In unity there is strength
Nothing can be dearer to the nation’s citizens than its unity, integrity and security.
People united can lead to a harmonious blend of peace and tranquillity. An eclectic boost to a country's economic fortunes can also be a reality through unity. Unity is in itself a power because it brings a host of nation-preserving qualities with it.
These lead to other nation-building endeavours. Individually we are a drop, but together we are a nation. The splendid “unity in diversity of the country” slogan says it all.
The slogan essentially means cultural, social, religious, linguistic, physical and ideological differences cannot act as obstacles in fostering a country’s unity.
Unity in diversity, ultimately, leads to peace because peace is conciliation of differences. That is why it is said when a country is ravaged by terror, buildings may crush, people may die, but it is the indomitable trust and faith of the people in one another that lift a country from the ravines.
Top leaders know that as much as there is unity in diversity, there is diversity in unity. National Unity Day or Rastriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. On this occasion, it is time to take the pledge that we won’t let our unity in diversity get diluted by external forces.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Negative impacts of fireworks
Mother Nature is so unique that we sometimes fail to understand its phenomena. A very simple rule if we follow, our life would be so much better than the environment that what we are living in, the basic rule that we need to understand is that we shouldn’t interfere with nature.
The main root cause of destruction is human greed and negligence that impacts and is actually a threat to our lives, what nature didn't conceive is not meant to be a part of the eco system because it interferes and destroys the cycle of continuity of nature.
We humans have always been the elements that have destroyed the environment by deforestation, dumping of plastic in the water bodies which are our life lines and the worst is concretising the ground that increases global warming by not allowing the rain water to soak the soil that is supposed to cool the temperature of the air acting as a natural heatsink.
It’s become a trend for us to celebrate weddings, parties and festivals by burning fireworks that actually has a very bad impact on every living being and of course the environment. If we rectify with a broader view of this destructive habit, I’m sure nobody will disagree that we are just burning money that doesn't feed us, but in return it actually has so many negative impacts on the living beings that we don’t know of.
Studies say that when we burn fireworks, honey bees get disoriented and never return back to their hives, birds have panic attacks at night and die, wild animals raising cubs abandon their dens in fear, fish and other animals perish after ingesting fireworks debris, companion animals have anxiety and panic attacks, dogs get frightened and run and end up getting lost, last but not the least humans have post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the loud and sudden noise that frighten and scare some of us.
It’s our time to understand and obey nature because in the end Nature doesn't need us, we need nature. So let’s take care of it so that it can take care of us.
Savio D'Costa, Chandor
Prevent overcrowding at railway stations
On Sunday there was a stampede reported at Bandra railway station, injuring 10 passengers and 2 critical condition. The same happened due to overcrowded passengers at the station to board train to Gorakhpur Antodaya express for upcoming festival Diwali and Chat Puja.
The crowd was beyond control and many tried board running train while the train was approaching platform. The incident has opened eyes of railway to introduce more train in festive seasons so as to accommodate the passengers and demand for the same.
Just like Konkan railway runs extra trains during Ganesh festival, same should be for other festivals as many travel to their native place for festival.
After this incident, the Bandra railway station allowed only those having valid ticket to enter platform so as to control the crowd. The same should be strictly followed as many members come to just say goodbye to one or two relatives who travel.
It’s important to have such security to avoid overcrowding and unfortunate incidents. In Goa also at Margao and Vasco da Gama railway stations, we can see crowd in previous night of travel and sleep outside the station so as to get current ticket from the counter and board moving train in unreserved compartment, bogie to catch the seats. Such situation should be avoided to prevent the mishaps and incidents.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco