Is our Planet Earth burning?
Cutting hills, mountains, and destroying jungles, in the name of development has really damaged the earth and most scientific name we give is global warming
But indirectly those who are holding high position to be blamed. Wars, natural disaster have created destruction and chaos on our planet earth. Our beautiful planet earth is facing earthquakes, tsunami, floods, and most horrifying scenarios the wars. Save planet earth and most important thing save mother earth.
Anita Fernandes, Verna
Cutting trees will cut our life span
Trees take several decades to grow. It barely takes a couple of hours to bring these majestic creations of the Almighty God to the ground by those in power. Citizens of Panaji had to take to the streets on Friday to protect an 80-year old tree and other younger trees which according to the Smart Team are “impediments to the project’s advancement”. Both development and saving the environment should co-exist. There have been instances in other countries wherein roads have been diverted in order to save the trees. It is learnt that the authorities concerned have secured all necessary permission for cutting down these age-old trees. It is not a stand-off between the citizens and the authorities.
It is all about saving these trees. If not, future generations will not forgive us for converting Panaji city into a semi-arid region. It is learnt that the Forest Department has given authorization for the removal of a rain tree and translocation of a banyan tree. Translocation of the massive banyan tree is not an easy task.
It’s not just about relocating a fully grown tree to another spot. The tree has to survive. For this the service of experts is necessary which can be obtained from other states. Trees are systematically butchered not only in Panaji but across the state ostensibly for road widening. By cutting down trees we are cutting down on our life-span and digging our own graves in the long run.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Erring TTEs should be shown the door
There have been frequent incidents of misdemeanor by traveling ticket examiners (TTEs) on trains much to the common man’s disgust and dismay. Not that the unsavoury incidents that have taken place are alien to a regular train commuter. But they reveal the sad state of affairs governing the Indian Railways. Recently, one TTE is said to have pushed a woman with a general ticket, who boarded the AC coach of Jhelum express at Faridabad, out of the train only to grievously injure her. This despite the woman pleading with the TTE to show restraint and that she would pay the fare difference.
The incidence of a TTE urinating on a woman passenger’s head last year still rankles. Due to the advent of smartphones and social media, such shameless happenings are coming to the fore. Even considering the fact that the presence of ticketless passengers in AC coaches has become the order of the day, erring TTEs need to swiftly apprehended and shown the door. Either the “Faridabad fame” TTE was high on alcohol or has a definite anger issue. Would the TTE have heaped a similar misery upon a ticketless male passenger? At any rate, everyone has the right to life, and a ticketless commuter is no exception.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Dr Manmohan Singh is a statesman par excellence!
It is with an ache in the heart we received the news that the yeoman services rendered by Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister as a parliamentarian will not be available to the country henceforth. The country has experienced the remarkable services rendered by this world -renowned statesman cum economist as a member of the Rajya Sabha in the last 33 years. The pivotal role played by him together with PV Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister in boldly announcing liberalisation of Indian economy cannot be easily forgotten. It is an undeniable truth that their then decision to liberalise economy is mainly responsible for the height and level of development India is enjoying today.
The policies framed by him as the Governor of Reserve Bank of India and the excellent guidance his successors continued to receive from him, helped Indian currency to withstand the onslaught of the Asian Asian Currency crisis and stand firm totally insulated, contrary to the much -adored Singapore Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit and Thai Bhat, all of which went for a toss and took a lot of time to regain their old stature.
Singh goes into history as a reformer of economic policies, an intellect endowed with humility of the first order, an unassuming leader who delivered and one who was revered and looked to for advice, by all world leaders including Barack Obama, former American President, who admitted this fact openly.
As a statesman par excellence, Dr Singh richly deserves to be honoured with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian decoration of the country.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Strive towards an equitable, just society
In our society, there exists a dichotomy between our professed adherence to traditional values and the perpetuation of customs that can be harmful. For instance, while we celebrate concepts like ‘sanskari’ living and moral rectitude, we also grapple with practices such as forcefully arranged marriages, which have, over time, given rise to issues like the dowry system and domestic abuse, resulting in significant hardships for many women.
Furthermore, the pervasive veil of sexual repression casts a shadow over daily life, making even routine activities, like a woman walking in public, fraught with danger — particularly in urban environments where safety is compromised amidst pollution and urban decay. Equally concerning is the manner in which young men are often sheltered from responsibilities within familial structures, leading to their unpreparedness for independence and rushed marriages orchestrated by anxious parents.
Regrettably, these unions frequently lack provisions for individual autonomy, especially for women. Scrutinizing the dynamics of marriage reveals a troubling reality: the objectification of both genders. Potential matches are often assessed superficially, based on arbitrary criteria like height, appearance, and financial status, undermining the values we hold dear as a society.
These contradictions permeate familial relationships as well, where apparent unity often belies underlying tensions and conflicts—particularly in matters concerning inheritance. Such tensions tend to escalate post-marriage, revealing deeper resentments and jealousy. In light of these complexities, it is imperative for us to engage in introspection and advocacy for meaningful reforms.
Floyd D’Silva, Margao
Protect tribal rights
In the vibrant tapestry of India’s cultural heritage, there exists a poignant chapter that often goes unnoticed – the plight of vulnerable tribal groups. These marginalised communities, scattered across remote and inaccessible regions of the country, endure a lot of challenges that threaten their lives. Their struggle for recognition, rights and a dignified livelihood demands our attention and collective action. Tribals in India are an integrated part of the nation. They consist of around 8% of the total population of the country. Tribals do face a number of challenges like, exploitation of their natural resources, forced displacement, higher rates of diseases, etc. Despite well over seven decades since India’s independence, this marginalised community is subjected to severe brutalities coupled with economic quandary.
However, by implementing various welfare measures towards empowering this community and promoting a comprehensive approach to tribal welfare, India can work towards protecting the rights and preserving the rich cultural heritage of its tribal communities.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
