Shrinking feeling
With the state-owned oil companies mindlessly increasing the prices of petrol and diesel on daily basis which causes the prices to rise of essential commodities as it has a direct effect hence creates a pinch in the pockets of low and middle income people of the country some even find difficulty in having one day a meal this is reality and the government is diverting this real issues with Mandir and Masjid issues.
I want to ask the state and Central government whether these issues can fill the stomach of the poor and the underprivileged. Ours is a saving economy. The government want to make it a borrowing economy look in the west. This, both government and RBI are obsessed with low interest rates. As the government revenue is buoyant, additional excise duties levied on petrol and diesel have to be withdrawn immediately. Otherwise, a Sri Lanka like turmoil could erupt in India also; only time will tell.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Ban roadside sale of plastic sheets
Cracking down on shopkeepers encroaching on walkways, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Monday reportedly confiscated the plastic sheets which were sold illegally along the pathways in front of the shops. It is learnt that a few shopkeepers had allowed the illegal sale of plastic sheets on the walkways in front of their shops and collected money on a monthly basis from those selling these sheets and other plastic items.
It is pertinent to note that just before the onset of monsoon vendors selling plastic sheets illegally occupy the pavement in other towns as well. Plastic sheets are in great demand before the monsoon season as people protect their homes from the rains by using these sheets. The illegal sale of these sheets on the pavement causes hardship to the pedestrians who are forced to walk on the road which can prove dangerous. These vendors also take a lot of space while measuring the sheets which the customers buy on the pavement thereby becoming a hindrance for the movement of the people.
Some vendors also sell these sheets by illegally occupying open spaces in the cities. Many shopkeepers who deal in plastic goods also display these plastic sheets by encroaching on the pathways.
Like the Margao Municipal Council, the other civic bodies also need to act tough against the illegal sale of plastic sheets on the pavements by confiscating the goods.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Appropriate vehicle indications are a must
When an individual learns to drive or ride a vehicle, knowledge about traffic signs, knowing the different indications and when to use them while driving on road is of utmost importance.
It is observed that most individuals don’t really bother to use the side light indication while coming on the road or while turning towards an interior road. Some drivers will just end up turning their vehicle all of a sudden unaware at times that there is another vehicle behind them. It is also inappropriate to indicate when you are just about to take a turn or change directions. Knowing the correct indication for left and right is a must.
Many a time knowingly or unknowingly an individual intends to head a particular direction, but would end up indicating a wrong direction on the vehicle. And this careless attitude by the driver leads to a lot of inconvenience to another driver, sometimes also leading to an accident.
Blow the horn if you want to alert another vehicle. For instance, blowing the horn while overtaking another vehicle or on sharp turns is the most appropriate action while driving. I humbly request all individuals to kindly be aware and be alert while driving a vehicle.
Knowing the correct driving etiquettes is important and should be practised at all times.
Lisa Fernandes, Quepem
Solar power for
India’s airports
In 2015, Kerala’s Cochin International Airport (1,300 acres) became the world’s first airport to be fully powered by solar energy. This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project was funded by nearly 10,000 non-resident Indians from 30 countries. In 2018, the airport obtained the Champion of the Earth the highest environmental honour awarded by the United Nations. The surplus energy generated is connected to the State’s electrical grid. In Oct. 2020 the Puducherry Airport of Airport Authority of India (AAI) was the first to be solar powered. On July 12, 2021, the GMR Hyderabad International Airport (5,000 acres) commissioned its 2nd solar power plant which has helped to double the capacity from 5 MW in 2016 to 10 MW. The solar panels occupy 45 acres and have advanced and more efficient polycrystalline photo-voltaic panels.
In all these cases the airports are saving immense money on their energy bills. These examples should inspire the authorities to install solar panels for the Dabolim Airport (1,700 acres) and also make provisions at the upcoming Mopa Airport. The AAI has classified airports as International, Domestic, Customs and Domestic Civil Enclaves (airports belonging to the defense e.g., Dabolim). Some belong to AAI, some run on PPP model and some are private.
The incumbent Honourable Jyotiraditya Scindia Minister for Civil Aviation could legally push the case of implementing the use of solar energy in as many airports as possible. By doing so, there could be several advantages – monetary gains which could be used elsewhere, obtain clean energy, reduces carbon footprint and also sell/share the excess energy with the State in which the airports are located.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Protect the environment
The theme for this year’s ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on May 31 was ‘Protect the environment’, as tobacco is killing us and our planet.
Those who use tobacco and tobacco products are not only putting their health at risk, but are also destroying the health of everyone on this planet. They should have a look at the negative effects of using tobacco on the environment.
Tobacco is the biggest enemy of public health today. The effects of tobacco use, as we all know, are destructive and widespread.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Enduring legacy
of M Boyer
This has reference to the article ‘The enduring legacy of M. Boyer’ (Herald Cafe, May 29). In the history of Tiatrs and Tiatrists, credit goes to M Boyer for being the highly awarded and profusely decorated Konkani Stage Artiste. He came into deep limelight as a singer though he was not a melodious singer only after the ouster of Portuguese rule in Goa because in his songs he disclosed the beauty of the upright administration in Goa manned by the Europeans and Goans as against the corruption oriented after December 19, 1961.
In his songs he used to hit hard at those involved in promoting the corrupt system that made him instant popular paving the way for the concerned authorities to recognise his super talent and decorate him deservingly.
When Provedoria’s Lotteries stopped, he came with his nice song against those responsible to stop this, when Morarjee Desai came with his Gold Control, again he came with one more song saying “Shopam Amchim disso Bhangarachim Tarvam/ Atam zalleat Ghotte re puta Ghottean na Ghorvam etc.
His other best songs were “Bhurgim ou Bhaulim Mennachim”, Loss of UG in the first election somewhere in 1963. And one of his best Tiatrs was ‘Besaum’.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
