FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Why risk lives of students?
The decision taken by the government to conduct SSC and HSSC exams amidst the pandemic is extremely frightful. The fact that the Chief Minister wrote in his most recent tweet that the exams will take place, even after the numerous petitions signed by students and the letter by the People's Forum urging him to cancel them because it puts the lives of thousands of students at risk, put me in a state of shock.
Infact it is not just the students but also the teachers, other staff, the parents of students who will have to risk their lives, unwillingly. There surely are more negatives to this decision than positives especially now that there are cases coming up in the State.
Firstly, keeping masks on for nearly 2 hours is precarious and can cause students to feel suffocated, not forgetting the summer heat that would add up to the dangers. Secondly, maintaining social distancing at exam centres is questionable as students are likely to forget all the norms because of the restlessness they would be feeling. Thirdly, if any of the parents accompanying students or even students for that matter, come in contact with a potential carrier, there would be unimaginable danger not only to the family of the person but the community at large.
I urge the Chief Minister to think over his decision on conducting the exams, considering the fact that such a phenomenon can pose a major threat to the state and if not dealt with extreme care, can take lives of innumerable people.
Stesha Pereira, Navelim
Save our children
We have read many letters, articles and even editorials including by our own newspaper Herald against the foolhardy decision by the Education Minister and Education Department to hold the SSC exams during a pandemic which also coincides with the peak summer heat.
The most direct and well explained article is by Jose Maria Miranda in the Herald ‘Peoples Edit’ dated May 12 in which he has explained why the authorities will be held responsible for the tragic consequences which will follow because of their foolishness in holding the exams in a hurried manner without any breaks and with masks on in the peak of the summer even after promising to announce the exams after the end of the lockdown.
I am writing this letter on the eve of the hearing of the petition filed by Cedric Vaz and Kenneth Vaz and I am confident that the innocent students will be given justice by the High Court.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Right to voice the truth
There is silencing of the voice of truth of activists by making their arrests. Walter Lobo and one more person have been arrested. There may be more too. Is this the system of draconian laws that we wanted?
We boast of ourselves as the greatest democracy in the world and we on the other hand kill democratic voices in our land by arresting those who are expressing their rights to voice their conscience freely in a democratic manner.
Jayprakash Narayan in 1975 gave a call to the security personnel not to obey the autocratic instruction of Indira Gandhi and yet he is still considered a great patriot of India after Gandhiji. JP did to stop the unnecessary arrest of the democrats in India who were facing lot of problems from Indira Gandhi while they were expressing their views. Is something like that going to happen again in 2020?
Where are the freedom fighters gone now? How can they be the silent spectators to the suppression of the voices of activists in Goa? Then where are the non-ruling parties gone? Why are they keeping their silence?
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Reducing stress of COVID warriors
In Goa eight people including a seafarer and a family of five have tested positive for COVID-19. This could be just the beginning of a long-drawn battle against the invisible enemy. In the days to come large number of people will be entering the state. These include Goans settled in other states including students, seafarers, migrants, NRIs, etc. not to mention those who will be coming to Goa in order to avoid living in the ‘Red Zone’ in their respective states. This will put a tremendous pressure on the logistics, infrastructure and human resources in the state.
The coronavirus is going to be around for a long time to come. Spare a thought for the COVID warriors who have been working 24X7 to keep away the virus. However besides their best efforts, Goa could be entering the ‘community transmission stage’ which is a frightful prospect. The COVID warriors who include the doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, police and other workers could feel stressed out. Many have been working continuously for several days.
The government could think of recruiting doctors, nurses, staff of testing laboratories, on contract basis, to tide over the situation. The police force could take the assistance of the Home Guards in carrying out their duties. In this manner work will be divided, which will reduce the stress on the COVID warriors.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
State recovery
The CM did well in informing that the State of Goa has financial problems.
However, it would not be right of him to tax our basic rights of water, food, communication. It is unfortunate that earlier governments based our economy on unhealthy activities like mining, tourism, alcohol and gambling.
While it may take a few months, it would be better if we hunker down and resort to traditional activity. The good results will soon show in plenty.
Carmo Costa – Viegas, Assolna
