Leather shoes and deforestation
Citing environmental concerns, the Directorate of Education has reportedly made canvas shoes mandatory as part of the school student uniform in government, aided, unaided, primary, secondary higher secondary and special schools, except during the monsoon season, when rainwear is permitted.
It is learnt that this is being done for the protection of the environment as leather shoes come at a huge environmental cost. It is a fact that leather is a by-product of the cattle industry and a major culprit of deforestation and Greenhouse gas emissions globally.
It contributes to significant biodiversity loss. Raw hides and skins may be contaminated with a variety of bacteria, yeasts, etc, and cause various diseases. Canvas shoes are lightweight and well-ventilated, making them ideal for warmer weather. However, they have a shorter lifespan than leather shoes as they are prone to wear and tear. Canvas shoes are also often affordable and available in a variety of colours and designs.
Crafted from breathable materials, canvas shoes are lightweight and perfect for long hours of wear. Their soft fabric keeps the feet cool and comfortable even during warm weather. However, making canvas shoes mandatory for school students is a very miniscule step towards preventing environmental degradation.
In Goa it is a well-known fact that rampant deforestation is being carried out to make way for concrete jungles. Hill cutting and deforestation will have a much more negative impact on nature than students wearing leather shoes.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Daylight vandalism
In recent times, vandalism has become a growing concern in Goa. Recently, our vehicle was vandalised in broad daylight while we attended the Ash Wednesday Mass. In spite of taking extra care & parking it in a safe spot this happened.
When the cops were informed, they had a wild theory that either a piece of gravel got hit on the window glass or stray cats were involved that led to the damage. Honestly, the cops being this naïve, doesn’t surprise me. For formality sake, our complaint was filed & a copy was given for the record. And that was the end of the drama. As the saying goes “Raat gayi, baat gayi” & that’s what has been happening for years now.
How do you expect crimes to stop if the cops themselves aren’t bothered to get to the bottom of a crime? Why do you think some people in rage take matters into their own hands? One has fear of no one. This is today’s sad reality.
Monaliza D’Costa, Curchorem
Definition of a meaningful life
Helen Mirren once said: “I don't believe that if you do good, good things will happen. Everything is completely accidental and random. Sometimes bad things happen to very good people and sometimes good things happen to bad people. But at least if you try to do good things, then you’re spending your time doing something worthwhile.”
Life doesn’t follow a script where good deeds are always rewarded, and bad actions always lead to consequences. If only it were that simple. The truth is, life is unpredictable—sometimes cruelly so. We’ve all seen kind, selfless people face unimaginable hardships while others who manipulate and harm seem to thrive. It’s frustrating, unfair, and difficult to make sense of.
But does that mean kindness is pointless? Not at all.
When we do good, we’re not making a transaction with the universe, expecting a guaranteed return. We’re making a choice—one that defines who we are, not what we get in return. Being kind, helping others, spreading positivity—these things don’t always lead to external rewards, but they create something even more important: a meaningful life.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Gaza ceasefire
It is heartening to see the unity among the Arab nations at the Summit in Cairo as they presented their plan for the post war reconstruction of Gaza that would allow the Palestinians to live in their land.
The Western world must support it. Trump’s idea for the US to take over Gaza and permanently resettle its population elsewhere is atrocious. It is what Israel wants. That’s why it bombed Gaza relentlessly for the past 15 months and killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, majority of them women and children! And the Trump administration has now given additional twelve billion dollars in military assistance to Israel. To continue their bombardment? Now in the West Bank?
Israel has not started the second round of ceasefire talks, Israel has blocked entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and food is in short supply. Israel has disregarded the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council and the International Criminal Court which has issued an arrest warrant against its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Western countries must stop arming Israel and aiding it in its genocide. The West must extend all support to the Arab League plans for the reconstruction of Gaza. And most importantly, the Arab nations must remain united.
Jennifer Viegas, Navelim