Kolkata doctor rape & murder inflection point for the country
The rape and murder of a young and energetic doctor at R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata has been an inflection point for the country after Nirbhaya sexual violence case, which rocked the country. Now after the rape and murder of Dr Abhaya, the media has termed it as Nirbhaya 2.0 or Justice for Abhaya. The case certainly needs a thorough investigation, without leaving any loopholes. When we call a rape victim by names (nomenclatures), we are foisting a forced idea of fearlessness on a woman, who is no longer alive to speak about the ordeal. Women are brave, but no one is fearless regarding sexual violence. No one should be bleeding from the eyes and private parts. It is really an inhumane and unethical act. This idea of thrusting fearlessness on a murdered woman needs investigating without bias. The West Bengal government did many things wrong to what unfolded at the R G Kar Medical College, the most 'egregious' is unexplained protection of Sandip Ghosh, not only did the violence unfold on his watch, doctors say Ghosh blamed the victim which is absolutely unbelievable. The Chief Justice of India rightly called this incident against Dr Abhaya a moment of 'catharsis ' which it is. But citizens of the country need to learn some lessons from it, and the first one is, how not to react to rape and sexual violence.
Diomedes Romano Pereira, Corlim
Goa besieged
People all over the world are in love with Goa, its people and environment. God has truly blessed us with nature's gift that one cannot see it anywhere. As in the Bible we have Judas, who betrayed Jesus that led to his crucifixion. The same anomaly applies to our beloved brethren. Cutting of trees was in the hands of the Forest Department and the Environment Department. Today, these departments have been kept in the dark and a new body has been formed called the “Goa Tree Authority”, where the Chief Secretary has unauthorized vision and perverse. The idea does not look Goan and this department has exploited the Goans. Can one imagine 4,263 trees have been granted for Central and State projects. What a shame that our C.M who heads the P.W.D, was permitted to fell 616 trees for construction of six-lane elevated corridor, maintenance management bridge at Porvorim. China would probably have a hearty laugh to see a 6 lane bridge in a small place like Porvorim. Also, what can be seen is that there is no Management. We need development and Progress and the future lies that the Government officials will grow 3 trees every tree cut.
Tecla Furtado, Velsao
Non-violent ways
Mahatma Gandhi "battled" every inch to foster harmony in the world during his days of intense and devoted struggle with an unflinching dedication to free India from colonial rule. It is apt that October 2, the birth anniversary of the peerless Mahatma, is observed as the "International Day of Non Violence". Nothing can generate love and compassion between countries and individuals than non violence.
The Mahatma said non violence is the "summit of bravery". Therefore, only brave countries with equally brave leaders can preach and practice the same. Also, "forgiveness" was the strong point of Gandhi. He had inbuilt qualities of righteousness and morality that could touch thousands of lives.
The Mahatma firmly believed non violence cuts without wounding, and ennobles the man who wields it. As a light can drive darkness away, so can good company inject nobility in the not-so-good ones. Gandhi substituted good with peace loving and not-so-good with violence.
That is why he is considered to be the torchbearer of non violence. Tall leaders of all generations held the simple, but strong, man with high reverence due to his single minded dedication to the cause he firmly thought was the right path to life's journey. "Live simply so others may simply live" was his prayer.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Delhi's air quality remains poor
For long Delhi has been in focus for its worst air quality level. In fact, the findings by the Swiss air purifier company IQ-Air that India’s capital is the “most polluted city in the world” only accentuated Delhi’s woes in tackling the air quality menace. Delhi’s toxic air is caused by vehicle and industrial emissions, dust from building sites, smoke from the burning of rubbish and crop residue in nearby fields. All these combine to choke the life out of the Delhiites. It destroys the vitality of flora and takes the blue out of the sky, making everything look dusted and dull. The Delhi government has reportedly rolled out a number of policies targeting various sources of air pollution, from industry to road traffic. Despite this, its air quality has consistently worsened to the point of today’s public health emergency.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai