After drunken driving, is it now drugged driving?
In an accident reported at Pedamol in Quepem, a car rammed into several two-wheelers on Sunday night, leading to the death of a rider and another person sustaining severe injuries.
It is learnt that during a search of the car, police reportedly found a substance suspected to be ganja worth Rs. 12,000. The contraband was seized and the accused was arrested. There is every possibility that the driver was driving while under the influence of drugs.
Drugs have been pouring into Goa in multiple forms from various destinations. Goa Police may have struck fair success in apprehending individuals. However there is no control over the source.
Besides drunken driving, there could be those driving under the influence of drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs can lead to a false sense of confidence, rash decision making and risk taking. It can greatly affect concentration, reaction time and judgement.
While some drugs can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impair thinking and judgment, other drugs can make the driver aggressive and reckless. Drug testing can be performed through urine, blood, saliva, and even breath analysis. It aims to identify the presence of drugs that might compromise a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. However, no such tests are conducted on vehicular drivers in Goa as a preventive measure against road accidents.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Police officers becoming scapegoats
Too often, law enforcers become scapegoats for the broader failures of our society and criminal justice system. The example of two separate cases of Police Inspectors Paresh Naik and Prashal Desai being made scapegoats, cast a shadow of doubt on the sincerity of the government in protecting the people and giving justice to the people. Those police officers who are working honestly, are either transferred or suspended by the higher echelons of the police and the government for doing their duty as per their mandate to control crime and law and order.
Instead of applauding and appreciating their work, the government authorities are recommended for suspension or transfers. The police force of a state must gain credibility so that the locals trust it for justice.
Honest and able officers have also been transferred regularly for trying to uphold the law. This is the nature of the game. Politicians consider it as good governance. In the present situation, the pressing need of the hour is to protect honest officers at any cost so that they can execute their actions properly.
Penalising honest officers for doing their duty will demoralise the spirit of the police force. It is imperative to ensure a secured work environment for such officers so that they are not harassed through endless transfers or suspensions in their career.
A committed and a dedicated person ensures incredibly noticeable results, wherever he or she puts in his efforts.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Act against errant
police officers
This has reference to the report ‘Cops loot gold from thieves in Kanpur…’ (Herald October 22, 2024).
This is yet another instance that paints the entire police force in bad light. It is really disgusting when the protectors of the people, of the law, turn into thieves and law breakers.
Needless to say, the strictest action should be taken against these policemen who allegedly looted the booty and allowed thieves to go scot free, while probing a theft case in Kanpur.
Where is the honesty, the sincerity in our law enforcing agencies, one is tempted to ask. The police force everywhere needs to refurbish its image, before the public loses complete faith in them.
Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai
NZ women’s team lifts first-ever T20 world cup October 20, 2024 is a day no New Zealand cricket fan shall ever forget in the years to come.
The New Zealand women’s team won its first-ever T20 cricket world cup title. Third time in the final was a charm for the White Ferns, as they overcame South Africa by 32 runs to lift the title.
It was the first ICC title for the women’s side since winning the ODI World Cup in 2000. It was actually a double delight for Kiwi fans, as earlier in the day, their men’s team did something nobody saw coming.
They won a Test on Indian soil for the first time since 1988. The triumph of the New Zealand women’s team should make Kane Williamson in particular more ecstatic as the gentleman cricketer was devastated after his team lost the ODI world cup to England in the finals at Lord’s five years ago on a bizarre boundary count.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Retain Sarfaraz in Indian Test team
Sarfaraz Khan made his way into the Indian cricket side February this year by dint of sheer hard work. Needless to say, talent and skill were always conspicuous in the 27--year--old Mumbai batsman, who had a fairly decent debut series against England.
And he has that knack of fighting back when pushed to the wall. After retaining Sarfaraz in the team for the two-test home series against Bangladesh -- though he didn't get a place in the final eleven -- the selectors showed him the door to accommodate some “stars” and “favourites”.
Not to lose heart over issues beyond his control, the stocky batsman made a statement in the Irani Cup trophy against the Rest of India: a solid unbeaten 222. Ironically, he was picked to play the Bengaluru test only after the “regular” Shubman Gill was forced to cool his heels due to an injury.
An unfazed Sarfaraz’s answer to the selectors’ earlier snub was a roaring 150 scored under extremely trying circumstances. Sarfaraz should become a permanent feature in India's playing eleven.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola