24 Jun 2017 | 06:41am IST
letters to the editor
Can an animal be worshipped as God when human beings are put to death under the guise of protecting God?
‘Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God’ and if all human beings can believe in this single truth, we can end all the misery and hatred which this world is going thru and which threatens to reach a point of no return and destroy the world.
Cheer leaders of
the Government
A few years ago or even months ago, people in general longed to watch television news, discussions, debates and interviews. News was full of information and analysis on various issues pertaining society at large. There were pro as well as dissent voices from all sections of the society. Audience got what they wanted. Today’s scenario is changed, most of the television channels at least at prime time, have become cheerleaders of the government of the day.
There are so many issues affecting the citizens of this country but media has turned a blind eye to them. For instance, the struggle of the farmers in the country, corruption at Government offices, various scams in different states, abuse of women, child labor, effects of demonetisation, rising unemployment, analysis on Government programmes, policies and schemes, environmental issues and global warming. Unfortunately, the media has been focusing on non-issues. As a result media is slowly but surely losing moral authority.
It is high time that media needs to gain its lost ground. Media needs to be proactive in highlighting issues affecting the common people. Media must not become marionettes of the ruling dispensation. Today the nation is in need of fearless and non-partisan media.
The tiff between Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble leading to the stepping down of Kumble as India’s coach was most unfortunate and could have bad precedence in Indian cricket. It must be said the relationship between a coach and the players is akin to the teacher-student relationship. The coach advises the players and the advice should be followed by the players without questioning the coach. It is understand that Kohli and Kumble were not on speaking terms for more than six months. The relationship was untenable. It is surprising how the Indian captain wanted an upper hand over the coach.
Incidentally Kumble was the most successful coach of the Indian team. Under his guidance India won as many as 12 matches of the 17 matches the country played. Anil Kumble may have been a strict disciplinarian, but then that is what is required to bring the best out of the players. Now with the exit of Anil Kumble a precedent has probably been set which could be for the new coach not to rub the players on the wrong side otherwise he could meet the same fate as Anil Kumble. This is not good for Indian cricket.
The onus is now on captain Virat Kohli to see that the team performs well every time it steps onto the field under the new coach.
Yoga Day was celebrated with much fun fare and publicity on June 21. The PM Narendra Modi led yoga enthusiasts in Lucknow in observing it. However, yoga by itself serves little purpose when the mind is full of arrogance and needs to be cleansed of impurities!
The Sangh Parivar and its political outfit, the BJP are harboring illusions of, 'I know it all'. Promoting yoga for peace of mind and health of body and soul is fine but on the other hand pursuing an aggressive and authoritarian agenda and tolerating mobs of vigilantes running amok on the streets of northern India by turning a blind eye to their criminal behavior including lynching of members of the minority community and beating up Dalits smacks of hypocrisy.
The Sangh Parivar needs to widen it's hitherto narrow outlook and embrace diversity and pluralism, if it has to resonate.
Cops appeal to
pillion riders
With the new government set and new players settled in, the helmet awakening has begun. Why are cops not pro-active with areas like drunk driving and speeding? Are those not areas of interest for cops to advise people? People are dying/injured on speed breakers with helmets on everyday. Where are those statistics?
I would like to see other areas of traffic management addressed and speed breakers removed all over Goa. In place of speed breakers we can have signals and cops doing their duty rather than waiting in the shade at signals or before and after the bridge catching people for helmets!
Much before assembly elections in Goa this year, I had cautioned my daughter that post elections, she should not be surprised if she would be without a job in the coming academic year. She was in the teaching profession at that time. Why this apprehension? I am sure everyone who reads this will know the answer to that.
A lot has been said by our leaders, in government and out of it, about the importance of values and education in our society. As responsible parents, ethics is taught and practiced at home. We instill in our children the value of good education and encourage them to do their very best to excel – and beat the next person at it, in order that they get employed on the strength of their merit.
What do you tell your child then, when he or she having achieved all the credentials required, finds a person with far less credentials snatch away that job? That ethics – what is right or wrong - differs from one person to the other depending on what has been taught and practiced at home? That education does not really matter?
“Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world”, “Be the change you want to see in the world” and “Your vote is the most powerful tool” are what many of our world leaders have echoed.
My answer to my child, is, do not give up on your ethics or your quest for education. Uphold these values. Back-scratching, only leaves you bruised. In the quest for change, be judicious in choosing the face that is most likely to help you see that change in the world - when that all too ‘familiar bell rings at your home every five years’.
