Stop following Google
maps blindly
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A truck carrying medicines from Goa to Chennai reportedly got stuck in a ditch near a railway gate in the forest near Londa on Thursday, after the driver claimed he was misled by Google Maps on his mobile phone. A crane had to be called to extricate the heavy vehicle from the spot. Be that as it may, when it comes to navigation, Google Maps is one of the most widely used tools in the world. Indeed Google Maps has revolutionised the way we navigate and explore the world. They are generally accurate but its accuracy can be affected by several factors such as obstructions like buildings and other structures, weather, interference, and the number of satellites. Location accuracy can be low due to weak Global Positioning System (GPS) or Wi-Fi signals. In some cases, they may provide inaccurate or outdated directions due to changes in road layouts or traffic conditions. Following GPS blindly while driving is not advisable. They may not show unmanned railway crossings or roads closed for various reasons which can lead to accidents. On the flip side, GPS can be blamed for breaking traffic rules. There was an instance in Goa when a tourist was caught driving the car on the beach. The driver said that he was led to the beach by Google Maps. It is prudent for the motorists to verify the route manually, especially while travelling on
unfamiliar roads, as blind reliance on GPS can sometimes lead to major inconvenience and even accidents.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
More Railway stations not needed in Goa
The people of Neura and Sarzora have stood their ground against the Konkan Railway station proposed by the government of Goa and the Railway authorities as they feel that it is just not needed as the Karmali station is in close proximity to the village.
Sarzora villagers are demanding for a flyover bridge for years but the government and railway authorities are insensitive to their demands.
We don’t understand as to why the authorities are proposing new railway stations when they are just not required. Acquisition of land for such projects will only end in destruction of the village.
Looks like the government is all out to sell our beautiful Goa for the greed of money. The destruction of the State’s ecology lies before are very eyes. Our hills, forests, water bodies, and paddy fields have vanished. We Chandorkars are facing many problems due to the railway station in the village.
The crime rate is soaring with the influx of migrants, land prices have begun to soar and are now beyond the reach of locals, while citizens of Goa continue to suffer in silence. The authorities should stop construct more railway stations in the State but instead maintain the existing ones.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Class of parasites
created by freebies
Once again, the Supreme Court has decried the freebie culture adopted by political parties in their bid to woo voters. Every major political party in India desires to win elections and there is nothing wrong with it because social service is an offshoot
of power.
But in the rat race for power, promises are freely made. Most of the freebies offered by the politicians are far-fetched, unrealistic and outright ridiculous. Nevertheless they are unabashedly made because there are certain sections of the society that are gullible to tall promises though the clever can easily see through the assurances.
Most of the parties freely promise but are not forthcoming on the huge burden their ” free promises” will put on the exchequer if at all the promises are to be remotely met. Apparently, the hands of the Election Commission (EC) are full with the onerous responsibility of conducting elections. Who, then, is going to arrest the unsavoury practice? Courts, of course.
The top court has hit the nail right on the head when it remarked that a class of parasites is being created consequent to freebies being doled out by the governments.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Might is just
not right!
This has reference to the report ‘Hands joined in human shield to save their lands’ (O Heraldo – February 14, 2025). Disgusting scenario indeed, this is what power can do. One can understand the frustration and desperation of the residents of Primeirovaddo in Velsao at the bulldozing tactics resorted to by the authorities.
This action of dumping construction material in front of ancestral homes is inhuman. Are the authorities working for the welfare of the people, one wonders. This brings us to some basic questions, development for whom? For whose benefit is the infrastructure being undertaken? Is it actually required?
Are the locals being consulted? It is heartening to see however, the locals standing up against the might of the authorities. More power to the people!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Gender neutral
language needed
In order to eliminate ambiguities and thereby decrease disputes and litigation, the finance minister introduced the Income Tax Bill 2025 in Parliament. This bill is concise, lucid, and easy to read and comprehend.
It replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961, which had become intricate over time due to amendments, had intricate language, had an elaborate structure, and was voluminous.
Despite these advantages, our finance minister being a woman and the crafters of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, have made it predominantly male-centric, giving little elbow to the fair sex and by not using gender-neutral
language.
Though the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, is applicable to all genders, they have adopted the masculine terms “director”, “assistant director,” and “deputy director,” “and male pronouns like he, him, his, and himself, although there exist feminine words “directress,” “assistant directress,” and “deputy directress,” and feminine pronouns like she, her, hers, and herself. The Constitution of India, under Articles 14 to 18, provides for the right to equality for all citizens of the country as a fundamental right. Gender-neutral legislation draughting is necessary in a democratic nation since the present generation believes that all people are created equal and capable of greatness in all endeavours. The onus lies with us to use gender-neutral language and pass it on to future generations.
K V Chandra Mouli, Mysuru
