Reopen schools as per
favourable conditions
The delegation of parents and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members are absolutely right in urging the government to reconsider its decision on reopening schools. They have raised valid concerns over extreme heat, water shortages and power fluctuations, arguing that reopening in April would be both uncomfortable and unhealthy for students as well as teachers. Furthermore, such a decision will only create more anxiety among parents.
The government should consult the Meteorological Department to assess weather conditions before making such crucial decisions. The effects of extreme heat are unpredictable—what if there is an earthquake or a heatwave? Have we considered the dehydration risks for students?
According to the government circular, the academic year 2025-26 for Goa Board schools will commence on April 1 for Classes VI to X and XII, with summer vacations starting from May 1, and reopening on June 3. While the government has assured that classes in April will end by 11.30 am to mitigate the impact of summer heat, has it taken into account the current rising temperatures? Do classrooms have air-conditioning? Forget air-conditioning—how can students even sit in such unfavourable natural conditions?
This decision must be reconsidered. Please revoke this directive and issue a revised, balanced circular that takes into account the concerns of Goan communities and students. Schools and colleges must reopen only when weather conditions are naturally favourable.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Rampant land scams
must be stopped
The ongoing land scams in Goa under the present government reveal that corruption has reached its peak. Government authorities seem to have no hesitation in approving dubious land deals, as they are themselves complicit in the system.
Can land ownership be claimed solely based on Form 1 & XIV without possessing old documents proving purchase, inheritance, or legal transfer? Some unscrupulous lawyers manipulate this process by preparing fraudulent title deeds using Form 1 & XIV as the sole legal document. How are such transactions even approved by the government?
To make matters worse, individuals are changing their names through unofficial means just to match the records in Form 1 & XIV. When queried under the RTI Act, crucial documents are often found to be missing. Shouldn’t the police and the registrar’s office take strict action against such fraudulent land sellers?
The government must step in immediately and ensure that any land sale where original sale deeds or inheritance records are not produced is flagged as fraudulent. Simply stating that Form 1 & XIV is not a legal document is not enough—any transactions based on it should be suspended. If such sales are allowed to proceed, the government must take responsibility as a guarantor, considering that many overseas Goans have had their land sold off illegally with the involvement of corrupt officials.
The Chief Minister must ensure that no sale deed is finalised unless all ownership documents are verified. Furthermore, a dedicated police officer must be appointed to investigate fraudulent land deals and hold the culprits accountable.
Gregory E D’Souza, Siolim
Health is the
only wealth
You may have a thousand problems in life but you can tackle them one way or the other.......until you have a problem with your health. Then, it becomes the only problem. All of a sudden,the issues which led to stress like relationships, money, deadlines at work, bitchy relatives, children, a bigger house/a bigger car/ a fatter bank balance or rather a lack of them etc pale into insignificance. If you come down with a major illness or terminal disease even your family too suffers.
Endless rounds of hospitals, never-ending pathology tests, CT/ MRI scans, doctor's consultation fees, followups, nursing care, skyrocketing costs of medicines some of which might have to be imported from abroad exhaust the immediate family physically, mentally, financially and emotionally.
Medical insurance companies reject claims at the slightest pretext which makes matters worse. Illness makes even the most beautiful things in life lose their meaning. The aphorism 'Health is wealth' is pretty outdated, now 'Health is the only wealth'. Proper diet and regular exercise atleast five days a week will ensure that 70% of the diseases will never afflict you, and if you are lucky to live in a pollution free environment that figure goes up to 80%. Good health first and foremost, everything else is secondary ; this should be your life mantra.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Rupturing pipelines and
depleting water level
It is learnt that over a million litres of drinking water went waste after the valve of the main Selaulim water pipeline was damaged by a JCB machine at Paroda on Tuesday, disrupting water supply to Salcete and adjoining areas.
It must be said that there needs to be a permanent signboard next to the air-valve which is at ground-level. In another incident, a pipeline which was ruptured at Guirim last week during excavation remains unrepaired leading to wastage of huge amounts of water. Ironically the government has advised the citizens to make judicious use of water when a large amount of water is going waste due to damage to the water pipeline.
It is necessary to always contact utility companies before digging to locate underground utilities and take necessary precautions during excavation. There is a need to use hand tools to carefully expose and avoid damaging existing pipes. Be that as it may, the rapid depleting water levels in key reservoirs across the state have become a major issue with most reservoirs reportedly hitting the 50 percent mark except for Selaulim dam in South Goa which remains relatively stable at 70 per cent capacity.
It is learnt that the water level in Tillari reservoir has suddenly dropped to 52 percent. And we are just at the beginning of a long summer season ahead with over two and half months left before the onset of monsoon. It seems that (God forbid) Goa could face a water crisis this year.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco