Fear of despotic rule
Right from the time of Hitler and the Holocaust, to the recent democratic elections of strong men rising to head nations and becoming supreme leaders, with Russia now invading a sovereign nation with elected government, the world is witnessing might is right. With 67 nations of the UNO denouncing the invasion, the world is helplessly watching the Russian Goliath facing a resolute David fighting bravely for their freedom, honour and land.
Democracy is not perfect, but it is the best we have to prevent this sort of scenario where the Russian people are not told the truth and any dissent is ruthlessly suppressed!
With most of the nations going nuclear, the tremendous destructive power of modern technology and weapons, it is high time we the people wake up to see how we are being manipulated to fulfill the vision of one Supreme leader developing sycophants around to tell him what he wants to hear and using propaganda, cooked up information, religion, ethnicity, money and every deceit and instruments of suppression to rule with our help to the detriment of the world and its denizens.
A lesson that despots being the cause of terrible wars, loss of our precious freedom and imposing misery that not even the Corona epidemic has managed to teach the majority of people!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Quick resolution to narcotic cases
The Goa State forensic science laboratory has started conducting tests on drugs in the State, a development which will enable investigations to be taken to their logical conclusion in a time bound manner. The lab has already commenced pilot testing of psychotropic substances like ganja and charas. Earlier it used to take four months to receive final reports of drug samples sent for testing to Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Hyderabad but now the same would be managed in two months flat. Hard drugs like LSD, MDMA, cocaine and heroin can be detected even in minute traces now, giving a leg up to law enforcement authorities in tackling drug peddling and misuse.
Synthetic drugs brought in by foreigners and used mostly in raves and private parties were a challenge to detect and analyse but matters would be easier now given the in State laboratory. Hopefully this will go a long way in removing the stain and stench of drugs from our beautiful State.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Battle rages for Ukraine’s cities
Russian President Vladimir Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. By air, land, and sea, Russia has launched a devastating attack on Ukraine. It’s now clear that Russia is seeking to overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. These are terrifying times for the people of Ukraine and horrifying for the rest of the continent.
Russia is breaching international law and the UN charter by invading Ukraine. This crisis is a serious threat to the rules-based international order, with ramifications well beyond Europe. There is no justification for changing internationally recognised borders by force. This has fundamentally changed the Euro-Atlantic security situation. President Putin has re-introduced war to the European continent. He has put himself on the wrong side of history.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Carnival and Ukraine crisis
Goa is celebrating Carnival when Ukraine faces war. When one country faces blood bath is this the right time to celebrate Carnival? We all are human beings and on humanity basis and as a sign of support for Ukraine is this the right time to celebrate? Our Goan children are studying in that country.
We all must get together and pray for all our Indian students who are literally suffering over there. Pray for their safe return. Today the whole world is crying and praying for Ukraine. I would like to repeat myself; is this the right time to celebrate when the whole world faces the threat of nuclear attack.
Anita Fernandes, Verna
Need to reinforce the RTI Act
The Right to Information Act came into force on June 15, 2005 but for the last almost 17 years the greater challenge has been the actual implementation of the Act. Unless the RTI Act is further strengthened, good governance and transparency in the administration with zero tolerance to corruption will never be truly a reality.
As this Act aims at making the government transparent and more accountable, its effective use could pave the path of Good Governance. It has become a powerful tool in exposing corruption and maladministration at all levels of Governance.
Some bureaucrats had been conditioned to conceal and not to reveal information but this has changed with the RTI Act. Any attempt to dilute this transparency law should not be allowed and must be opposed. There is in fact a need to reinforce this law.
This Act must be a tool used by every individual to make an impact and bring about change. A properly worded RTI application with a Rs 10 Court fee stamp is all it takes. The Right to Information is a key component in the attainment of economic, social and political rights of an individual as well as the community at large. We all have to be ardent users of the RTI Act.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Russia loses in sports after invading Ukraine
Russia is paying a heavy price for invading Ukraine. Sports bodies moved quickly to strip it of events, with St Petersburg losing the Champions League final and Sochi the Formula One Grand Prix.
Besides, FIFA expelled Russia from the 2022 World Cup, and its teams were suspended from all international football competitions until further notice. The announcement also affects Russian clubs involved in European competitions. International Moscovite Daniil Medvedev’s top ranking in tennis has also come under a cloud after the Ukrainian Tennis Federation urged the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to expel Russia and Belarus from the organisation.
N J Ravi Chander,
Bengaluru
HC judgment a licence for mass defection
The Honourable High Court has finally decided the disqualification of 12 MLAs which will allow more defection and create instability in the functioning of the government as if two thirds MLAs quit it is as per law but I personally think that the Anti-defection law should be modified to strengthen the democratic process where voters feel dejected by the switchover to other parties when elected by the people on one party. Hence the two thirds law should be made applicable to bigger States and there should be different law to Goa and smaller north eastern States where two thirds switch-over should be banned.
Only then there will be no defections as Goa is father of all defections as most defections have taken place in Goa. Goa shows other States how to defect. Hence we find defections taking place in other States also because of the two thirds anti-defection law. The Honourable Courts have no option but give judgment as per the existing law which can be changed by the Parliament
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
