Of fortified and plastic rice
Contrary to rumours which are floating that plastic rice is distributed through the fair price shops, the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has clarified that it is ‘fortified’ rice and not plastic rice and asked the public not to panic. The department recently held an awareness campaign to explain that the rice is fortified with nutrition in order to improve the immune system which makes the rice float in water.
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The government of India had decided to scale up distribution of fortified rice and start supplying it through Integrated Child Development Services and Mid-Day Meal scheme. Currently, fortified rice is being distributed via the public distribution system (PDS). The objective of the scheme was to address anaemia and micronutrient deficiency in the country.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Appreciate toiling Goans
This has reference to two reports ‘Preserving a traditional art in a digital age’ & ‘Maria Mascarenhas: the farmer with one eye, a life time of toil……..’ (O Heraldo October 30, 2023).
Amidst the disturbing scenario in the country and around the world, such news items have a soothing effect. The coconut broom-maker Sonu Gaonkar for instance, who continues making brooms out of coconut palm leaves is an inspiration. I recall my younger days when I would go to my village (Gorai, in Mumbai) when we would make such brooms out of palm leaves. Not just brooms but weaving table mats as well (some of which I still have with me). Yes, you’re right, in today’s digital age many traditional occupations have faded into obscurity as mass produced products dominate the market.
The other refreshing news is of Maria Mascarenhas along with her sister, who continue with farming in Sangolda, even at her age and at a time when farmers are literally fed up with the erratic weather conditions and have given up farming forever. Needless to say, we need to preserve farming. As I’ve said earlier, there may come a time when we would have no food on our table.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Avoid falling into the medicine trap
Goa is considered the land of susegad people. Another striking feature is having ‘n’ number of chemists in every nook and corner in a city with just 10 to15,000 population, whereas in other metropolitan cities it is difficult to find a medical store. The medical stores make a roaring business with high profit margin. Very few chemists share part of the profit by giving discounts to the public & seniors. This is a very serious and gloomy situation as it reflects the condition of the health status of Goans.
It appears every second person, immaterial of age, is on medication, else these chemists shops would not have flourished and thanks also to doctors for prescribing a long list of medicines. It seems we have fallen entirely in the trap and become dependent on medicines with a susegad lifestyle, leaving aside home remedies and physical fitness. Time has come to get out of this vicious circle, as it will lead us to nowhere.
Bhalchandra V S Priolkar, Margao
Government versus SC over bonds issue
Various petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the opaque electoral bond mode of funding political parties. Hearings on the same shall be taken up by the judges on October 31. Ahead of the proceedings, the Attorney General of India has cautioned the Court, against entering the political domain for regulating these dubious fund raising instruments. He mentioned that the Constitution has not conferred citizens with a fundamental right to know the source of these monies. He further argued that the scheme does not impinge upon any right of citizens nor does it violate any act of Parliament.
That the electoral bond regime is heavily skewed in favour of the ruling party. Moneybags and industrialists would rather pay such legal bribes than getting raided by Central agencies such as the ED, CBI, IT, DRI etc. The emasculated courts have no option but to meekly accept these submissions. Opaqueness is the hallmark and birth right of the arrogant BJP government when it comes to revealing any information which might show it in a bad light or tarnish the supposed image of its dear leader nee Vishwaguru. The people should teach an abject lesson in humility to the ruling dispensation come 2024.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Kerala blasts have raised alarm bells
The recent serial blasts at a Christian convention centre in Kalamassery in Kerala is shocking and deserves to be condemned. The people came to pray to God at Sunday.
The incident took place amid political tension in Kerala after Hamas leader Khaled Mashal virtually addressed a pro-Palestine protest. Terrorist leaders of Hamas themselves take part in events. The Kerala police being oblivious about the terror faction leader’s group address in the State is unacceptable. And this incident has raised alarm bells.
It is disturbing to note that terrorist acts are taking place in Kerala. This is the result of appeasement politics and turning a blind eye to terror activities. The religious communities, especially Christians in Kerala, are concerned about the demographic changes taking place in the southern State.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Spare a thought for human lives
The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars have painfully left scores of heart-rending images of crying, bleeding, wounded and helpless civilians, who became victims of invading forces, crushing humanity for the sake of feigned glory. War destroys communities and families, and often disrupts the development of the social and economic fabric of nations. For those callous and hardened political leaders, power and wealth matter, and not human lives and emotions.
They have perhaps never learned any lesson from history. They must know that war is not an adventure, but a dreaded disease. When can we see a world which is totally and absolutely conflict-free? Perhaps, the answer is when the power of love overcomes the love for power.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Stop Israel from further atrocities
The people of Palestine have been continuously facing the cruelty of Israel since October 7. Israel is not putting a stop to its relentless bombardment on civilians. People’s properties are being damaged and even critically ill patients are not safe from these attacks.
Israel has always used brutal tactics to suppress the oppressed Palestinians. But this time, compared to the past attacks, Israel’s brutality has crossed all limits. Bombs on schools, residential buildings and hospitals have left thousands of Palestinians martyred. Israel has not even spared children, and thousands of them have been killed in the last three weeks.
According to media reports, over 8000 Palestinians have been martyred as of date. Now another tragedy is about to happen, which is an increase in deaths due to starvation. Israel has stopped the delivery of water and fuel to Palestine. The Muslim-majority countries should stop Israel from further atrocities and start helping the Palestinian people.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
