Ban junk cars at
Carnival parade
It is learnt that the traffic police in Goa has started a drive against vehicles using modified silencers. Several vehicles, including bikes and cars having modified silencers which make a loud noise have been seized. Bikes with loud silencers can have several negative effects including, noise pollution which causes hearing damage, stress, and sleep disruption for people nearby. It precipitates potential health issues for sensitive individuals like heart patients. It increases the risk of accidents due to startled pedestrians or drivers and has a negative impact on the rider's own hearing. It has potential legal repercussions due to exceeding noise regulations, and in some cases, even reduced fuel efficiency for the motorcycle itself.
The Goa Carnival celebrations are a couple of days away. Ironically the Carnival float parade features a ‘junk cars’ category where modified cars participate in the parade. The vehicles participating in this category make an ear-splitting noise which can be harmful for little children and elderly persons. The riders of bikes with modified silencers speed up and apply brakes suddenly as they ride through the float parade. This can lead to accidents. It is pertinent to note that last year the Vasco Carnival Committee decided not to allow noisy and speeding vehicles to participate in the port town float parade even in the junk cars category. When police are cracking down on vehicles with modified silencers that make a loud noise it makes very little sense to have a junk cars rally at the Carnival float parade.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
When will
Goa learn?
Many aspects of life in Europe are impressive. Being courteous, caring and compassionate is a way of life and the only positive way to move ahead.
Remarkably, there is not an iota of that VIP culture whatsoever. Traffic is never diverted or traffic lights switched off to make way for a VIP to despotically cruise through, while inconveniencing the public. The political class is always accountable, and they tumble at the slightest
fumble.
The absence of the malaise of political sycophancy is a boon towards a fair and dignified society. The all-round very high levels of transparency and accountability make the difference.
One may never need to exercise the Right to Information, as those checks and balances of public scrutiny are inborn and always in place. A truly independent Press that values freedom of speech also holds those with responsibility accountable in the public interest.
The administration and the law enforcement authorities are totally insulated from any political meddling. And of course that institutionalised corruption is not a way of life.
Public transport is so very dependable, clean, safe and extremely user friendly. And that very essential availability of Wi-Fi on trains, buses and even in almost every café, besides public places is a communication bonanza. Water, power supply and other basic amenities never falter. The resolute online services towards the digital world are commendable. There are systems in place that work and can’t be fiddled with.
Daylight favouritism and nepotism is never seen, so also there is never room to jump the queue.
One can see high levels of quality control and accountability in all private and public works executed. In Goa that mind boggling Panjim Smart City man-made fiasco at huge expense to the taxpayers and still with no accountability is something unknown in Europe.
Sanity and respect for rules, regulations and service levels in public life is what makes the world of difference for the common good.
Aires Rodrigues, London
Disconnection
of cables
It pains me to hear the abrupt action taken as per the recommendations of the executive engineer in the Electricity Department. What right does he have to act arbitrarily to disconnect the cables and to put the school, college children and the public consumers at large to leave high and dry without internet. BSNL which was the only government landline is now bankrupt at the hands of double engine government.
Despite many people would like to have landline connections, they are compelled to withdraw as no capable linesmen having full knowledge in the field have been appointed. And now the High court also who alone could come to the rescue of their offices, students and the consumers at large seem to have turned deaf ears. Imagine what will be the plight of those depending on the internet if they want to call an ambulance or fire services. I would be much obliged if High Court could give some time or suggest some measures in this situation.
Jose Gonsalves, Merces
Birds shaped
aviation industry
The skies have always captured the human imagination, inspiring dreams of flight and exploration. But long before humans took to the skies, birds had already mastered the art and science of flight. Long have humans gazed at birds with a mix of envy and awe. It was these feathered fliers that first inspired us to take to the air in flying machines. Throughout history, and even today, new advancements in aerospace can be traced back to bird anatomy, which has served as a wealth of inspiration for engineers and designers, shaping the evolution of the aviation industry.
From the graceful soaring of eagles to the precise hovering of hummingbirds, each aspect of bird flight has provided valuable insights into aerodynamics. Even though everything about aviation appears to have been invented right from the time of the Wright brothers – Wilbur and Orville – in 1903, even today much of how birds are able to move across the skies at staggering heights with such grace remains largely mysterious.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai