WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Lackadaisical attitude to control Covid-19
The recent influx of domestic tourists in the capital city due the State Government permitting the functioning of floating casinos all day and night long and the recently held four-day Carnival festival celebrations till late night beginning with the parade on the traditional main city route without adopting any 3 golden rules of wearing masks, safe distance and hand sanitising to contain the pandemic spread is an alarming situation.
This negligence in taking necessary precautions for the welfare of the society at large is a cause of serious concern to the safety of the permanent city residents as well as to the rest of Goa. The Government had issued directions to the State Election Commission to postpone the elections to the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) and the various 11 Municipal Councils for 3 months due to the pandemic. However, the exercise to delay the elections to local self bodies seems to be a lame excuse as the ruling party was not confident to gain control of these bodies. It also seems procrastination of the elections was a political step taken to grant a longer time for their party members in power to have an edge over others for their pecuniary gains. The North Goa District Collector and the CCP Commissioner along with Urban Health Centre officials as the concerned authorities ought to have taken necessary measures to control the pandemic including an aggressive vaccination schedule, but sadly have been busy with carnival festivities showing a complete lackadaisical attitude in controlling the corona virus spread.
Although there is a decline in Covid-19 cases in Goa, yet sudden rise in such cases with a new strain in neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka, who form the largest segments of tourists visiting Panjim and other famous beach areas calls for enforcing stricter measures such as imposing fines for not wearing masks and early closing of bars and pubs including casinos.
Rui Ferreira, Panjim
Exempt 70 plus from IT
The budget outlay for the well-being of citizens is a shot in the arm for the health care sector, but income tax relief in this financial year budget for those above 75 is going to be of little use.
India's population stands at approximately 136 crores. Of this, a minuscule population must be above 75. We should remember that the average life expectancy in our country is around 68 years. It would have been better if the finance minister had totally exempted above 70 years from income tax.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Take tough measures to confront COVID-19
It is a great tragic milestone that in America, the death toll has mounted to 500,000 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a figure that exceeds fatalities in the World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War put together. In view of this immense loss of life in the world's richest and most advanced country, it would be the endeavour of all individuals to make sustained efforts to reduce the occurrence of infections by inculcating maximum restraint and following SOPs so as to keep Covid-19 at bay.
Vaccination drives have started with a great deal of success, but since the longevity of immunity imparted by vaccines is mostly unknown, still strict adherence to social distancing, wearing of face masks and use of sanitisers have to continue to reinforce the protection afforded by vaccines. Strenuous physical exertion should be practised as also cleanliness of the environment, anti-pollution measures and intake of immunity-boosting nutrition rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids as also food supplements which bolster the immunity have to be continued. Do not relax your guard as far as taking all precautionary measures to avoid infection is concerned.
Remember, that prevention is better than cure and that you have to learn from others' bad experiences. Better to be safe than sorry.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Committed cop, SP Sammy Tavares
Let's ask, am I committed? As the word commitment itself means to commit oneself for a particular cause, promise, act, love or adventure. Am I committed person towards social causes needed in bureaucracy to bring social justice, good governance, upliftment of deprived sections of public, society and the poor. Also, do I posses integrity? Means, maintaining one's own honest and impartial behaviour. It also means being whole or complete in terms of ethical morals, values – aesthetic and spiritual and principles.
It is opposite of hypocrisy in which a person says something and does something else opposite to what they preach. So, integrity means doing what you say, that is maintaining promise or commitment, right!
Just imagine, the primary duties of the superintendent of Police are to keep the force under his control properly trained, efficient and contented; also to ensure, by constant supervision, that the prevention, investigation and detection of crime are properly and efficiently dealt with knowing all officers and men serving under him are enforcing highest discipline at all time.
And in SP Sammy's case as an in-charge of Konkan Railway, the SP works closely with the General Manager of KR, it seems quite easy on paper, I bet, it is not.
Now flashback and look at the four murder mysteries solved in Canacona over the years. How can the same law enforcement cop be involved in all these cases, it may sound weird, but true, as only one word will describe that is 'dedication'.
SP Sammy Tavares being one of the Tiatr Fraternity' one wonders? How can one direct a stage hit block busters, while keeping his ear to ground being 24/7 on call duty? And now SP Sammy is the talk of the town to change direction from KR duty to rush to a deadly crime scene in broad day light, where a gunshot was heard and to see a chopper flying in the air, his quick attention and decision to divert the track has not only saved the history-sheeter “Tiger's” life, but will help Goa police big time to tighten the screws of local gangs that give our lovely tourist State Goa a poor image.
'Valor tuka' SP Sammy Tavaresbab, you are not only making us Goan proud of you shining on the stage, but also on the ground providing the much need security and protection - Dev Borem Korum.
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Probe missing case from kidnapping angle
Four minor Bihari children from Bicholim, who were missing from their residence since Monday, were reportedly found at Mapusa. It is understood that the four minors who included two boys and two girls were accompanied by a major Bihari youth who lured and took them to the Tillari canal. Fortunately the children were found in time and were handed over to their parents.
However, the police need to investigate the incident from the kidnapping angle. It is learnt that the Bihari youth is absconding. Obviously there is much more to the incident than that meets the eye. The Bihari youth could be a member of a gang involved in kidnapping of children in the State.
The police have filed an offence against the youth and the matter needs to be thoroughly investigated. The arrest of the youth could lead the police to a wider conspiracy of kidnapping of children in Goa by a gang of child kidnappers from another State.
Adelmo Fernandes,
Vasco
