Letters to the editor

Painting of 

speed-breakers

It is encouraging to note that well-meaning and socially conscious citizens are coming forward to carry out the task where the authorities concerned have failed miserably. One such campaign that has attracted the attention of Goans, is the #Rosto campaign led by Cecille Rodrigues. This campaign started by three citizens is all about going on a speed-breaker painting spree and they have reportedly recently completed painting their 100th speed-breaker. This is no mean achievement and these citizens deserve all the accolades that come their way. It is understood that in the first for the State, some police personnel from the Calangute police station also helped the group in completing the task of painting the 100th speed-breaker.

It must be said that speed-breakers, which are installed to prevent road-accidents by forcing vehicular drivers to reduce the speed, can be the cause of an accident if they are not painted. Hence the initiative taken by the group of citizens is all the more significant. It is understood that the task carried out by the #Rosto team was reportedly appreciated by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Twitter calling them “Road Safety Heroes”. This action by the group of citizens must be considered as a wake-up call for the authorities to carry out the task of painting the speed-breakers in the entire state.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Safety, a casualty

The recent Boisar chemical factory tragedy in Palghar district of Maharashtra is another in a list of similar ones in the not too distant past. The gory incident shows how safety norms are thrown out of the window when it comes to saving poor lives. Safety measures in a work in progress seemed so brittle that almost ten lives were lost. Workers may have been busy testing the "efficacy" of a drug in the medical gas production unit due to employers' pressure. Power tripping as a result of an aluminium sheet falling on a transformer is said to be the cause for the explosion in the twenty-year-old factory. 

In pressure situations involving inflammable gases it is doubtful whether permission from the relevant safety clearing authorities was taken by the "under construction" company. The company was reportedly "refurbished" after a gap. Were the safety rules flouted? Inexperienced workers, and inefficient higher supervision, could have contributed to the unfortunate incident. But procedures in producing gases are rarely adhered to, and law implementation has been very poor, in most chemical plants. During fire tragedies, workers get trapped inside unable to communicate with people outside. 

For politicians, disaster like the one in Palghar is routine, and one of those things. One begs to know the conviction rates in cases of negligence and apathy. Who will save India's hard -- working industrial employees?

Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

Nirbhaya rapists plea reasonable?

I beg to differ and can expect a reasonable amount of flak for this. The President and the Supreme Court should accept their petitions and commute the death sentences to life imprisonment without parole. The act they committed was absolutely evil. But you do not counter evil with another evil. Taking a life in times of peace is an evil act. It cannot act as a deterrent. It serves no real purpose. The death penalty for such a case cannot be justified in a civilised society. What I see in comments is revenge and vengeance.

In times of peace; no one has the right to take another life. In this case it does not even do justice. A death penalty does not do justice. The poor lady lost her life and it’s very unfortunate that her parents and family will bear this sadness and loss for the rest of their lives. But no punishment however, harsh can do her any justice. The crime committed cannot be condoned; but we need to realise that all human life is sacred and has the infinite capacity to be reformed.

The potential hangman Pawan Jallad said that the Rs 1 lakh he would receive for the hangings would pay for his debts and daughter's wedding expenses. I will be happy to offer him that amount or more as a gift  and he can celebrate the family occasion.

Neil Rangel, Santo Estevam 

Safety begins with me

As a citizen first of all I want to say congratulations to Bai Cecille Lee Rodrigues and the Rosto Campaign Team for painting 100 speed breakers in Goa State within a month. This is the work of the present government who is ruling not only in Goa State but at the Centre too but sad to see that the PWD Minister who has to do that job is not doing anything. “We can say, is this PWD Minister good for nothing and only gives false promises. Thank you so much Cecille for saving precious lives and vehicles. 

Keep up your good work and God bless you. As the safety week is going on I would request our Goa State govt, CM and the head of traffic police cell to award her for the safety of the public and of the tourists who come to our State for holidays.

Ronnie D'Souza, Chandor

Wholesale wine shops

This is to bring to the kind attention of the Excise Department that some of the bars, particularly in Margao, Khareband area, are illegally open early morning starting from 5:00 am and close only after 2:00am, which raises doubt that some of the Excise Dept officers are being bribed.

Also, customers are seen sitting on the floor & drinking around at wholesale sale wine shops, as there is no proper timing followed and there is no control & punitive action taken by the Excise Dept.

Rules should always be fair, justified and followed. Sadly, the above mentioned illegality has resulted in bar owners losing customers & incurring losses. I hope our honorable CM will intervene to resolve this matter as early as possible.

Alexandrina Soares, Margao