Clogged toilets
in A-I flight
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This is in reference to the news report ‘Clogged toilets force A-I flight to return to Chicago’ appearing in O Heraldo edition dated March 12, 2025.
How much more bizarre can it get, clogged toilets forcing an Air India Delhi-bound flight to turn back to Chicago after being airborne for more than 10 hours.
According to the report, polythene bags, rags and clothes have been flushed down the toilets. How could anybody do such a thing?
Possibly they may be used to doing such things back home as well. So it seems like our air travellers have a lot of wealth, but their brains are clogged.
How else does one explain such acts on their part? This is certainly unpardonable, unacceptable behaviour. Will the flight attendants now have to monitor and check each passenger visiting the toilet to check what he or she takes into the toilet? Do they understand only the language of the whip? Disgusting scenario indeed!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Web of black magic
The recent murder of a five-year-old child at Usgao with the accused confessing to sacrificing the child based on the advice of an occult practitioner reveals an alarming number of websites openly offering black magic and Vashikaran services in Goa.
People are vulnerable and fall for this disgusting scam. This is because these people are greedy and think the so-called babas would suggest to them some shortcut to success.
In an era of technological advancement and scientific progress, many people still resort to black magic and believe in superstitions. Strictly avoid believing in black magic which is not scientifically proved. Even some families have ruined their life due to such disgusting beliefs. The person who is practicing black magic will eventually receive it back a hundred fold. This is the law of karma. Unless there is a change in
people’s mindset, these practices would continue. If the executive is serious about curbing such practices, implementation and enforcement of laws need to be made more effective.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Free trade regime-
The best way forward
Is it possible that leaders of the world will resort to logic and reason to tame high inflation, cost of living and tension by bilaterally and multilaterally resorting to stopping of wars in a fair and equitable manner, lifting sanctions and easing tariffs to allow the world to enter a new phase of freer trading which will benefit the world?
Ideally, a global free trade regime would be the best way forward. Countries like the United States, China, the European Union, Russia, Canada, India and Mexico should resort to intense dialogue to sort out the issue of tariffs and customs duty so that prices of manufactured goods, services will considerably
reduce.
For example, the United States could buy cheaper Chinese steel and manufacture goods that would be competitive even to export to China making use of its better technology that would make it possible to sell US goods which would be attractive as far as quality and with a greater technological edge. Also, tensions should be reined in with Iran with respect to its nuclear programme so as to reduce the chances of a conflict which could spell division and doom for the world.
World leaders should transform into men and women of goodwill to lead to a world wherein each and every soul is provided for adequately.
Elected representatives are bound to protect those who elect them. With mutual agreement, all problems can be resolved.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Congrats Team India
Team India has secured the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, beating New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai. This is the third time they have won the competition. The entire Indian team performed well to take the title home.
Skipper Rohit Sharma played a crucial role, scoring 76 runs to guide his team to the title. However, the spin department of India was on top.
New Zealand also deserves recognition for their impressive performances throughout this tournament, particularly in the semi-finals against South Africa, where they secured a 50-run victory. Other teams can draw valuable lessons from these two sides and work on improving their weaknesses to come back stronger in future competitions.
India’s spectacular victory in the Champions Trophy is a testament to the team’s disciplined performance, strategic gameplay and sportsmanship. Their victory is a testament to the team’s disciplined performance, strategic gameplay and sportsmanship.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Meagre women judges
International Women’s Day was “celebrated” with pomp on March 8. Reams were written about representation of women in different walks of life.
Incidentally, March 10 was International Day of Women Judges.
A study by the Centre for Law and Policy Research has said that traditionally 3.95 percent of judges at the Supreme Court of India were women. Currently, 2 of the 32 judges are women. Very interestingly, since 2021, 28 Supreme Court judges were appointed, but none of them were women.
As far as the High Courts are concerned, again there is a notable gender imbalance. While Telangana High Court had 33 percent women representation, the best in India with regard to gender composition, 3 High Courts had zero women judges.
In High Courts, the presence of women judges was 14.45 percent only. Less number of women lawyers—17 percent of the total– may be one reason for the meagre number of judges but that cannot be the only reason.
Why women judges face differences in age of appointment and are generally appointed later than men need to be given a thought.
There are countless cases at all levels that a woman judge may be better equipped to handle than her male colleagues.
Both the government and the judiciary should ensure better representation of women in the judiciary.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
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Arrogance in VIPs and young brats
A 25 year old Gaurav Ahuja stepped out of a BMW on a busy road in Pune and was photographed by a passerby brazenly urinating and also flashed the person recording the video! The clip went viral and the culprit who had fled to Kolhapur was nabbed and brought to Pune by the police. He was made to apologize on national TV asking for forgiveness of the people, Maharashtra and the nation, to please give him a chance and promised he will never do it again! The last we heard was remand by court into police custody drunk driving etc. Action was taken since this person was caught on camera by a citizen but these cases all over India are many and rampant! How many deaths have been caused by high end vehicles overrunning people walking or sleeping on the footpaths and the rich and powerful getting away or managing to evade justice and the law? Matters are hushed up, witnesses bought/intimidated, maybe compensation paid etc. This is a serious issue and social malaise and the ego and arrogance of the VIPS and rich and powerful and spoiled brats needs to be stopped, seriously discussed at the highest level and awareness backed by legislation ensuring prevention of this malaise starting right from the politicians who must lead by example!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
