. A healthy, content and well-trained police force can go a long way in maintaining the much-needed law and order which has currently gone for a super toss. These dedicated public servants who are sworn to always protect public safety at any place, need and deserve all the help that they can get.

Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar


Non-performing employees

It is indeed good news to hear of Governmental efforts to reign in non-performing employees. Just as are suffering from the ill effects of NPAs (Non-Performing Assets), so also Governments suffer from NPEs. If jobs are sold out as often claimed, it would adversely affect the quality of employees selected.

The State Government has begun with the Secretariat by issuing notices to errant staff. It may be noted also that the Secretariat had conducted recruitment drive to various posts prior to the elections in Goa. Written examinations for the same were held and results declared on their website. However, the lists of candidates selected for the posts are yet to be published on their website even after six to nine months. 

Vinay Rodrigues, Margao


Fire safety norms 

in workplaces

One of the biggest challenges that India has been facing for a long time when it comes to safety and well-being of its people, is the appalling fire safety standards prevalent in workplaces, public buildings and homes. The fire tragedy that occurred in a hotel in Telangana very recently and the fire that broke out in a commercial building near the Mundka metro station in outer Delhi in May this year, are stark reminders of how fire safety norms are flouted by building owners with impunity. Buildings must be planned, designed and constructed to ensure that fire safety measures are in place in strict accordance with National Building Code of India’s guidelines which regulate the building construction activities across the country.

Even though NBC makes these measures mandatory, the majority of multi-storey buildings continue to ignore and violate the safety norms, and often play with human lives. In fact, many buildings lack even basic fire safety systems, like fire extinguishers. Also, there is no statutory provision for regular verification of adherence to fire safety norms in multi-story buildings.

To reduce fire accidents, First Safety Audit should be made mandatory across the country, and it must be entrusted to third-party agencies, who have the expertise in it.

A comprehensive fire safety audit can address the inherent fire hazards associated with the day-to-day activities in an occupancy and recommend measures to reduce the potential fire accidents.

Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai


The joys of having 

a daughter

National Daughters' Day is celebrated on September 25 and it is a day to celebrate and cherish our daughters who bring in so much of love into our lives. Although we don’t really need a reason to celebrate our children, it’s nice to be given the opportunity to pay our daughters some extra attention and show them how much they are loved.

Daughters are often deemed as 'Lakshmi'. The day signifies the importance of females in society and how girls are no less than boys in any spheres of life.

Daughters bring a certain kind of joy into our world. Like all children, they have their own personalities and strengths.

The joy of raising a daughter into a fully-grown woman means a lot to parents, thereby showing that a girl child needs special treatment as the flower of the house. 

Daughters' Day is celebrated to honour our daughters and to appreciate all that they do for the family. It is a special day set out to celebrate girls for being equal opportunity human beings.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar