Restore previous progs on Akashvani
I would like to voice my protest against the All India Radio now christened as Akashvanni for their adamant attitude over the cancellation of all the requests programs both in Konkani and English.
We have already entered into the Advent season and are missing the usual Christmas Carols and other entertainment programs.
One should remember that music and entertainment runs in the blood of Goans. Goa is different from other States. Government organises IFFI, and many more programs of entertainment in Goa. Why only Radio listeners are forced to hear the news and ‘charchas’ throughout day and night? Hence we kindly request the Station Director to kindly restore our earlier programs immediately. If at all you want to give us news, views and other discussions please give it on Madei Channel and let music and entertainment programs on FM Channel as done earlier.”
Jude Pires, Merces
Replace old Balrath buses immediately
22 students were injured, four of them sustaining head injuries, after a Balrath bus carrying them veered off the road and landed in a trench before turning turtle on Thursday morning near Bali when on its way to Cuncolim.
The driver claimed that the steering wheel of the bus got locked which resulted in the accident. A claim that needs to be verified by carrying out a thorough investigation. If the bus had to fall into a deep gorge or into the river bed after breaking the railing, the consequences would have been disastrous. The Government Goa has provided the Balrath buses to aided High Schools, Higher Secondary Schools and Special Schools through a special scheme in order to facilitate the school children and to have good quality education without any transportation hardships. The largest number of students in government-aided schools travel by these buses. The maintenance of the buses has left a lot to be desired. These buses suffer breakdowns on a regular basis. Recently parents of students studying in different schools in Pernem taluka as well as the teachers had demanded to replace these vehicles. Many-a-times the buses are overloaded with students. These buses are twelve years old and need to be scrapped. When the government is acquiring electric buses for public transport, why not replace the old Bal Rath buses also, many of which are probably not road worthy.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Maintenance of Balrath buses
The Balrath vehicle carrying 34 school children and veering off the road and injuring many students is really shocking.
The driver has claimed that he lost control of the vehicle as the steering got locked. Looks like the vehicle was not maintained by the school management. The Balrath buses are meant for school students and grants are given for the maintenance of these vehicles.
It’s important to see that buses are in good condition. It’s god’s grace that nothing serious has happened to children but the same cannot be ignored at this juncture and should be an eye opener. The government has ordered an enquiry into the incident but it’s the duty of school management to repair and maintain these buses.
Hence it’s time to take all possible steps to avert such incidents and take precautionary measures to improve the service.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Stop playing with lives of students
It is sad to hear the news about the Balrath school bus accident at Balli, Cuncolim in which many school children were injured.
These buses are provided by the government to render door-to-door service so that children can travel safely to school and back home. Very often, the vehicles are not maintained on timely basis thus putting the lives of the little ones at risk.
The school management and the drivers should not play with the lives of children. Even the Kadamba buses are poorly maintained and old antiquated vehicles should be scrapped.
The authorities should conduct a thorough probe into the matter and solve the issue for the safety of public.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Taylor Swift’s peak super stardom
Taylor Swift’s cup of glory is overflowing with the champagne stuff that she merited so deservedly with her marathon performance of the Eras Tour which broke several records and that has already capped her year as the rare and very prestigious Time Magazine, which is a rare international US magazine which is still in print, has made her the Person of the Year, a massive recognition in their issue due on 11th December. She is also celebrating her 34th birthday anniversary on 13th December and more awaits her at the Grammy Awards next year. Taylor Swift has never had it so good and for this recognition by Time magazine, she has beaten the fancied Barbie, King Charles III and Sam Altman of Open AI fame to win the hearts and minds of the world. For the Grammy’s next year in February, it seems as though the exhausted and rooting for the Anti-Hero (a song for which she is the first to be nominated a seventh time beating Lionel Ritchie and Sir Paul McCartney who have 6 nominations each) she seems destined to become the No. 1 in music hierarchy.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Rape victims must be given justice
The NCRB data shows that Goa has gained a dubious distinction of having the highest rate of rape cases against minors in 2022. Due to increase in the number of paedophiles, such crimes are increasing. The increasing number of rape cases in state daily put a question on the safety of women.
The government isn’t effective in enforcing laws that are meant to protect women and minors, they often become just slogans.
The low conviction rate and flaws in countries judicial systems are giving way to vigilante justice. It is the need of the hour for a quicker implementation of the laws for dispensing justice to the victims. Law needs to be effective and the investigating agency and protection more proficient and efficient. Firstly, genuine reform isn’t on the government’s priority list. The Union Government should mull castration as a punishment for those who rape children in order to deter sexual assaults on minors. Considering the trauma and lifelong humiliation the victim goes through, such punishment would be deterrent.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Training sportspersons for global events
One must laud the Karnataka government for its initiative to pick and train 75 sports persons from the State for the Paris Olympics. The scheme aims to find and assist talented athletes who can excel in international competitions. The State government taking steps to refund tuition fees for national and international achievers is a positive move. Ultimately, the goal is to produce world-class athletes.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
