Goa, a coal hub in the making
Goa becoming a coal hub in the immediate future is here for all to see and one does require rocket science to ascertain the facts and see the ground reality.
Goa is witnessing the double tracking of railway lines, dredging the harbour channel to facilitate the entry of Capesize vessels, building/broadening of roads and construction of new bridges to ease the carriage of coal by road, rail and sea.
For people unfamiliar with marine terminology, Capesize vessels are huge bulk carriers, when fully loaded, have a draft 16 to 18 mtrs and cargo carrying capacity of 150,000MT to 200,000MT DWT, which the present MPA Port channel cannot facilitate and so the dredging.
The reason for dredging given is to facilitate the entry of cruise liners, which is a blatant lie, as passenger ships do not require deep drafts, otherwise, how come cruise ships are navigating the channel at present?
Capesize vessels are called so as their drafts and size do not allow them to use the Suez and Panama canals so they have take a longer detour via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa or Cape Horn in S America.
The vessels presently coming to Goa maybe bringing the coal from Indonesia and Australia, but Richards Bay and Mozambique in Africa
Colombia and Venezuela in America besides some European countries, could also be the market for import of coal. This will add to the miseries of Goans, who have suffered enough from this coal pollution, and instead of reducing/stopping it, they are increasing it even after strong protests by the public.
Lucas D’Souza, Verna
Disqualified, but not disgraced
This refers to news report appearing in O Heraldo edition dated August 8 ‘Just 100 grams shatters the weight of Vinesh’s expectations’. The last-minute disqualification of female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has come as a rude shock to her and the whole nation.
The development is extremely unfortunate, given the hard work she had put in to create history. The whole nation saw her rise to Olympic glory with much admiration. The result would have been somewhat different had she competed in the 53 kg category, which had competed previously instead of 50 kg. Fellow female wrestler Antim Panghal was chosen in the 53 kg category which she lost in round 16 of the game.
However, Phogat can still hold her head high in contrast to Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson’s fall from grace story at Seoul Olympics after failing a dope test.
Those crying hoarse over Phogat’s disqualification need to stop giving illogical theories as the Olympics have fixed rules that need to be followed.
Our politicians need to understand that international games are not a platform to drag petty politics into. Phogat’s loss is a loss for India, and we need to keep the wrestling federation politics out of it.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Vinesh deserves a silver medal
Just 100 gms came between India’s Vinesh Phogat and a possible gold medal in the 50 kgs wrestling category of the Olympics.
The previous morning, Vinesh weighed-in at under 50 kg and went on to win the semi finals defeating the unbeatable Japanese world champion along the way. Unfortunately, on the morning of the finals, she weighed 100 gms over the stipulated 50 kg.
Rules are rules and must be strictly adhered to. However, Vinesh had won her previous bouts up to the semi-finals with legal 50 kg weight. She failed the weight test only for the final bout. Hence, she should be awarded the silver medal. This is not a case of doping where a complete ban on the athlete comes into play.
The ban must be applied only for the final bout, which is forfeited and hence, a silver is justified.
Robert Castellino, Mumbai
Old is not always gold
The recent saga in Bangladesh should act as an eye-opener for any despot trying to cling on to office after losing the trust of the people.
We have also seen this in some other countries in recent years.
It is high time that there are worthy checks in place to ensure that in every democracy, those aspiring to hold governmental positions of power should be in compliant with certain fundamentals: absolutely humble, people caring, medically fit and mentally sound.
And of course, the other parameters could be a reasonable level of education, the highest level of integrity, with no criminal record and a proven track record of being extremely people-centric with a strong desire to deliver for the common good.
It may be time for a mandatory retirement age for politicians making room for an infusion of fresh blood to steer the wheels of good, clean and people-friendly corruption-free governance.
Leaders who lose people’s faith and confidence should not hold on to office.
And till there is governmental regulation mandating all this, there should be a consensus within all the political parties to liven and sanitise the political turf across the world and especially in the developing countries.
People in public life are taken care of by the public exchequer so it is incumbent that the people get the best and brightest to hold any public office.
Aires Rodrigues, London
Citizens should have access to sports grounds
Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar, on Wednesday, pointed out that Tilak Maidan was used for only 30 out of 365 days in a year. In response, Sports Minister Govind Gaude said that the ground will be kept open for the public from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm, subject to compliance of certain conditions, which is inadequate.
In the past, this ground was open to the public throughout the year. The port town hardly has any open space for the citizens to carry out daily exercises like walking and jogging. The only other open space nearby is the joggers park at Chicalim.
Senior citizens from Vasco cannot be expected to go to Chicalim, for their daily dose of exercise. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health and mobility, allowing seniors to enjoy a higher quality of life. When government creates infrastructure like playgrounds, it should not be only for the use of sportspersons and athletes, but for the public as well. Various grounds across the State should be kept open during daytime for citizens. The youth should be able to make use of the grounds which will keep them away from various vices including misuse of mobiles.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
