Adequate security needed in schools
A school in Velsao reportedly fell victim to burglary on Thursday, with perpetrators making off with cash and goods valued at Rs 70,000. This is the second burglary targeting a school in Mormugao talks within three days. On Sunday, burglars broke into the office of St Theresa school at Mangor in Vasco and stole one lakh. Realizing that there were CCTV cameras installed within the premises, the thieves took away the DVRs valued at Rs 30,000. It is pertinent to note that last year thefts were reported in six schools across South Goa with thieves stealing cash, CCTV and DVR system.
It must be said that after committing house-breaks, thefts at business establishments and places of worships, burglars are now targeting educational institutions. Schools and college premises are closed on Sundays and public holidays. This is when burglars strike. Educational institutions need to take corrective action to avoid such incidents. Security personnel should be present at the premises 24×7 even on Sundays and public holidays. CCTV cameras and DVR systems should be installed beyond the reach of thieves. All schools should be provided with adequate security regardless of the number of students in the school. Cash and other valuables need to be kept well secured. Schools could have alarm systems which are operational after school hours to detect any intrusion. Police need to keep vigil around school premises at night. This is vital during school vacation. Suspicious looking elements near schools need to be rounded for interrogation.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Best wishes to Goan footballers
After defeating Delhi in the quarter finals 2-1, Goa played a very interesting semi finals against Manipur by almost the same score in a similar way. Goa played a very aggressive football and even almost scored a goal but missed narrowly. That was a golden chance to take the lead in the initial stage. Most of the possession of the ball was with Goa but it was Manipur who broke the deadlock to take the lead in the 17th minute. The first half was over and the second was over too injury time of eight minutes was going on.
In the sixth minute of 8 minutes injury time, Necio Fernandes acrobatically back volleyed the ball into the nets to equalise. During the extra time everybody was anxiously waiting to know what will happen in the extra time. Someone will score or will get to see a tie-breaker. The first half of the extra time was over and second half was about to get over only four minutes were left and that very moment Necio Fernandes again managed to score and send Goa in the Finals of 77th Nationals Football Championship for Santosh Trophy after seven long years.
GFA President Caitano Fernandes announced the bonus of Rs three lakhs then and there only. Goan boys played very good football throughout the tournament especially Joebern Cardoz, Lloyd Cardoz and Necio Fernandes. Hope all of them continue to play the same way and bring Santosh Trophy to Goa. Good Luck to them.
Simultaneously our Goan girl Pearl Fernandes is sparkling and shining in the SAFF under 16 women’s Football Championship by scoring in each and every match the only Goan in the team played. Goans pray for Pearl Fernandes to shine and sparkle more and more and bring SAFF Championship to India and Charles and Severino’s boys to get Santosh Trophy to Goa after a very long period. All the best to you all.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
True happiness is found in small moments
We often wonder what life is all about. Most of us are always on the move, striving to achieve the next thing in life—whether it be a job, financial status, or something else—thus, not fully living in the present. Until we realize that everything is finite, including life! While it’s great to have ambitions and set specific goals, it’s equally, and most importantly, vital that we relax and enjoy each moment, cherishing it. One day, we might achieve everything we desire, only to realize that true happiness was found in those small moments. Hence, life is for the living; spend it with family, friends, and help the needy whenever you can. That’s all.
Elroy Francisco Lopes, Chinchinim
Nightmarish experience for air passengers
In the last two years, everyone in two flyers in India had experienced either their luggages having got lost or damaged as per survey conducted by LocalCircles, India’s leading community social media platform. Not only in India, but throughout the world air-passengers getting separated from their luggages has become a routine affair, which is a nightmarish experience.
Mishandling during transfer is one of the major reasons why luggage may be delayed or lost. Other human errors, such as incorrect tagging or loading can also result in loss of luggages. Passengers lose control over what happens to their luggage once they check in at the airport. While it almost always arrives on the conveyor belt at the other end, we can never be totally sure until it actually arrives.
In the vast expanse of the Indian aviation landscape, passengers can no longer be treated as mere travellers, but as individuals whose rights must be protected by aviation regulations, including those laid out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Improved professionalism can elevate aviation’s reputation by earning the confidence, trust and support of the passengers.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Don’t let the dogs out, till survey is completed?
Last year on the World Rabies Day, Goa’s Chief Minister had declared that breeds of dogs that are aggressive and attack people would be banned, while the Director of Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (DAHVS) stated (O Heraldo March 5) that dogs cannot be banned unless their census and breeds are considered.
He admits that 11 dangerous breeds are banned in some States but unless the DAHVS identifies the other breeds out of the total population in Goa only then these could be declared dangerous. He added that the annual Integrated Sample Survey (ISS) would be undertaken after July and the breed type would be included which was never done before, as it requires permission! There is no mention from whom or which department or ministry the permission has to be sought. Finally, the Centre’s consent has been asked to allow Goa to have sub-categories for dogs.
After the above long-winding processes are completed, only then the DAHVS would mandate registration and place restrictions on certain breeds. Does this mean that until then the citizens have to grin while the dangerous breeds bare their fangs? Firstly, the government should ban the nationally forbidden 11 breeds by notifying in newspapers and social media and ask the owners to handover their pets to DAHVS within a stipulated time period. Secondly, once the ISS is completed, the other vicious breeds (if any) could be added to the list of banned dogs. Why wait till more incidents of dog attacks occur in Goa?
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
