Big salute to the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India has stamped its authority as having the last and final word, to uphold the Indian democracy, granting interim bail to the Arvind Kejrival. It was a magnanimous decision displaying its impartiality to protect the sacrosanct basic structure of the Constitution and not playing to the galleries.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Allowing the AAP supremo to take part in electoral campaign has restored the level playing field in the present election. The electoral bonds case and granting interim bail in the present PMLA case is a milestone order which has a cascading effect to embolden the subordinate courts to pass judgments and orders, without fear like in the Dabolkar murder case and Brij Bushan sexual harassment case. Salute to the Supreme Court of India under the leadership of D Y Chandrachud Chief Justice of India.
Agnelo Furtado, Chinchinim
Begin with pre-monsoon works on urgent basis
The South West Monsoon is at our door-steps. As is normally the case, this will be preceded by the pre-monsoon showers. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorm in Goa on May 12 and 13. However it is noted that the pre-monsoon works has not commenced in several municipal areas across the State. Given the time it takes to complete the pre-monsoon works like cleaning the drains, trimming the trees and work on the electricity poles, it should have commenced in the right earnest latest by the month of February. But this has not been the case.
As a result in several municipal wards, it is observed that the works are being carried out even when we are well into the monsoon season. This causes great inconvenience to the citizens as it leads to flooding. The Model Code of Conduct, which is in force, should not come in the way of carrying out the pre-monsoon works. The Model Code of Conduct is a set of norms which deal with matters including speeches, meetings, processions, election manifestos, polling and general conduct. It comes into force immediately on the announcement of the election schedule and remains in force till the end of the electoral process. In Goa, the Model Code of Conduct came into force on April 19 and will continue till the results are out which is June 4. Obviously execution of the pre-monsoon works cannot wait till this date.
Adelmo Fernandes,
Vasco
Panjim seems like a war-torn city
This has reference to the report ‘Fading signs of a directionless Smart City’ (O Heraldo, May 10, 2024).
Reading newspapers, it is really sad, rather disgusting to see the situation in Panaji, the capital of Goa in such a deadly mess.
A city embarking on the road to become what they called, a ‘Smart City’ seems like a war torn city. According to the news reports, commuting along these deadly roads has taken a deadly turn, resulting in confusion and chaos among motorists, as most traffic signages have faded or disappeared.
I think this is a case study of how to plan and embark on a Smart City project.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Medicine prices keep soaring
If you compare the prices of medicines you bought eight months ago with the current prices, you will be shocked to find that the prices have gone up to more than 100 per cent. Why did these pharmaceutical companies suddenly raise the price of medicines so much? The answer is ‘electoral bonds’.
Several of the pharmaceutical companies had to pay crores of rupees to the BJP government as forced bribes through electoral bonds. In order to recover this money, the companies had no other alternative but to increase the price of medicines without any control.
The government allowed these companies to increase the prices of even essential medicines.
We are the world’s largest democracy and must preserve what our freedom fighters fought for. Let’s not lose this legacy for a power-hungry politician.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Hats off to openers of Gujarat Titans
No doubt, it was painful to see Chennai Super Kings lose their match against Gujarat Titans (GT) and reduce their chances to qualify for a play off place during this IPL season.
Of course, with a depleted bowling attack, sans Pathirana and Mustafizur and the consistent failure of bowlers like Jadeja, etc has proved to be costly. Added to their woe is their fielding lapses and dropped catches. At the same time, hats off to GT openers, Subhman Gill and Sai Sudarshan, who stitched a record equalling double century opening partnership and both scoring centuries to put CSK on the backfoot. Ironically it is a surprise as to how the selectors ignored to select a consistent player like Sai Sudarshan, who has time and again proved to be a match winner. Unfortunately, Gill was not consistent till now and has missed the bus to book a place in the play off place.
N Mahadevan, Chennai
Mother tongue unlocks hidden potential
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed all its schools across the country to make use of educational materials, focussing on teaching in one’s mother tongue in an effort to encourage multilingual education.
When children develop their mother tongue, they are simultaneously fostering a host of other essential skills, such as critical thinking and literacy skills. It is this skill-set that they take with them into formal education.
Research tells that any skills and concepts gained in the learner’s home language don’t need to be re-taught when they transfer to a second language. For example, if a child has developed the ability to guess the meaning of a word through its context or to infer meaning by reading between the lines, these skills are easily transferred when they begin studying in a second language.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
