Ribandar hospital opening on Oct 2?
On October 2 last year amidst the raging pandemic residents of Ribandar and surrounding villages braved holding a public demonstration demanding that fully-fledged medical facilities be made available at the Old Ribandar Hospital.
Needless to state, the Old Ribandar Hospital was Asia’s first medical school with a very glorious history and this priceless heritage structure needs to be preserved by restoring the premises with all possible Health Care facilities.
After a year long struggle we are now informed that a Ribandar Health Center will see the light of the day on October 2 which is Gandhi Jayanti.
We had been promised that the Health facilities at the Old Ribandar Hospital would start as 30-bedded with a 24X7 Casualty cum Trauma unit equipped with all the required facilities and that it would be expanded in stages to be a fully fledged Hospital.
We are aware that Union Minister Shripad Naik and his son Siddesh with alleged vested interests have been sabotaging the setting up of our Health Center but it is for the government to live up to its promise.
The promised Community Health Center at the Old Ribandar hospital would benefit not only a densely populated Ribandar but also neighbouring residents of Chimbel, Merces, Old Goa and the Island of Divar.
We will have to keep our fingers crossed till October 2 to see what the government actually delivers.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Different place after Covid-19
The pandemic has taken a huge toll on people’s mental health the world over and the world is likely to be different place after Covid-19 as there is nobody who is not affected by it. Only God knows what is in store for us ahead. The good thing is that we have started valuing and cherishing even minor things, and have become more grounded from worldly pleasures. But there are so many things we are missing out on and yearning for badly.
I feel sad for today’s children. They are suffering much more. This is not how childhood should be. Socialising is an important skill that should be nurtured in children. I hope there is no long term bearing of all this on children. Our next generation should be better off than we are.
The pandemic has also forced us to rely on technology in ways we never done it before. There are good and bad sides of everything. Using technology in just about everything will make us all introverts more than extroverts in the coming years. It is important to interact with peers on regular basis.
I hope the end of 2023 there will be permanent end to the pandemic and we can return to our normal activities.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Naming a cyclone ‘Gulab’
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that a cyclonic ‘Gulab’ will make landfall in Odisha. It may be recalled that in May, two cyclonic storms Tauktae (named by Myanmar) and Yass (named by Oman) had hit the coastal areas near Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal respectively. However what has come as a surprise is the name given to the recent cyclonic storm.
‘Gulab’ which means a rose stands for love and is known for the sweet smell and is presented on special occasions, especially Valentine Day. However a cyclonic storm brings about death and destruction. It brings untold misery to the people. This is in stark contrast to what a rose signifies. It is understood that cyclone ‘Gulab’ was named by Pakistan.
In 2018, a panel comprising 13 countries was set up to coordinate and decide names of future cyclones. These countries choose the names of cyclones in the North Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Every country has reportedly given 13 names. In 2020 Gulab, Tej, Agni, Aag, Shaheen were among the 169 names selected. IMD predicted that another cyclone Shaheen’ could form over Bay of Bengal after the cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’ has weakened into a depression. Incidentally the name ‘Shaheen’has been given by Qatar which is part of the member countries for the naming of tropical storms in the Indian Ocean. Be that as it may, naming of cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’, a flower so dear to young lovers, seems very much out of place.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Of loiterers and loafers
Of late we have been witness to hordes of migrant labourers loitering near the Margao Municipal building and the adjoining gardens. Several of them are seen hanging around these public areas chewing paan, spitting gutka , urinating, smoking, ogling women and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
Many of the vagrants use the corridors of office buildings or shop fronts as a dormitory during the nights, there is a distinct possibility that some of them could be drug addicts, thieves, chain snatchers or anti-social elements. Same is the case with beggars and loafers making use of the garden compound wall as a seat, a bed, a table or for gambling purposes.
The morning ‘rokda market’ (daily wages workers assembly) offering labour services relating to building activities such as masonry, tiling, plumbing, painting etc. near the town square is another cause for concern considering the rising crime graph in the city. The law enforcement authorities should be extra vigilant given the trying times we live in, random checks must be carried out on such gatherings, who knows there could be lumpen elements plotting their next crime right under the nose of the police.
Concurrently the constabulary should conduct door to door surveys to crack down on violators who rent out their premises to tenants sans verification or informing the local police.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Warning signals!
A large study conducted by the Oxford University and National Institute of Health Research showed that at least one long-term Covid symptom was found in 37% of patients 3 to 6 months after infection. These included breathing and cognitive problems mostly in older people and headaches, abdominal problems and anxiety and depression in young people and women.
We know of the many other problems affecting organs as well. Just now, the WHO has not recognised Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for emergency use. This setback has prompted a National network of Scientists to warn that India is making the same blunders it made in the Covaxin approval process in the current process for Zydus Cadila’s vaccine for 12-year-olds.
What do these signals tell us? First, the Govt. is compensating only Covid deaths, that too to cover up the oxygen shortage monumental blunder. They are struggling to save patients from Covid death today-unsuccessfully-when the positivity rate is so low! So, who is treating these 37% patients suffering 6 months after infection? Who will compensate them?
The Task Force in Goa is totally inadequate to handle these issues. The decisions they take do not have any consideration for the risks involved: do they have a list of risks with mitigation measures in place? Ventilation is furthest from their minds even though the Delta virus is air-borne – meaning it spreads from breathing and not droplets alone.
R Fernandes, Margao
Rs 600 beach fine
Recently it as reported that 2 tourists were booked for driving bikes on Nerul beach but only Rs 600 fine for this destructive act? Looks to me more like a reasonable price ticket for being allowed to drive on the beach!
Is the Goa Government capable to think properly?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
