Prevention of gas cylinder explosions
On November 19, a young pregnant woman and her mother lost their lives when their domestic gas cylinder exploded, at Vasco. Apparently, the burner was on and when the woman lit a match/lighter and the kitchen being filled with gas, an explosion occurred. It is puzzling as to how the women did not smell the gas.
Cylinder explosions occur because of faulty regulator, worn out washers of the regulator, cracks in the connector tube, loose connection between gas stove and regulator, opening the knob before striking a match stick or using a lighter, and broken knobs. When you smell gas, the electric switches in the kitchen should not be put on as a spark could set off an explosion. Use a torch to check the source of the smell and open all the windows and doors to disperse the gas.
Most of the gas stoves that are available are compatible with LPG. When we change from LPG to PNG, it is not simply a matter of disconnecting and connecting the gas tube. The gas technician fits nozzles with a wider diameter because PNG has a much lower calorific (heating) value than LPG and a larger quantity is needed to generate the same amount of heat. The nozzles are to be changed again if we modify PNG stove to LPG else the strong flames could be hazardous.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Defensive driving can prevent self-accidents
Even though drunken-driving is considered as the prime reason for road accidents, this may not be entirely true, especially when Goans are involved in such accidents. There have been several self-accidents that have been reported in the State in the past few days. It was indeed a black Sunday.
The main reasons for self-accidents involving two-wheelers are distracted driving, reckless driving, speeding, not wearing a helmet, using the mobile while riding, among others. Other factors that contribute to a self-accident are slippery road conditions due to rains, potholed roads, improper lighting on the roads, etc. Self-accidents are to a large extent avoidable. Defensive riding is the way to prevent road accidents. The golden rule is ‘Leave early, drive slowly, reach safely’. The youth should realize that roads are not race tracks and should stick to the prescribed speed-limit while also following the traffic rules.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Team India can hold its head high
Sports, at times can be extremely cruel and can be devastating to a team and its players more than the fury of nature. This painful fact will haunt the Men in Blue forever, who were absolutely dominant until the finals of the World Cup 2023, but eventually lost to Men in Yellow in the summit clash. Just over a month ago, the Aussies found themselves languishing at the very bottom of the points table, looking like a jaded unit, which seemed cooked and short of answers. But in an amazing turnaround, they managed to win nine games on the trot to become world champions. And it was a sort of poetic justice for Australia, as after losing to India and South Africa in the league stage, they stormed their way to the WC title, defeating the same two teams.
It seems that Team India was destined to lose just one game in WC 2023, but unfortunately that game happened to be the final. Nevertheless, the Men in Blue had an outstanding WC 2023 tournament and made every Indian feel proud of their brilliant performance, and they can walk with their heads high.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Replenish your levels of haemoglobin
A large percentage of people suffer from deficiency of haemoglobin and this can be rectified and boosted back to normal by a few simple methods. It is known that the chemical structure of haemoglobin is similar to chlorophyll which is the green pigmentation in leaves as also that of Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12). They all contain the similar haeme units. Chlorophyll has at its centre Magnesium and Cyanocobalamin has Cobalt at its centre and Haemoglobin has iron at its centre. Now by consuming green leafy vegetables which is rich in chlorophyll and iron containing foods such as meats, poultry, dry fruits and nuts along, it is possible that the Magnesium and Cobalt in the Chlorophyll and Cyanocobalamin respectively can be replaced with iron. Iron is the most reactive in the three, haemoglobin can be boosted in the blood which is going to make your health robust by facilitating the formation of more oxy-haemoglobin in the lungs which is then carried to the entire extremities of the body via the blood stream. This conclusion has been verified by doctorates in chemistry as well as physicians who have recommended this way to boost Haemoglobin in the blood and thus a very healthy body.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
India lacked sportsmanship
The piece ‘To be the best in sports, nations need to be masters at sportsmanship’ (O Heraldo November 21, 2023) was a very good insight into the just concluded Cricket World Cup. We may still be the best in the cricketing world but you rightly state, ‘nations need to be masters of sportsmanship’, which apparently and unfortunately, was missing at this World Cup Final at the world’s largest stadium.
Clearly, the excitement of the World Cup was missing and it tells very poorly on our country. The whole world was watching us and we failed miserably, both on and off the field. Unfortunate it may seem that India lost the World Cup, from a perfect 10. Needless to say, we need to take both success & failure in our stride. That’s the true spirit of sportsmanship. So, what went wrong?
Credit must be given to the Aussies though, they were the better side.
By the way, it seems like a big hype was created about India winning all the 10 matches and huge praises were heaped on the captain and the bowlers, etc. But, finally the bubble burst and the team let down the nation and their fans when it mattered the most.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
India’s young guns disappointed at the World Cup final
The Indian cricket team played well in the cricket World Cup. They had a dream run until the final which was beyond everyone’s expectation including theirs. Maybe they peaked a little early. The law of averages finally had to kick in. The odds evened out on November 19 night. No taking anything away from the Aussie performance. They played well & were deserving winners.
If you look at the Indian scorecard, you will see the old campaigners like Rohit, Virat & Rahul contributed, you cannot expect them to score a century each time they go out to bat, but the youngsters such as Iyer, Gill and Surya Kumar Yadav were a disaster. They failed in their performance because the big moment of a final got them. Surya Kumar Yadav stayed at the crease for long but was pottering around when he could have freed his shoulders and hit the ball around the park. His timing was also atrocious. As for our bowlers there were no runs on the board to go all out. They did their best in the face of a disciplined assault by Head ably supported by Labushagne. The Aussies thus emerged Champions yet another time by holding their nerve and showing grit and determination.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
