Will free helmets distribution stop
helmet-less riding?
During the 13th Road Safety Week observed recently, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho reportedly distributed 100 free helmets to two-wheeler riders at the Chicalim junction.
It is learnt that in a push to promote the use of safety gear, the government would reportedly distribute 1,000 free helmets across the state through the transport department. The question that arises is whether distribution of free helmets would solve the issue of helmetless riding.
It needs to be noted that every two-wheeler rider does possess a helmet which is probably lying somewhere in their homes. If a person can afford to own a two-wheeler he/she can definitely afford to buy a helmet.
Most two wheeler-riders wear a helmet only to avoid having to pay a penalty and not for their safety. Distributing 1000 helmets by the transport department may not cost much but still it is public money that is being utilised.
It should be made mandatory for the two-wheeler company to provide a free helmet to the customer at the time of purchasing the vehicle. Helmet rule should be strictly adhered to. Both the driver and pillion rider should wear a helmet.
No matter whether the person is sitting in the backseat, they are also susceptible to serious injuries in case an accident takes place. The helmet should be ISI-certified.
Wearing a half helmet is not allowed as it does not offer optimal protection to the head. The helmet must be fastened with straps.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Scrapping of
vehicles
There are old cars that have been well cared for and comfortable, in excellent condition, carefully driven which are sparingly used by owners/senior citizens with no maintenance and within PUC parameters.
On the other hand there may be new vehicles ready to be scrapped!
The manufacturers have no schemes for those, who do not want to exchange them for new vehicles, and cumbersome de-registering a vehicle to sell it to a scrap dealer for someone who cannot afford to run or purchase a new vehicle shows up a government, which does not care or have consideration for the common man.
And also does not care about pollution for where and how the scrapping is done is an important factor!
As new vehicles and EVs roll out, there is great need for the government to come out quickly with a well thought out policy and rules after consultation with all the stakeholders to streamline the process for all concerned from manufacturers to dealers, insurers, customers, RTO and licensed scrap dealers to recycling of scrap. Trust the authorities will see the need to consider this matter urgently
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Celebrate an
eco-friendly Diwali
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a festival of lights that brings joy to people. It's a season of fun, laughter, heaps of sweets, pretty clothes and crackers.
Nope! Crackers are anything but an integral part of the festival. Celebrating a holiday does not necessarily have to be harmful to the planet that we live on.
Firecrackers burn and release smoke into the air, causing air pollution. This causes health hazards. So let’s celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali.
These days eco-friendly or green Diwali is being promoted. It is recommended that we use only earthen lamps and organic colours for Diwali and avoid the bursting of firecrackers as they can be harmful to the ecosystem and cause air and noise pollution.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai
Modi has completely failed on Manipur
The newspapers the other day reported that the Kuki tribal groups have asked PM Narendra Modi to intervene in Manipur. This is a plaintive cry for help from one of the principal groups involved in the tragedy that has engulfed Manipur for close to 16 months now.
Modi has turned a blind eye towards the situation though he chooses to intervene in far off countries like Israel, Russia and Ukraine and seeks peace in the wars there. Modi fails to understand his position that as Prime Minister of the country he is, to use an equivalent analogy from old Income Tax parlance, that of a karta of a Hindu Undivided Family - HUF.
In this role he has to manage the family's affairs and take care of each member with sympathy and benevolence as they go through the travails of life. Like Manipur has run into problems and Modi has to give a patient ear, a pat on the shoulder and a helping hand for them to come out of it.
His attitude up till now of turning his head away and ignoring the problem is shameful. And if he still does not do anything in the trouble-torn State it shows that Modi has completely failed in his role as Prime Minister of India.
Srinivas Kamat, Mysore
Stampede at stations
The Bandra Railway terminus stampede that injured nine was highly avoidable. In India, insensibility and anxiety are the biggest impediments to safe and secure travel as evidenced in the unreserved Bandra--Gorakhpur express that was reportedly manoeuvering from the terminus yard to the platform almost two and a half hours before its scheduled departure.
Passengers, desperate for a seat, tried to board the moving train even before the doors were thrown open resulting in injuries as they fell. Jostling crowd is a common sight at any railway station in India during major festivals. It is common sense that when there is a massive crowd there has to be sufficient care and anticipation on the part of the authorities.
Although there is little one can do when people scramble for an entry into the train, a system of introducing separate boarding areas and strict queues in all classes of trains cannot be overemphasized especially when major festivals like Deepavali are round the corner.
Special trains, of course, are needed to ferry travellers homes, but they are not the only answer. A dedicated railway task force has to maintain vigil around special trains during festivities.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola