Impose 4-month ban on waterfall trails
The Goa government has announced a temporary ban on waterfall trails and trekking activities in the State as a precautionary measure till the rain subsides after around 150 people were reportedly stranded near a waterfall in Pali-Sattari and had to be rescued.
Well, it has indeed become a fashion for many people (especially youngsters and domestic tourists) to go for sightseeing/picnics in groups to have bath/trekking activities near waterfalls during the monsoons in the name of exploring nature carrying alcohol bottles and to misbehave and take selfies at such dangerous places.
I feel that the government should not impose a temporary, but a strict four months ban with a hefty fine during the monsoons to stop people from heading towards waterfalls for picnics.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Modi’s Russia visit
Although Russia is an old ally of India, the recent war with Ukraine raises serious questions about Modi supporting Russia and Putin, when thousands of innocent people are being killed and left homeless for no fault of theirs. We are not living in medieval times when kings used to attack neighbouring kingdoms to expand their territory.
A similar situation prevails in Manipur where people are being killed and left homeless and our Prime Minister is happy to visit foreign countries and visit leaders who have been banned by the majority of the world’s countries.
The only thing that I can say is that ‘birds of the same feathers flock together’.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Replace damaged sewage lines
Flooding of roads not only causes inconvenience to road users and pedestrians, but more dangerously, it can lead to health issues even resulting in an epidemic. This is because of the mixing of the rainwater with the sewage due to seepage in the underground pipeline leading to overflowing of the sewage onto the roads.
It is learnt that at Patto Plaza, which has many business offices, filth and other waste flowed on the roads during the incessant rains in the past two days. At Mala in Panjim, raw sewage has reportedly continued to flow onto the road through manholes making the lives of the local residents miserable. Things are not much different in Margao. Seepage of rainwater into underground sewage lines has reportedly returned to haunt citizens in the town. Even the pavement outside the Margao Municipal building has not been spared with overflowing water mixed with sewage causing the area to stink. When pedestrians wade through ankle-deep water on the roads they could be walking in water mixed with sewage which can cause skin infection, spread diarrhoea, dysentery, and other water-borne diseases, leading to an epidemic. This has been a perennial problem in various towns across Goa for a long time. The only solution is to replace the underground sewage line to prevent seepage of rainwater.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Use of Konkani in both scripts a must
The Navelim Panchayat needs to be congratulated for being the first local body to unanimously support the demand for granting equal status for Konkani in Roman script at its gram sabha.
The members supported the demand to file a petition before the Commissioner of Linguistics Minorities Commission, New Delhi, to give justice for Konkani in Roman script like Devanagari. All other panchayats in Goa should take this as a lesson and follow the Navelim Panchayat’s example to stop the injustice done to Konkani in Roman script by our successive governments over the years. Goans are not against Devanagari script, but Devanagari script lovers seem to be against Roman script for the reasons known to them.
Now, Goans should unite and use Konkani in both scripts to ensure both scripts get equal status.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Encourage football in India
Cricket, no doubt is a religion in India, and the fever and fervour cricket lovers get from the game, is just astounding. The mass victory parade in Mumbai for our T20 World Champions stands a testimony to this.
The BCCI has done its level best all these years and their efforts to mould a strong team with excellent players finally paid off.
Now, when it comes to football, though we have millions of fans and clubs and hundreds of tournaments conducted, why are we not able to qualify for major world championships? India did have a golden period in the game way back in the 1950s and 60s. Indian teams participated in the Olympics during this period and India’s best appearance was at the 1956 Summer Olympics where its team reached the semi-finals, something the new generation may find hard to believe! We also have been champions many times in the Asian region.
Are Indian football fans destined only to watch FIFA World Cup, Copa America, Euro and other tournaments mouth drooling and supporting foreign nations rather than India? Aren’t we yearning too to see our team – very much made in India- making its way into world class tournaments and making us proud! Can’t we create a team with eleven players from a nation of 140 crore citizens?
When Croatia and Morocco, with a population that matches less than the population of any Indian State, are able to produce world class players, then why can’t we? The answer is with us. Give importance to football too. The passion for football can be seen only in Kerala, Bengal, Goa and the North East. Football should be made a ‘pan Indian passion’. The board that controls football should be completely revamped without political interference, and made very active and energetic like the BCCI.
A complete football ecosystem starting from schools and colleges can help spot very good players who should be given a chance at the district and State levels, and finally in the national team. Like the IPL of cricket, the ISL should provide opportunities for our youth to showcase their talent.
State federations should be strengthened. Football should be brought to the grassroots level. Developing basic infrastructure like more academies, recruiting more coaches and timely scheduled league tournaments can help improve the football aura.
M Pradyu, Kannur
