Panjim Smart City: A spectacular marvel!
The CEO of Panjim Smart City has proudly announced today the completion of the Smart City project. "The Smart City Mission officially ended on March 31, with the Central government considering all projects completed", he declared.
With the completion of the works, Goa’s capital has now transformed into a truly breathtaking urban paradise. Citizens who waited for many long years for this day can now expect world-class footpaths, well-structured underground ducts, neatly arranged cables, fully functional Smart services, lush greenery, and
beautifully designed traffic islands making Panjim as stunning as the other charming cities of the world.
Welcome to the Smart City. Panjim now stands tall among the world's most beautiful cities, like Rome, Venice, Tokyo, Paris. Some say it rivals Singapore, others compare it to New York.
Every small detail is perfectly in order. No dimly lit street lights, no incomplete pavements, no misplaced drains, no open trenches, no potholes. Step out, and you’ll witness this transformation first hand. The footpaths are smooth and spacious, the underground ducts and cables have been meticulously structured, the roads no longer will need to be dug up every other week. Smart services will now be available to every tourist and resident round the clock, digital boards flashing information, traffic gardens adding a touch of beauty, offering drivers a scenic view with no traffic congestion or chaos. The landscaping simply breathtaking like the beautiful gardens of Mughal times. Just as flawless as the consultants had promised in their grand presentations at Hotel Fidalgo.
As citizens soak in the sheer brilliance of this urban masterpiece, one can’t help but appreciate the impeccable timing of this announcement.
After all, what better day to declare Panjim’s Smart City transformation complete than April 1st—April Fools’ Day!
April Fool, folks!
Sandeep Heble, Panjim
Fudged rankings,
bleak futures
The future of millions of young Indians is at risk as our higher education system, once held as an example of excellent academic rigor, faces unprecedented crisis.
Last year, the National Testing Agency was under the lens for widespread irregularities in crucial exams, including the medical entrance test. Now, the body that accredits colleges – the National Assessment and Accreditation Council is in the spotlight for corruption. Seven members of an inspection committee have been arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to inflate rating of a particular college.
Even the National Institutional Rankings Framework, which ranks top universities, is under scrutiny. These fudged indices lacking credibility are playing havoc with the future of many. Students apply to institutes of higher learning based on their NAAC/NIRF rankings, what will be the fate of these children when they graduate and enter the job market? Everything in India has become a huge scam now, too much of vikas and achhey din in the education sector.
With the regressive New Education Policy being launched countrywide things will only get worse.
Rekha Sarin Trehan, Benaulim
India should align with
Asian counterparts
In light of the trade policies implemented by the Trump administration, China, Japan, and South Korea have found ways to navigate these challenges collectively. In contrast, India must reconsider its role as a mere outpost for US interests against China. Instead, India should align itself with its Asian neighbours, fostering partnerships that reflect the realities of our region. India’s current position appears to have capitulated to Trump's tariffs without actively engaging in global trade negotiations. This approach undermines our potential to strengthen our manufacturing base, which remains inadequate in terms of producing high-quality global brands. Rather than focusing on low-value products, we should aim to elevate our manufacturing capabilities and promote products that resonate with both local and international markets. Joining forces with our Asian counterparts could lead to a more balanced and strategic approach, one that prioritise our interests and fosters sustainable growth in the region.
And not get bullied by Trump!
Misha Sarin, Varca
What happened
to smart work?
Once a beautiful city, well laid out, all public works perfectly functioning, peaceful and citizens living a cosy life is today a disgrace under smart city works making life difficult to live.
With so many extensions taken and given, the work is still incomplete and it will never be completed as all the concerned departments are not in cooperation with each other at the time of the execution of the smart works. The results: there is digging and re-digging, excavating and replacing over the last couple of years. What was planned, conceptualised with precision and put in place during the Portuguese regime is now destroyed and cannot be planned and executed with modern engineering technology.
Said one senior Ponjekar: without using common sense and precision, the failure of Smart City planners is on display today. If worst come to worst, this monsoon will be a trying time for Panjim residents to put our patience to test, added another elder visiting the market.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo