Rejuvenate wells to tide over water crisis
The water crisis in Bengaluru has reached such a level that people are desperately looking for any possible source of water. Mercifully rejuvenated open wells have helped meet water demand at several places in Bengaluru. It is learnt that the rejuvenated wells provide close to one lakh litres of water a day. The wells were rejuvenated by desilting and cleaning since many of them had turned into garbage dump spots.
This success story has proven that traditional open wells are a reliable water source in times of crisis. In Goa in the past, wells have been a common feature in most of the houses. In some places residents of a ward or village built community wells which were bigger and deeper. Community well provided water to several houses. With the advent of piped water supplied by the government, many residents stopped using well water altogether. Some of the wells that still exist have become contaminated due to seepage of sewage water as a result of disuse. Various schemes have been launched by the Goa Government to protect the ground water resources and also to motivate use of well water.
The scheme provides subsidies for repairs and renovation of existing wells in the state by individuals/groups or farmers. Goans homes having wells need to take advantage of these schemes. Rejuvenating the wells can help the state tide over any probable water crisis in future.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Who is responsible people for the garbage mess?
We see people dumping garbage besides roads and this is becoming a common scene all around the State. The only people who are away from the garbage menace are those living in rural areas as they set fire to their household waste on a daily basis. While some municipalities and panchayats are doing a great job of daily garbage collection, it’s the urban and semi urban areas like Navelim who suffer the most.
Every house today is levied garbage tax but is the collection done on a daily basis ? People from cities who live in flats cannot go out and set fire to their household waste and in the end they end up dumping it somewhere.
Now the serious question is if the authorities responsible to collect garbage are not doing their work then where can the people dump their waste? The civic bodies however big or small should be directed to collect garbage from all the houses on a daily basis as this is the only way people will stop taking their garbage bags for a ride with them.
Pranay Sawant Dessai, Curchorem
Smart City officials in a tight corner
The Smart City officials were desperately trying to wash the city clean when two High Court judges Justices Mahesh Sonak and Valmiki S A Menezes were supposed to conduct an inspection on Monday of the works carrfied out under the Smart City mission which have been in the eye of storm because of pollution.
In fact, the contractors of the Smart City Project with the help of their labourers were seen hurriedly sweeping roads, cleaning them by sprinkling water from tankers since Saturday and desperately trying to spruce up Panjim city until the last minute on Monday.
Well, as far as everyone knows, both the judges are sons-of-the-soil and know the situation well.
Now that the site inspection of the Smart City work sites is done, the public pins hope on the Court to bring the issue to its logical conclusion.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Give relief to elders and pensioners
The BSNL introduced mobile network, along with others in the field, was easy, simple and economical. The sim card was valid for five years or so and the user had to pay for talk time/data usage as required. Over the period of time, sim validity got reduced to a year and now it is only 35 days.
The user is forced to pay charges to keep sim active even without utilising talk time/data. It is mandatory to indicate mobile number in aadhar card, government, bank or any other transactions so users are compelled to keep sim active. The main sufferers are the older generation who are not able to make full use of it unlike younger generation, businessmen etc. and those in service. This aspect of hardship faced by elders/pensioners has been totally overlooked. All are paying for data packs without murmur but raising concern moment price of onion/tomato shoots up. It is needed that seniors remain connected to the mobile world without taxing their limited pocket.
Bhalchandra V S Priolkar, Margao
Maritime development can boost eco growth
In hindsight, India is yet to fully realise its maritime potential. Every April 5 is observed as National Maritime day to defend, shield and preserve India’s maritime zone. For a country with a long coastline of over 7,500 km, this only reflects a lack of political will. Maritime development can act as engine of growth and development besides boosting a country’s economic growth. The “waterways trade” or the inland waterway can supplement, or even ease, the road and rail trade load.
As of now, the seaports are important cargo carriers in India. No effort should be spared in linking seaports with road and rail. The government’s plan of doubling the port capacity by 2025 is ambitious.
Similarly, the need to upgrade the existing ports should occupy its attention. There should also be important infrastructural changes at seaports. Ports should be able to embrace larger ships and must be in a position to host fresh terminals for vessel–occupancy.
Old and worn out ships must make way for new, robust ones. If the seaport capacity is enhanced, necessary changes will follow.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
GI tags testament of rich heritage
It is a matter of pride that 60 traditional products from across India, including the quintessential drink Banaras Thandai, have been granted Geographical Indication (GI). In fact, this is the first time that such a large number of products have been awarded with the GI tag at one go. This is a significant occasion towards cultural preservation of such products in the country, and it is a strategic move in attracting global recognition of India’s diverse heritage. Many may know that the first product to receive a GI tag in India was Darjeeling Tea in 2004-2005. The ripple effects of this award will likely foster greater appreciation and demand for traditional crafts, contributing to sustainable development of local communities.
The journey of GI tags in India are a testament to the country’s rich heritage and diversity as they cut across States and their cultures and communities. They also provide legal protection, enhance the value of indigenous products, and contribute to economic growth.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
