Human lives cannot be lost in reckless accidents
It is horrifying and ever so distressing that precious human lives in Goa, which is India’s smallest State, continue to be snuffed out on a daily basis, due to road accidents across the State.
The government needs to take a holistic view on this very alarming issue and do everything possible. One way would be to make the issue of driving licenses extremely meticulous and stringent.
Regardless of all the efforts by the government, unless each one of us, as responsible citizens, try to do our bit by careful, defensive driving, in the full knowledge that any violations will be met with the full force of the law who will exercise zero tolerance, then innocent people will continue to mercilessly die on the streets.
The road accident scene in Goa is so very scary and a matter of great concern. Let us not reach a stage where we must frantically pray in the morning, thanking God for giving us another day and at night thanking God for having kept us alive during the day on our accident-prone roads. Road Safety must always be of paramount importance to save precious lives. It must be a way of life not just another slogan!
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Make Goa a safe destination
It’s extremely shocking to learn about another fatal accident at Arpora last week. Unfortunately, three tourists were killed when a speeding car rammed into them which was allegedly driven by a Russian tourist. Sadly, it’s such a great loss to their families who might have been waiting joyfully for their safe return. However, the concerned driver should be held for ‘irresponsible driving’ and jeopardizing innocent lives. In addition, strict action should be implemented upon such type of drastic acts, even to the extent of cancellation of the license, as it’s impacting the lives of general public.
Moreover, Goa’s image as a tourist destination is getting tarnished across the globe, adding a layer of complexity to the tourism industry. Furthermore, the Goan ‘killer’ roads have created a type of indirect ‘fear psychosis’ in the minds of people to venture on it, even though they might be following strict traffic rules.
Eventually, accidents on Goan roads have been increasing by leaps and bounds, with strict preventive measures being the need of the hour, especially by the riders/drivers and the Goa Police Traffic Cell.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
Zero tolerance towards sewage discharge
It is learnt that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued notices to around 43 commercial units in Colva including hotels and restaurants to take connections to the Colva Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The owners of the establishments have also been asked to submit compliance reports within seven days. Surprisingly the government-owned Tourism Residency has also been issued the notice. Incidentally there has been a continuous discharge of sewage into the Colva creek allegedly from the commercial establishment near the beach.
It would have been in the fitness of things for these commercial units to apply for connection to the treatment plant when the Colva STP was ready for commissioning in all respects. It must be said that letting out sewage into the water bodies can lead to a health hazard for the locals. There should be zero tolerance towards discharging sewage into the water bodies. Those commercial establishments doing so, even when there is provision for connecting to the STP, should be dealt with seriously, even to the extent of cancelling their commercial license.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Inventories do not establish land title
Kudos to O Heraldo editorial on ‘Is sluice gates corruption killing farming?’ (O Heraldo December 2, 2013). Will our Revenue Minister understand the suffering of farmers, mundkars and agricultural tenants? Inventories do not establish title but yet the Mamlatdars carryout mutation on fraudulent inventory or succession orders…I am fighting two cases one on fraudulent succession carried out in Quepem Sub Registrar and the inventory in Mapusa .
Antonio Jose D’Souza, Calangute
Rape has to be tackled head-on
Statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that Goa has the highest rate of minor children being raped .The State recorded 75 rape cases in 2022 of which 57 victims were minor girls below the age of 18. Two survivors were below 6 years of age while 12 were between 6 to 12 years. The data shows that sexual assault of minor girls constitutes 76% of the total cases reported. Goa is also topping the charts as far as cybercrime committed against women is concerned, mainly in terms of pornography and duping.
Most crimes against women are non-bailable only on paper. To mitigate matters, all rape offences must strictly be listed under ‘non-bailable’ category. Further the death penalty should be awarded and executed immediately in case of guilt proven beyond reasonable doubt. Rapists should also not have recourse to further courts of appeal or the Supreme Court, as it is the judicial system is creaking under the backlog of 5 crore cases. Most often rape litigation is a long drawn out process with the accused more often than not going scot free owing to some lacunae in the laws. Also powerful, well connected perpetrators threaten into silence the victim’s family who fear retribution from the accused or his friends/family. It is time to walk the talk.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Inclusive democracy: Voters must vote
The report, ‘Your ability to vote counts…’ (O Heraldo December 5, 2023), was an interesting news item – where a rally to educate the differently abled on the importance of their participation in the electoral system was organised. Yes, ‘Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people.’ It is important and imperative therefore, that all eligible citizens, whether in good physical condition or physically challenged are part of the system.
While it was good that such a rally for enrolment in the electoral system was organized in Panjim, for the differently abled, the others ought to take a cue from there and understand their own responsibility in the democratic system. Apparently, it seems like a large number of citizens have become disappointed and disillusioned with the state of affairs in our country. But they must overcome this situation and come into the mainstream. The Election Commission on their part must instil confidence in the citizens of the country that every single vote is precious and important and that every vote counts in a Democracy.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
