Provide underground
ducts for internet cables
In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the High Court of Bombay at Goa reportedly dismissed a Civil Application filed by the Goa Cable TV Networking and Service Providers Association, thereby allowing the Electricity Department to proceed with the removal of illegally strung cables on electricity poles across the state.
It is a fact the cables hanging from the poles posed a threat to public safety especially to vehicular traffic and the linesmen who have to climb the electricity poles for maintenance work besides providing an ugly site. Cable operators play a crucial role in providing reliable access to television channels.
However, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are important because they allow people to access the internet and other services. ISPs allow people to access information online, such as news, entertainment, and educational resources. Customers can surf the web, shop online, conduct business, and connect with family and friends.
These services can encompass healthcare, finance, corporate world and more. It seems prudent to have underground ducts for the internet cables as has been done in the city of Vasco. When underground cabling is being carried out for electricity wires across the state, a separate duct could also be provided for the internet cables.
Underground cables are less susceptible to weather-related damage, such as wind or extreme temperatures. Having cables buried helps minimize interference from other electrical or radio signals. It keeps the internet cables out of sight making the city aesthetic and reduces risk
of accidents.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Auto rickshaw driver
turns Good Samaritan
This has reference to the report ‘Saif meets auto driver who rushed him to hospital’ (Herald, January 23, 2025).
At the end of the day, the celebrity Saif is now well, recovering from the so-called failed robbery attempt. This incident however throws up a couple of questions. Security for instance, how could security be so lax when Saif owns four floors of the building?
It is said money and wealth is not everything, bringing us to another important reality. You may own several cars some may be the most expensive hi-tech cars but when it comes to emergency, it was the humble auto rickshaw, the common man's means of transport that comes to your aid as we saw in the case of Saif. It was good to see Saif thanking the auto driver for taking him to the hospital. A quote on humility comes to mind, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."
Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai
Release funds for
DSSS beneficiaries
The Dayanand Social Security Scheme beneficiaries such as senior citizens and widows are complaining that they have not received their dues for several months and this delay truly reflects on the careless attitude of the government that claims to be doing everything in the interest of the Goans.
Having said that, I hope the concerned authorities will immediately release these funds to the DSSS beneficiaries accounts as early as possible.
Alexandrina Soares, Margao
Historic triumph for
Indian PD Cricket Team
Kudos to the Indian physical disability men's cricket team who won the PD T20 champions trophy cup defeating England in the final. These cricketers by winning the cup despite their physical disability have shown us that there is nothing that is impossible in this world. They are in fact role models to the new generation proving the saying "where there is a will there is a way".
The team's exceptional preparation and excellent performance in the final has helped them clinch the trophy. The team under the guidance of the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India rose to every challenge and all the members played with heart, determination, and spirit throughout the tournament winning everyone's heart.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Ensure adequate education to all
There are lakhs of children for whom education is a luxury. Gender equality and poverty eradication are possible through equitable and quality distribution of education. Almost 250 million youngsters are unable to attend schools. Empowering people and fostering peace through " education and learning" cannot be overstressed.
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations (UN) has called for free and compulsory elementary education to all. Right to education is one of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDG) that the top humanitarian body of the world--the UN---hopes to achieve by the year 2030.
According to the UN, education has the power to reduce inequalities, improve health and protect and promote sustainable environment. Hate speech, xenophobia and intolerance can be fought with the powerful tool called education. Education and knowledge can do a world of difference to men and women in oppressed areas of the globe.
They can be the " difference" their forefathers could not be. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) , International Day of Education on January 24, therefore, assumes great significance.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Draft regulations are
outside UGC’s dominion
Education, being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution implies shared responsibility between the Centre and the States. But the latest UGC draft regulations appear to centralize authority by giving Governors, as Chancellors of most State universities, greater control over the selection of VCs. This seems to be an unprecedented move and such endeavours smack of a sinister political intervention by the ruling dispensation in the recruitment process and career advancement of teachers.
Needless to say it also undermines the federal principles in education. Draft regulations are outside UGC’s jurisdiction, especially in so far as the appointment of Vice Chancellors of public universities are concerned. In fact, UGC is only a regulatory body, which also should have been wound up by now going by the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 guidelines. That the same has not happened speaks volumes of the clout of the UGC’s bureaucracy aided and abetted by the ruling BJP.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai