Free environment from bio-degradable waste
The foremost challenges of our environment and seas is to keep it free from destructive elements such as micro-plastics and other disposable plastics. These, whether in the form of plastic bags or containers should never be mindlessly strewn in our surrounding. All our beaches should also all be devoid of harmful plastics, which in turn break down to micro-plastics, small enough to go unnoticed by the naked eye. These could end up being ingested by living creatures and other inhabitants of this earth. The fragility of the environment is so delicate that plastics pass on into all sea and land creatures, which could spell their doom.
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Recently, I witnessed a green Olive Ridley turtle being rescued by a fisherman caught up in his nets. The turtle was partially strangulated, unable to breathe freely, entangled with a nylon rope entwined round its neck. With hard and meticulous effort, the fisherman managed to unwind the rope but not before the turtle had gashing deep wounds on its neck and other body parts. It was later released into the sea.
Cattle too could be victims by ingesting these plastic and allied materials thereby ruining their health, which are not readily metabolised and assimilated by organs of a fragile living creature and could do a lot of harm to them. There are numerous cases of inherent defects and disability in animals born to parents, which can trace their roots of deformity due to eating and chewing on such plastics and other derivatives ingested by them. These are passed on to humans through the food chain. Utter precautions and dedication is required by everyone in the handling and disposal of such plastics and chemical waste.
Ashley Noronha, Fatorda
Dealing with suicidal tendencies
It’s really disheartening to know about the Patil family and the way they used to commit suicide (‘Debt-strapped man chooses death.’ O Heraldo, June 30, 2023). The future of the 12-year-old son too was abruptly destroyed. It’s alarming that the suicide rate in India is increasing at a very steep pace.
Undoubtedly, Almighty God has gifted us with this beautiful life and it’s our responsibility to take care of it, and in no sense is it ethical to commit suicide, irrespective of the mistakes which one might have committed. Likewise, suicide is not at all the solution for any tragedies that might have happened in one’s life, but instead it’s a step of cowardice. Moreover, people with suicidal tendencies/behaviour should at least open up to their friends/family members and urgent assistance/counselling can be provided to them. However, we need to face the challenges of life, exclusively by God’s grace. At times, the person with suicidal tendencies also shy away from informing it to others, due to the taboo attached to it.
Evidently, it’s the need of the hour that government/NGOs come out with some counselling centres 24×7, wherein assistance and counselling is provided to the person, without disclosing their identity. The toll-free number should be advertised at all public places for better effectiveness.
Awareness campaigns by Students/NGOs can be conducted
at different institutions/work places/parks etc and this noble deed can work wonders in enlightening the obsessed minds of the person suffering from suicidal thoughts.
Eventually, one should remember that it’s not the end of the world and always hope for the best. Keep going! Almighty God will definitely make a way.
Joseph Savio DeSouza, Candolim
Act swiftly on corruption
The recent scams that have been getting exposed in Goa, only shows that the good governance which promised free a corruption free system does not work anywhere in India. Votes are garnered, but once in power all elected representatives indulge in corruption and everybody starts looting the govt and contractors. The Town and Country Planning Dept seems to be at the top of the list. Presently, the Excise dept is in the news for a scam. Interestingly, the same BJP Govt is gunning for the AAP Govt. in New Delhi. Nobody is spared even the ex minister Manish Sisodia has been sent to the jail for the similar liquor policy scam. But in Goa there has been the loot and Chief Minister and the investigating agency has been going slow in sending these looters behind bars. Are only those in Opposition supposed to go to jails? Is this the type of justice promised by the modern governance and the govt?
Gregory E D’Souza, Siolim
Kudos to Adv Radharao Gracias
Apropos the article featured in the editorial section of O Heraldo dated June 28, 2023, I wish to congratulate Adv Radharao Gracias for the detailed and very meticulously written piece on the controversy connected with the assumed idol found in Sancoale. Adv Radha has in his usual way, included pointed questions and infact noted down some of the intricacies of the Hindu Shastras, which, I am sure even the so called and self proclaimed rakhandars such as Ayush Naiks and Sudhin Dhavalikars will have no idea exist in the Hindu traditions. Naik’s comments have aroused the Kumbhakarna in Adv Radha, to write something. I am sure many have appreciated this piece and urge the writer to enlighten us with more articles on various topics that plague our state and country
Jaret Chandrapurkar, Chandor
