Are Goans really
safe in Goa?
Is development and tourism really helping Goa? Or is the government only in the name of development and tourism filling its own pockets? Today every Goan mind is filled with so many questions, but the government which is selected for the people by the people has no time to answer the people. The only question comes to mind. Does our beautiful Goa really belong to our Goans?
Anita Fernandes, Verna
Safety of women
on the streets
Police have reportedly arrested two men from Uttar Pradesh and residents of Candolim for allegedly outraging the modesty of a woman by passing derogatory comments and assaulting her male friends.
In another incident, the Mapusa Police reportedly arrested a resident of Cunchelim for allegedly molesting a 29-year-old woman. The accused allegedly abused and made inappropriate advances towards the woman.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday expressed deep concern regarding the alarming rise in crime against women stating that there is no fear of law among criminals.
As a result, tourists feel emboldened to pass lewd comments about local women. It is a fact that women do not feel safe to move about on the streets after sundown. Section Incidentally 354 of the Indian Penal Code aims to protect women from any indecent or filthy behaviour by others that belittle their modesty.
As per statistics, at least one crime against a woman is committed every day in Goa. This despite the fact that several measures have been taken by the government to make women in the State feel safe. While toll-free helpline numbers are in service, a WhatsApp helpline number is also functional throughout the day at the police control room. Self-defence courses are conducted by Goa Police for girls in various schools and colleges. What is necessary is to give the strictest of punishment to those indulging in crime against women so that it acts as a deterrent to such acts in future.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Bosses shouldn’t
be bossy
The “Boss’ day” is round the corner - October 16. All bosses are not leaders though the converse may hold true. Most conflicts in workplaces can be avoided if the boss understands the simple fact that no employee would have worked under him if the former were to be self-sufficient to rest at home and fend for himself and his family.
A boss who was an employee earlier must recollect his past while continuing with the present. An effective boss will have to have 4 ‘As’. He has to be articulate, assiduous, assertive and assessor. The bosses must set an example themselves by bringing out the first two qualities in them. While being an assessor, the ‘partiality angle’ must be given a go by.
Subordinates want to see a mirror reflection of themselves in their bosses. An employee expects the boss to possess 4 other ‘A’ qualities - accountable, assimilable, affectionate and accommodating. Together, these 8 ‘As’ will go a long way to maintain a harmonious relationship in the workplace. To put it another way, a boss should not ‘boss around’ or be ‘bossy’.
All this being said, everybody should know it is very tough to have a boss who is a role model and like others, bosses tend to be slaves of their moods.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Give peace
a chance
The ongoing turmoil in West Asia has historical roots and has been going on for a very long time till date.
There is complete fatigue now, and it is time we see a permanent solution to resolve the Israel- Palestine conflict to be resolved amicably. The cause of the current misery is Hamas and not the people of the region who should be left alone.
Israel has every right to retaliate but it should ensure that no civilians are killed in Gaza. Israel’s bombing in Gaza has aroused sympathy waves across the world. The havoc in the ongoing war is heart rending as innocent lives are lost. Saner counsel should prevail on both sides to restore normalcy. The Israelis and Palestinian should live securely and in peace, Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Lebanon should not build animosity towards Israel, in recent development Iran has bombarded Israel with thousands of missiles which was aimed towards army installations as Israel didn’t strike first, but the leadership in Israel should address the root causes of socioeconomic deprivation and loss of hope in Gaza.
Two things that struck me about the West Asia conflict: that we can sink to the lowest levels of inhumane approach and brutality, snuffing out more and more innocent lives- not sparing even young children or the old and taking so many as hostages.
Second, the future war scenario looks really grim and scary.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Mockery of
human rights
Just for raising his voice for the human rights of the weak, oppressed and the victims of the system in an absolute non-violent fashion, ex-Professor GN Saibaba found himself lodged in prison for around a decade (before getting bail) despite 90 per cent disability due to polio in childhood; that too when the basis on which all the allegations were made were too hollow to prosecute him!
On the one hand we will continuously hear dialogues of “Bail is Rule, Jail Exception” or “An accused should be treated as innocent till proven guilty”; on the other innumerable innocent folks would have to undergo unbearable pain within the darkness of jail for time unknown without any crime getting proved against them!
Unlike another non-violent human rights activist Stan Swamy who had to take his last breath amidst the worst of the conditions in jail after the Parkinson-disease affected octogenarian found himself confined for more than a year when the pandemic was at its deadly peak; Saibaba was “lucky” enough to get bail, but his “reward” of continued medical negligence took such a huge toll upon his already vulnerable body that it could not bear the strain of a routine operation procedure and passed away despite aged only 57!
All Indians must hang their heads in shame and disgrace (provided an iota of conscience still exists in mindset) following such a travesty of justice and mockery of human rights with innumerable faceless innocents falling victim to it along with Stan Swamy and GN Saibaba!
Also the prosecuting personnel, who are at the forefront in robbing human rights of innocents by virtue of manufacturing hollow papers and documents, must be awarded strongest punishment possible.
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
When music, politics
go hand in hand
Music and politics seem a natural pair world over. This has been demonstrated in no small measure when ace music composer A R Rahman recorded a 30-minute video concert in support of the US Vice-President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, which, no doubt, will further solidify her bid ahead of the US presidential elections early next month.
The performance is anticipated to significantly enhance Harris’ visibility, particularly among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, as she aims to become the first Black woman, and the first woman in history, to serve as President of the United States. Rahman’s involvement signals a growing recognition of the power and influence of the AAPI electorate, which is a formidable community and is poised to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the US election results.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai