Low voter turnout is a cause of concern
The subdued voter response in the first two phases of the on-going Parliament election raises several questions about the underlying reasons for their indifference. Pending final figures from the Election Commission, the available data for the first two phases indicate a dip from the 2019 polls.
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Experts have cited reasons from high temperatures, lack of faith in electoral procedures to scepticism towards nominees/parties. A more substantial factor contributing to voter indifference lies in the prevailing disillusionment with governance.
Citizens, disappointed by unfulfilled promises, religious intolerance, rampant corruption and inefficient administration often perceive their votes as NOTA or inconsequential. In many centres, tents covering the polling booths to provide relief to people from scorching heat and adequate drinking water arrangements were not provided as per visuals on TV, despite ECI mentioning the same.
ECI, political parties, and civil society need to take immediate urgent steps to ensure higher turnout in the remaining five phases which will witness extensive campaigns and high decibel sound by political parties and its supporters.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Constitutional provisions being openly flouted
The elections for the Lok Sabha seats are becoming fast and furious with truth the biggest casualty! The EC takes no or selective action against absolute communal and religious polarization openly canvassed with large crowds and the courts keep looking on blatant disregard of law and Constitutional provisions openly flouted! What is amazing is the ruling party charging the Opposition of disrupting unity in diversity, communalization and using religion for votes , whilst they profess unity, sab ke saath etc.
The Prime Minister leads the charge and all ruling party members dutifully follow this charade! Our CM states that the BJP is a secular party and only the supreme leader Modi can make Bharat a land of milk and honey with strong democracy, Ram Raj and so on.
A democracy requires a strong Opposition which the ruling party is using every means to destroy! The only guarantee the people need now is that equitable justice, law and order prevails and our Constitution will be followed in word and spirit!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Need for budget increase for R&D
India has the third- or fourth-largest budget for defence research and development (counting space and atomic energy as part of defence). Indian military experts say the country already possesses a robust air defence mechanism and is in the process of indigenising it completely.
With the twin objective of promoting self-reliance and exports, the Defence Budget has touched Rs 6.21 lakh crore in the Financial Year 2024-25.
This comes out to be 13.04% of the total Union Budget. The Cabinet Committee approved several major defence deals, worth over Rs 92,000 crore, to bolster the combat capabilities of the armed forces.
The panel, examining the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) functionality, highlighted a stark insufficiency in the current budget allocation.
Expressing concern over the dwindling allocation from 6.59% in 2010-11 to the current 5.38%, the committee stressed the need for a robust budget increase to 8-10% for R&D.
India faces pressing threats on its northern and western borders, necessitating meticulous evaluation of future war strategies. Despite being the third-largest military spender globally, India’s defence R&D expenditure lags, with a mere 0.7% of GDP allocated. The defence budget remains a critical barometer of India’s security policies.
Newton Mendonca, Aldona
Broken relationships difficult to mend
This has reference to the article ‘ Trust is the foundation of any relationship’ (O Heraldo May 3, 2024).
That was an interesting Editorial on a very important topic, that of relationships whether it is in the family or outside. Ibonio presents a good insight into the subject. Yes, it’s true that Trust is the foundation of any relationship. This is what we need to understand, especially people entering into matrimony. And then, as things progress, we find our wants growing.
One may complain of lack of space in the home. We need to ask ourselves, what is more important in a home, is it the space or is it the relationships? Space can always be created but relationships once broken are very difficult to mend.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
