More family bonding during pandemic
This has reference to the report ‘Parenting during Covid times is not child’s play’ (Herald Feb 2). When the lockdown was first imposed in view of the pandemic in 2020, our world was in chaos. The world was turned upside down. Suddenly, our home, whether a sprawling bungalow or a spacious 1-2-3 bedroom flat or even just a small poky room or shanty, had been turned into an office & school & a place of worship or an entertainment zone. In short, our home was our world, it was the only place to be in.
As time went by of course, the consequences were bad and good. Bad in the sense that all family members were holed up in the house 24×7. The good point is, that family life, especially parenting has taken on a whole new dimension. There was more family time, more bonding. Parents were able to monitor their children and cater to their emotional and other needs. Of course, many had lost their livelihood or their salaries were downsized. But one of the biggest fallout of these lockdowns has been the loss of formal education.
Children soon began to lose interest in online studies and their minds began to wander, showing irritable shades of behaviour. This had posed a new, big challenge to parents. Parenting was never an easy job and this pandemic has only made it all the more difficult and complicated. However, patience and a little more understanding could certainly help tide over this situation.
In the meanwhile, there seems to be another fallout and that is, the Home had become a common place of worship. Instead of attending services physically at different times of the day, the family was now coming together to attend services all at the same time, as one united family. One can only hope however, that the situation gets back to normal soon.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Don’t be complacent
The third wave of Covid-19 has knocked on our doors and the World Health Organisation is repeatedly warning all nations against taking Omnicron lightly and is urging the countries officials to expand vaccination coverage.
There is no room for complacency and lowering the guard. Parents should get their children, between 15 to 18 years vaccinated and people above 60 with comorbidities should surely get the booster dose.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Comprehensive study on immunity needed
A comprehensive study detailing the extent of those who have received one dose, two doses, one booster dose and two booster doses and despite that gone on to contract Covid-19 has to be made public so that a honest assessment of the degree of anti-bodies and T-cells in those vaccinated has been ascertained. A calibrated study base on data available has to be undertaken.
Vaccine immunity may not be the only way out of preventing infections, hospitalisations and death and so from the records of those who have been vaccinated to various degrees it has to be assessed whether 10%, 15% and even 20% of those that have been vaccinated have gone on to contract Covid-19.
Common sense says that vaccination without any attempt to boost the immunity otherwise such as natural immunity by physical exercising or exertion may reduce the percentage of those who have received various degrees of vaccine doses from succumbing to infections, hospitalisation and death. It would in fact assist experts and scientists to analyse the contribution of physical exertion to the extent which it bolsters protection to falling prey to varying degrees.
Age-wise study would lead to greater understanding of immunity. It appears that merely vaccination cannot afford guaranteed protection from infection, hospitalisation and death.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Show respect for the National Flag
Our National Flag is a symbol of the nation’s pride and respect. There is liberal use of the flag on Independence Day and Republic Day. There is a new trend of selling flags made of paper and plastic, which is incorrect. With a sense of national pride, people enthusiastically buy such flags but the very next day, we find them being trampled upon on roads and thrown into dustbins. By allowing this to happen, people forget that they are insulting the flag. Such insult to the flag should not be allowed.
Often, these flags are burnt along with the garbage. It is the duty of every Indian citizen to maintain proper respect towards their National Flag. We also see people waving the National Flag proudly during national, cultural and sporting events. However, once the programme or the event gets over, we see the flags strewn all over the place. This disrespect towards our flag must be stopped.
Even when the national anthem is being played on radio or on television, people don’t stand still and sing along. They are busy cooking in the kitchen or are busy talking on their mobile phones. As Indians, we should respect our country’s national flag, national anthem and national song.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Budget, a bitter pill to swallow
Budget 2023 has again disappointed the salaried class, pensioners and employees in the organised sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman kept the income tax slabs unchanged while allowing taxpayers two years to update their returns.
One may recall that income slab rates have remained unchanged for nearly a decade, with the middle class bearing the brunt of taxation. With the value of the rupee depreciating every year, this is a bitter pill to swallow.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Margao’s ultra modern bus terminus project
Madganvkars and Saxttikars are waiting for the ultra-modern bus terminus project at KTC bus stand, Margao South Goa. It has been more than 10 yrs ago since the foundation stone laid by MLA Digambar Kamat on Dussehra Day on October 2011. Government then promised to take up the project with central funding but had neither taken it seriously nor given any importance. The BJP government has started and completed many new bus stand projects at many places in Goa but has failed to build new ultra modern bus Terminus project at KTC Margao which was a need of the hour.
Margao bus stand is a main bus stand where number of buses come from different directions from various villages and cities. The public and bus driver should get various facilities.
Hope the Margao and Fatorda MLAs along with the next government start the project work as soon as possible to make the dream come true. Only empty promises will not work all the time.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Preserve nature’s resources
Birds of a certain kind occupy all portions of the earth inhabited by mankind. This shows that man is never without his bird associates. Birds are active by the day, and attract attention by their size, colour, voice and movements. In the Covid-induced spring last year, people had time to open their windows to listen to the symphony of birds. Swallows burbled, doves cooed, and sparrows chirped.
For nature lovers, enervated by the Coronavirus and the lockdown challenges, the music of these passerine performers was a great source of joy. It is said that times of disruptions tend to lead to big transitions. The Covid-19 cessation has given people a glimpse into what the world might look like if we live sustainably and conserve nature’s resources.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
