Dangerously sticking out through sunroof
In Goa it has become a common feature for those travelling in luxury cars with sunroofs to stand dangerously with a part of their body jutting out through the sunroof. Even little children are seen popping their heads out through the sunroofs. It is pertinent to note that the task of a sunroof is to allow light, air or both to come into a vehicle. However, there are several instances where the sunroof is being misused. Many pop their heads out through the sunroof to click photos or take videos from the moving vehicle on their mobiles or just to feel the breeze. Such a stunt from a moving car can lead to small stones hitting the face including eyes. It is as good as driving a car without a windscreen. Then there is the risk of bodily harm in case the moving car is forced to come to an immediate stop. A crash or simply the use of brakes can lead to severe injury to the torso. Most importantly, indulging in such acts is completely illegal. Such stunts are a source of distraction for other road users. Celebrities and politicians are seen poking themselves out of sunroofs to greet their fans and supporters which can influence others to indulge in such acts. There should be zero tolerance towards such illegal acts.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Dunki a reality
Kudos to Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan for highlighting a very important issue in their latest movie ‘Dunki’, the issue of Illegal migration, not many knew that there was a donkey process for illegally migrating to another country.
The film showcased the lives of those people who travel via this illegal process and what lies in store for them later, how these illegal migrants are exploited and that they are all alone.
Generally, the idea being floated is that life is easy in foreign countries and there is huge money there, this is a major reason why many people including the youth today want to migrate to foreign lands, legally or through the Dunki process.
Also, it is important to note that the Dunki process is rampant because there are no jobs for the youth, Gujarat (the projected Model State), Punjab and in recent years Haryana are the three States where the process of Dunki is rampant and migration (legal or illegal) is huge.
The end credits show us some startling figures and heart-rending images of the deaths and the state of the illegal immigrants there and also the images of human trafficking.
A very sensitive and must watch movie for all, especially the youngsters who feel that life is bed of roses in these foreign lands.
Altaf Shah, Vasco
Fire in Margao’s New Market
It is sad to see that once again the shop has caught fire in Margao’s New Market due to AC electrical reasons. The fire from the garment shop spreading to other stores and pharmacy has raised many issues of the safety measures where the loss of stock is in lakhs of rupees.
The market has a narrow roads and due to the vehicles parked on both sides of the road it becomes difficult to handle the emergency situation like fire brigade to carry out operations and if the fire has to catch inside the market then it was really a tough time to control the fire as all the shops are attached to each other. It will create a panic situation for the people to exit. I can say that only God is protecting this site. Blaming the authorities all the time is not a solution. The shop owners have to maintain AC, electric appliances and electrical wiring in their shops.
They should keep fire extinguishers like CO2, dry powder, water and foam to handle the small fire situation. Persons should be trained to use fire extinguishers during emergency. There is no proper safety inside and outside the shops in the market and the problem is where the people visiting the market will park their vehicles? Electricity wires hanging all around and the department doesn’t bother and now the authority will only point fingers at one another and mute the issue after a few days. Safety always comes first and it doesn’t take a break. Thank God that the fire was brought under control.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Road safety is paramount
2023 is coming to an end and Goa has over the years been witnessing a spurt of accidents towards the year-end. Let us be extra cautious on the roads and highways so that more lives don’t perish. Accidents do happen but when it is due to negligence and rash driving at times fuelled by an intoxication of harmful substances like alcohol, then it cannot be an accident.
Today we are overburdened with an astronomical rise in vehicles on roads. Some sanity needs to prevail on the rent a car and rent a bike sector which we see not observing the traffic rules which is a cause for many accidents. The authorities need to crack down on two-wheelers which are being used for courier service and sometimes carry the load of a rickshaw. The food delivery guys must be reined in. Using private vehicles for commercial activity is in violation of law.
Is it not an irony that while we see people spending lakhs on medical treatment to save their lives, we also see those endangering not only their own, but also the lives of others by their reckless behaviour on roads. We have to vow to do everything possible to avoid accidents. Let us bid farewell to 2023 while ushering in the New Year with peace and hope for an even better year, while making sure we don’t have to bid farewell to our near and dear ones and cause pain and suffering to others or ourselves through reckless driving.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Bring unruly revellers to book
New Year is around, and an average tourist nurtures serious misconceptions about some of India’s famous tourist spots. For example Goa – the beautiful little State has much more to its tradition and culture than beaches and booze. Plenty of tourists, however, get carried away and immerse themselves in the two ‘Bs’. Dirt and debris along the Goa beaches, including empty alcohol bottles, is not a sight for sore eyes at all. Many unruly visitors to Goa, lacking in civic sense, behave as if there is no living local population in the State. Such unruly tourists should be dealt with an iron hand no matter who they are and from where they come. Ditto with other popular tourist destinations.
Signboards warning mischief mongers of fine and punitive actions should be erected at all sensitive points of places where tourists throng. Consumption of alcohol, smoking and spitting should attract heavy penalties, so should relieving oneself all over the place. Besides, round-the-clock monitoring of the important beaches of India is a must. One should get this right– there are thousands who treat tourist attractions like their own home: with care and caution. But there is a sizable population that cares two hoots about leaving a lasting impression on decency and decorum, cleanliness and pure air. These uncivilised people should be brought to book.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
