Attack on scribes
unacceptable
The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) and Photo-Journalists’ Association Goa (PJAG) on Sunday reportedly condemned the assault and manhandling of the photo-journalist of a Goan daily by on-duty police personnel. The incident occurred when police personnel were trying to disperse protestors gathered near the Colva road junction in Margao.
It is learnt that two police personnel asked another photo-journalist to delete the footage of the lathi-charge. The GUJ has reportedly demanded the immediate suspension of the policemen concerned and for a thorough investigation in the matter. This brutal attack by the police is highly condemnable as it is a direct attack on the freedom of the press and the fundamental right to report. The press derives this right from the right to freedom of speech and expression in Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India, 1950. It is said that freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forego. “Freedom of the press is not just important, it is imperative for a functioning democracy.”- John F. Kennedy.
Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and media personnel often face challenges in performing their duties. Hence, the government should create a conducive environment for the press and the journalists to perform their duties. Be that as it may, it would be in the fitness of things to provide journalists with a vest, while covering protests and riots, so that they can be easily identified in the crowd.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Unsafe buildings need
to be demolished
The Government should survey and identify unsafe and dangerous buildings in Goa and initiate demolition of such dilapidated structures to prevent any mishap especially during monsoon season.
The field staff should initiate the yearly survey of buildings or houses in their areas. Some of the unsafe buildings are in the heart of the city and some are unoccupied but still pose a danger to people. Old buildings may have structural problems or don’t meet modern building codes, making them unsafe or impractical to maintain and renovate.
Some tenants refuse to vacate the property, which poses hurdles for repair or demolition of the premises. Old buildings are now becoming a source of concern to many people due to the safety reasons.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Impact of AI
on health care
Technology is changing, so is health care administered in India. The pandemic acted as a catalyst in the adoption of new ways to improve global health.
When Covid -19 hit us very badly, it was obvious to have video consultations remote monitoring as physical examination of patients was not feasible.
In hospitals, beds were restricted to people who required surgeries and there was a huge impact on radiology and medical imaging which has taken a new turn due to technology.
Monitoring devices has reduced deaths significantly. Today we have to look at technology as our partner. Use of technology and Artificial Intelligence is making waves and is poised to transform medical sciences and there is a lot of automation in the hospital industry and doctors
are adopting to newer technologies, the hub - and - spoke -distribution model using AI for
cerebral stroke.
In laboratories, we have middleware systems that can boost laboratory performance, we can get results verified instantly.
Diomedes Romano Pereira, Corlim
Treat elderly with
love and care
The United Nations International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st October every year, and the theme for this year is “Ageing with Dignity.” The day serves as a reminder of the global commitment to promoting the well-being and dignity of older individuals and fostering societies that recognize their valuable contributions.
It is a day to celebrate the wisdom, experience, and resilience of older persons and to reaffirm the principles of aging with dignity and respect for all. Across the world, elderly persons are largely dependent on their family members, but sadly find themselves at the receiving end in the sunset years of their life.
In the good olden days, elders in families were respected a lot due to their wisdom and wealth of life experience. With changing times, sadly they are seen as millstones and neglected by their own family members.
We need to reform our approach towards elders by bringing care closer to where they live, and where it costs less to deliver and does more good.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Thrilling feat by
Indian Air Force
There is no second opinion that the Indian Airforce commandos mesmerized Chennai with their stunning display in the air show in the Marina. The aerial display of the commandos with their hair- raising maneuvers with the fighter aircrafts including the somersaults made by them in the air with absolute precision created history.
The attendance of around 15 lakhs of people who thronged the Marina to witness a show of their life time is said to be a Limca record.
While everything went well, it is unfortunate that five among the large crowd succumbed to dehydration and a few more have swooned due to sun stroke and were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Though the government cannot be solely blamed for these mishaps, yet arrangements could have been made to make at least water bottles available in plenty to the crowd free or even at a cost. However, people who are well aware that they will have to be under the hot sun for over two hours to witness the air show, should have come prepared with sufficient water bottles, soft drinks and even small snacks when they were with their families.
The policemen are also human beings and they are also vulnerable to the effects of the hot sun. They definitely did their best under the circumstances. It is also meaningless to politicise the death of the five, as done by the opposition leader E Palaniswami. However, a little more care taken by the government / Corporation of Chennai could have earned the ruling dispensation 100% appreciation for conducting such a fantastic airshow in our Chennai City.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai