Stop rent-a-car biz, bring in app-based taxis
The Transport Minister says a show cause notice will be issued to the rent-a-car owner regarding the Mandovi bridge accident.
But everyday, we open the newspaper and read of young lives lost in accidents in Goa. I suggest this ‘Rent-a-car’ business should be stopped immediately. It is the main cause of accidents. The tourists who hire them may have a licence but they don’t know to drive! Why then do they rent the car? Because taxi fares are exorbitant in Goa. Take a look at Mumbai city. How inexpensive it is to travel by taxi. Why doesn’t the Government bring in Uber, Ola here? Whom are they afraid of?
How many more lives will be lost before the Government takes action? The public transport system also needs to be improved. Why have the private buses been taken off the roads with no replacement? The Government is increasing our hardship instead of mitigating it. The number of cars on the roads have increased, everybody is in a tearing hurry with no regard for traffic rules.
And so everyday we read of heartbreaking tragedies. This is National Road Safety Month. The Transport Minister should resign if he can’t do his job. Just issuing statements to the Press will not do. Enough is enough!
Jennifer Viegas, Navelim
Safety measures on killer bridges
The ‘idharudhar’ cartoon published in O Heraldo on February 24 has hit the nail on the head as a wake-up call of the vulnerability of two-wheeler riders crossing our killer riverine bridges. The scooterist is forewarned of the approaching bridge by the signage ‘Bridge Ahead’ and his body is strapped with a life saving indefatigable rubber jacket and his helmet is secured to an oxygen mask. In all fairness, the traffic cell of the Goa police should take a cue from the cartoon and issue guidelines to scooterists and motorcycle riders to wear the depicted safety gear to save their lives.
Alternatively, the safety gear may be provided at the approach of the bridge and disrobed at the exit point. Renowned cartoonist R K Laxman and our homegrown cartoonist Mario Miranda would have given a thumbs-up for the innovative and creative cartoon.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Utmost need to save, conserve marine life
The death of a dolphin found on Colva beach has sent alarm bells ringing in coastal communities and among environmentalists. Incidentally this is the latest of a string of sea creature deaths and injuries reported in the last couple of days. Dolphins have reportedly been found dead in Cavelossim, Baga, Varca, Zalor, Benaulim and now at Colva. Dolphins are susceptible to numerous threats, ranging from industrial and agricultural pollution to drilling for oil and gas. According to a study last year, about a third of all marine animals across the globe could vanish within 300 years as oceans absorb the excess heat created by humans. It is learnt that already by 2021, oceans contained more heat energy than at any point since record-keeping began six
decades ago.
In some cases, scientists say climate change may be leading to more algal blooms and other events that starve fish of oxygen. Warming oceans and marine heat waves are driving sea creatures from their normal habitats. Local fishermen at Benaulim were shocked to
see several dead sea-birds washed ashore.
Since much of the oil from oil-spills floats on water surface, the creatures most affected by oil spill are marine mammals and sea birds. The oil coats their furs and feathers reducing their insulating ability making them more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and less buoyant in water. Turtles are caught in ghost nets and unless rescued they could die prematurely. There needs to be a comprehensive marine conservation strategy in place.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
US President should mind his language
Heads of state are supposed to be exemplary in their conduct and thus lead by example, especially if you happen to be the president of the most powerful and richest economy in the world. Recently the US president, Joe Biden called Russian president Vladimir Putin as a ‘crazy SOB’, an obscenity that lowers the prestige and decorum of his high office.
This is a disgrace. Earlier, in January 2022, the same president was caught on hot mic, calling a Fox News reporter ‘stupid son of a b***h’. Uncalled for even to a reporter. By being unable to control his language, the president of America has lowered his prestige and made himself a legitimate target of being called the same words he used by others for him.
To make a distant comparison, it should be noted that in the Grand Slams, ‘an audible obscenity’ is penalized. If tennis players are subject to curtailment of their language in a comparatively smaller arena as a tennis court, much more refined language is expected from the head of state. There should be absolutely no alibis for those who hold high office. Hard hitting language is OK, but definitely not obscenities that can be construed to
hurt deeper.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Govt should quickly sort out farmers’ issues
Resilience of Indian farmers has been exceptionally great. In their protests, they have sat through the punishing weather conditions of Delhi in the past, and they are doing so now. It is really unfortunate that the ruling BJP has been unyielding and seems to be not interested in having any meaningful discussion with the farm unions and other stakeholders to allay their concerns quickly. Farmers hope if they keep the pressure on, the government will be forced to concede to their demands.
Apart from the key MSP issue, protesters are demanding pension for farmers, debt waiver, and the reinstatement of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act, among other grievances. As the stalemate continues, the nation watches closely to see how the Centre and the farmers navigate through this challenging impasse. In the deadlock, however, farmers appear to have won a psychological war by putting farming back on the national agenda.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
It seems like God heard Nariman’s prayers
With the passing away of Fali Sam Nariman, India has lost yet another legal luminary par excellence who was not only speaking but also breathing constitutional democracy. He was one who had an unassailable faith in secularism, the lifeline of our country.
It would not be an exaggeration if I say that, most of the verdicts pronounced by the judges of the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court have the influence of the arguments on related matters put forth in the Apex Court, by this constitutional expert. At a time when all constitutional bodied appear to remain compromised and a Damocles sword is hanging over the head of secularism, I am reminded of what he has recorded in his autobiography, ‘Before Memory Fades’. “I have lived and flourished in a Secular India.. In the fullness of time, if God wills, I would also like to die in a secular India.”
It looks as if God has heard his prayers.
Tharcius S Fernando,
Chennai
