THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
GU is a dormant institution
It is a sad reality that the people of Goa are totally unconcerned or bothered about the wayward ways and directions higher education is fanning out in the State of Goa.
Goa University has in its executive council, who contribute nothing towards development, growth of the society but evolve themselves in mundane degree holding machine. Most degree holders show no responsibility towards the society. Today Goa is adversely affected by the growth of crimes, suicides and the University is oblivious of it.
I write this in particular, because I have guided PhD students of other Universities of our country and empowered the society with qualified and empowered students with research work relevant to our society. Today Goa produces good investigative journalists, with studied research findings which could find itself in peer reviewed journals of social relevance.
Fortunately, I was able to guide research of Goan officials in government service in the State and make it socially relevant to the Goans at large. However, Goa University is a dormant institution, not working in the interest of Goan tax payers. Goans need to wake up and ensure Goa University too works on projects relevant to Goans.
Joe D’Souza, Panjim
Time for students to find their voice
The dynamics of student responsibility encompasses their concern and involvement in issues dealing with economic, environmental, political and social change on and off the campus.
Having been closely associated with the very vibrant student movements that Goa witnessed in the 70’s and 80’s, it is extremely anguishing and so disheartening that the student activism today is virtually non-existent in our State. In our days students were known for having strong opinions and expressing them fearlessly. We demonstrated to the government that student power was a force to reckon with. The authorities never dared bully us.
Maybe, it is now time that the students in Goa find their voice once again. Unlike in our student days, the social media today is a very handy tool to expand the scope and strength of the positive role that students can play. We also did not then have the Right to Information Act which the students today can invoke for the betterment of society. Students need to be the caring voice of the poor, deprived and under privileged. Through a well organized network students must be a signal for democracy to thrive and justice to prevail.
With Goa currently in dire straits soaked in rampant corruption and bad Governance, the voice of the students could peacefully and democratically cause a political, environmental, economic and much needed social change that Goa so desperately requires.
We need to invest in our students and encourage them to develop leadership skills. The power, diversity, and potential of our students could energize into a vibrant engine to tow Goa out of the woods.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Rape cases on the rise in Goa
It was shocking to note that two minor girls were gang raped at Benaulim. It is understood that the gang rape case has been handed over to the women police station by the Colva police for further investigation along with the accused. This is a welcome step as it is a sensitive case wherein two minor girls were gang raped by the four accused.
In the recent past, Goa has been witnessing several incidents of rape. Ponda police on Wednesday arrested two truck drivers who allegedly raped a 19-year-old girl in a moving car at Usgao, Ponda. The police needs to investigate the rape cases thoroughly and take the cases to its logical conclusion so that the rape victim gets justice and the accused are punished.
It may be recalled that a gang rape of a 20-year-old had taken place at Sunset Beach at Betalbatim in 2018. Even though the three alleged accused have been chargesheeted in the case they need to be sentenced for the crime they committed. All rape cases need to be fast-tracked so that the rape survivor gets justice at the earliest and the accused are punished as per the provision of the law. This will go a long way in preventing rapes taking place in Goa.
Solving the rape cases in quick time and punishing the accused will serve as a deterrence to incidents of rapes as it will serve as a warning to would-be rapists.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Pragmatic step
Assam and Mizoram agreeing to deploy neutral central forces at their disputed border is a pragmatic step. The agreement came during a meeting of chief secretaries and DGPs of the states with Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla in New Delhi. Representatives of both States agreed to continue mutual discussions to resolve the boundary dispute amicably. The States also agreed to maintain the status quo and not allow the assembly of people on disputed terrain. Seven Assam policemen perished in the July 26 border clashes between the two states. But Mizoram complained that Assam has resorted to economic blockade and destruction of railway lines affecting flow of essential commodities and movement of people.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
SC verdict on Kerala Assembly ruckus
The Kerala state assembly had witnessed unprecedented scenes in March 2015 as LDF members, then in opposition, tried to prevent then finance minister K M Mani, who was facing allegations in the bar bribery scam, from presenting the state budget. The ruckus in Kerala assembly and damaging assembly property is nothing new to LDF leaders in Kerala. After the lapse of 5 years, Apex court decision against culprits to face the prosecution is a hard slap on the Kerala Communist government. The SC rightly said right to free speech, privileges and immunity accorded to MLA's and MP's does not mean they will enjoy immunity from criminal acts within the House. This is the landmark judgment of the Apex court serve as a deterrent for MLA's and MP's.
Legislatures should behave in a civilised manner while showing their dissent. Unruly behaviour should not go unpunished. Such logical judgment will always be welcomed by the public. And the way that opposition is disrupting in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha also needs to be curbed. Parliament and Assembly's are meant for debates and not for setting political agenda.
K.G.Vilop, Chorao
Grow old gracefully
Age is just a number when your plans are very well devised. Aging is inevitable, but to grow old gracefully is a choice. While we know that getting old is unavoidable, how we perceive this natural process depends greatly upon our social and cultural influences. Aging gracefully is about more than looks.
It is about accepting the inevitability of getting older, taking care of your mind and body, and being your best self at any age. After all life begins after 60 with all additional responsibilities and at a time when you will have to take care of your own health at this crucial time of life and take care of your spouse. That means the seniors have understood the concepts and techniques of active aging and about healthy living, which is possible only through positive thinking. Such seniors are role models to the younger generation.
There lies the real success of life and letting others live in a serene atmosphere as seniors and not become a burden to the family as well as to the society.
M.R. Jayanthy, East Mumbai
