It isn’t quite time for the total look back on 2017. Nor is it time to do a wish list for in 2018. That can wait. We still have three days to go and the year of tragedies hasn’t quite finished playing its part. Road accidents still continue to happen, taking lives and as the year draws to a close, the mammoth tragedy at the Kamla Mills compound in Mumbai where a woman celebrating her birthday was killed in an inferno which took about 14 other lives, has numbed us.
As Goa winds down to party hard in the next 72 hours, we wish everyone well. But at the same time, we the people, the police, the drug enforcement agencies, the transport authorities and the traffic personnel need to keep maximum vigil to ensure that the following does not happen.
Firstly, after an awareness campaign by Herald, where we, on behalf of the people of Goa clearly upped the ante asking serious questions about the nature, form and legality of several trance parties announced, there appears to have been a crackdown of sorts. But there is no room for complacency. Herald, on behalf of the people of Goa, is clear that new year revelry in Goa, should not have traces of drug consumption, leave alone sale. And even if the entire police and the ANC force deeds to be deployed to check each party venue for drugs, and have scanning machines to check party goers, let that be done.
A team of sniffer dogs and drug detection kits, if available, should be at hand with a team scouring all venues, not just in North Goa but also in the far reaches of Palolem and Patnem.
Meanwhile, drunken driving has to be checked and this is a no brainer. This is a good time to ask if the traffic police has enough breath analysing machines. The sheer volume of tests that need to be done through these three nights is enormous and it is unlikely that the force has enough machines and men to do this. An assurance in this regard is expected so that we stand corrected.
At the same time, these checks need to be done humanely and two-wheeler riders, especially those who look like tourists, should not be treated as villains and pounced upon.
And finally, Goa’s fire and health care system, from the PHC’s to the bigger hospitals, including private ones should be ready for any emergency. The entire fleet of 108 ambulances as well those of private hospitals should be geared up to take calls. An increased deployment is needed in the Northern coastal belt. Hospitals should also ensure that their blood banks have optimum blood and their trauma care doctors and staff work round the clock on Dec 30 and 31 at least.
This is not to trigger any alarm bells. This is purely a safety first approach due to the number of people who come to Goa and the sheer number of parties that will take place in Bardez alone.
While Goa welcomes the world, the year end has seen tragedies like drug related deaths and major accidents taking place.
Here’s wishing everyone in Goa a happy, safe and enjoyable week-end, and to the authorities we wish them loads of luck. They will need it.
