Crocodiles may wander
onto flooded roads
It is learnt that over the past three days, Goa has recorded the highest for the pre-monsoon period in the past one decade. The incessant heavy showers have resulted in flooding of roads and water entering the houses in low-lying areas. One fallout of this flooding, which is many-a-times overlooked, is the presence of crocodiles on the roads and at times even entering the homes.
A crocodile was reportedly rescued from a residential area at Coelhowaddo in Britona-Penha da Franca in the wee hours of Thursday. During heavy rainfall, crocodiles may be displaced from their usual habitats in rivers and canals and wander onto roads or into residential areas when there is flooding as they seek refuge elsewhere. Incidentally the mugger or marsh crocodile is the most common type found in Goa and is also the most dangerous to humans.
In the past, crocodiles have been spotted in residential areas in Curchorem, Parsem, Vaddem in Vasco, Cavelossim and several other places. In a rare and alarming incident, recently a woman was seriously injured after being attacked by two crocodiles while washing clothes at a riverbank in Saton-Dabal leaving the woman with severe injuries before nearby residents could intervene.
It is absolutely necessary for the citizens living near water bodies to be alert to such dangerous situations. Barking of stray dogs or pet dogs at night can be a vital sign of such an unwanted and dangerous guest in the neighbourhood. The Forest Department needs to be quick to respond to distress calls and rescue the crocodile before it attacks humans and pets.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Need to be vigilant
at all times
Operation Sindoor against Pakistan and the PoK based terrorists was implemented effectively and well. However, we should not allow that euphoria to extend indefinitely and blind us to new threats from our enemies.
In most attacks on us, we have been caught with our guard down and allowed the terrorists mostly to take advantage of the situation and kill our innocent people. We also need to remember that the terrorists who attacked the tourists at Pahalgam still remain at large and have not been caught though almost a month has passed. The test of our security establishment is when they are able to intercept, apprehend and eliminate the terrorists who dare attack us and catch those who escape quickly.
Srinivas Kamat, Mysore
Will Goa embrace
app-based taxis?
The newly introduced Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025 aim to reshape the state's transport sector by bringing all taxis and motorcycle taxis under a unified App system. This move is expected to make commuting more efficient, transparent, and accessible, marking a significant shift in how people travel across Goa.
With ride-hailing services revolutionising urban mobility in Mumbai and Bengaluru, Goa now has the opportunity to integrate popular aggregators into its network, ensuring a seamless transport experience for both tourists and locals. The benefits extend beyond convenience—app-based taxis will also help reduce vehicular congestion on Goa’s roads. With fair and standardised fares driving high demand, more people will opt for shared rides instead of using personal vehicles, curbing the excessive number of private cars clogging the streets.
However, for these guidelines to be truly transformative, the government must ensure strict implementation. Simply introducing a policy isn’t enough—active enforcement and strategic infrastructure improvements are essential to maximize its impact. Goa must take cues from cities that have successfully blended technology with commuter convenience, ensuring that public transport evolves without succumbing to vested interests.
Will Goa finally break free from outdated transport inefficiencies? The answer hinges on the government’s willingness to push forward and prioritize mobility over political resistance. The time for hesitation is over—Goa’s commuters need action.
Everette Assis Telles,
Margao
Arrest inhuman
brutes immediatly
It is paining that while our sisters who have been widowed by the terrorists who killed their husbands in cold blood in Pahalgam are still struggling to come out of their great sorrow and the nation is praying that they should come out of their grief soon, the utterances of some of our leaders do not appear to subscribe to this intention.
Sindoor on the forehead of our Indian sisters is considered sacred because it is a symbol of holy matrimony. When our military mission against Pakistan was called 'Operation Sindoor', we believed and appreciated that it was named so, as the operation was to avenge the dastardly act of the terrorists which snatched the Sindoor of our sisters.
In the circumstances, recently while announcing various projects in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Modi thundered, “it is not blood which flows in my veins but ‘boiling’ sindoor!’ and he also compared the sacred Sindoor to the gun powder used by the armed forces in ‘Operation Sindoor’. One wonders what type of an impact his speech would have made on our widowed sisters who have lost their Sindoor.
Right now, what our sisters expect from PM Modi is not this type of rhetorics on their lost Sindoor but immediate arrest of the four terrorists who are still at large after killing their husbands in cold blood and maximum punishment rendered to those inhuman brutes.
Tharcius S Fernando,
Chennai
Let our children
touch earth again
The 1990s witnessed vibrant scenes across India—villages, towns, even city corners echoing with Kabaddi chants, children chasing Pithu targets, or crafting strategies in “Chor-Sipahi.” These games were not merely a pastime.
They were instruments of character, courage, and community. Traditional games like Kabaddi, Gilli Danda, Kushti, and Konchay nurtured strength, discipline, patience, and teamwork. Others like Pithu, Bhurey, and Hide-and-Seek sharpened reflexes, decision-making, and social bonding. Most importantly, these games connected children to the soil, to the sun, and to one another.
Today’s youth, overwhelmed by screens and isolated routines, need these games more than ever—to regain purpose, build physical fitness, and reclaim confidence. Their revival in schools, madrasas, parks, and local events could be a powerful tool against addiction, apathy, and aggression. Let us return this joyful inheritance to our children—not just to play, but to become.
Mohammad Hasnain, Muzaffarpur