Between the devil and the deep blue sea
As Russia pummelled Ukraine with missiles, rockets and heavy artillery, explosions tore through its residential areas and killed an Indian student who had stepped out to buy groceries besides injuring many others. Many students and civilians have hunkered down in bunkers for the past week to take shelter from the fire and fury raining down from the skies, but they are at their wit’s end now. If they step out to make a dash for the Western borders and thence to other countries, they risk being killed by the Russian army, if they don’t, they run the plausible risk of dying of starvation.
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With supplies running short and no one being permitted to leave the shelters, the impacted don’t have access to basics like food, water or medicines. Many of the Indian students are subsisting on only one slice of bread a day washed down with water. Most shops in Ukraine are closed, the power supply is down and only the local currency is being accepted, making things doubly difficult even for those who come from relatively well off backgrounds.
The Indian government is only busy holding ‘high level’ meetings about their plight but precious little is being done to get them out.
To add insult to injury, a BJP minister recently proclaimed that a majority of those who had gone abroad to study had actually done so because they had failed the NEET exam at home; even the PM had questioned as to why students went to ‘small’ countries to study, he exhorted the young to study in India (vocal for local anyone?). The gentlemen perhaps are unaware that there are at least 200 candidates competing for a single medical seat in the country.
India’s ambiguous stand and abstention from the UN meet for condemning the Russian invasion has made things worse for our citizens in conflict zones.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim.
The show must go on
With great pride I want to recognise and truly admire the unity and determination of Velsaokars for their stand against the double tracking giving a tough fight to the illegalities of South Western Railways.
The most disappointing fact overall is to realise that the spark that was ignited by Chandorkars has literally died due to lack of unity and dedication towards the love of our environment. Some joined the movement with personal motives to contest elections and some for their own personal gains concluding the fight to compromise and were lured to settle for a bounty offered by SWR officials.
When the People stand up for their rights what is SWR not even the Administration cannot stop them, knowing we as the People have the power to stop illegal advances through the right channels.
Panchayat Act being Supreme which supercedes even the Railway Act and can be used against the illegal work carried out by the SWR has not been followed up by some of our Village Panchayats which is a clear example of Velsao Panchayat proving that it is still possible to put a stop to these destructive projects carried out against the Law despite the report drafted stating the negative impact on the environment by the Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) constituted by the Supreme Court.
So where is all that aggression that was dictating the victory against the fight to save our environment? Elections are over so the ones who had the motive to contest have they already laid down their arms? Don’t let the monsters win, there are still a few Soldiers with integrity amongst us who are holding on to their dreams of saving the environment don’t let the fire die, let’s follow the example of our Velsao Heroes because the Show must go on.
Savio D’Costa, Chandor
Sanitation and proper hygiene in schools
It is learnt that all government schools in Goa will now be assessed in sanitation and hygiene practices adopted by them as part of the central government’s ambitious ‘Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar’ initiative. This award has been instituted by the Ministry of Education Government of India in order to recognise and inspire excellence in sanitation and hygiene practice in schools. The key objective of the initiative is reportedly to have sustainable, child-friendly hand-washing and sanitation facilities in schools besides adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
There also needs to be sufficient round-the-clock availability of water supply in the government schools. This is a step in the right direction as unhygienic practices in schools can result in the spread of various types of water-borne diseases among the students. However, the aim of the schools in carrying out proper sanitation and hygienic practices should not be just to gain recognition. It should be a regular practice by school authorities to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation throughout the academic year. School children need to grow in a clean environment.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Don’t underestimate people’s power
This has reference to the report ‘Gherao defectors, teach them a lesson….& Defectors do not underestimate people’s power’ (Herald, Match 2, 2022).
It is encouraging to see the Christian community slowly waking up to the political developments in the country. Recently, the Archbishop of Bangalore spoke up boldly against harassment of Christians in Karnataka in recent times. It is even more encouraging to note that the clergy in Goa delivering political discourse from the pulpit. We have seen how in recent times priests in Goa have been urging the people, in their sermons, to wake up, take note of what is happening around them and become active in politics.
It’s time the clergy in other cities like Mumbai shed their inhibitions and speak up against injustice. Even more bolder, are the statements of the two priests who have spoken up against defection, asking people to now teach defectors a lesson.
The initiative undertaken by your newspaper also needs to be appreciated. Referring to the recent High Court judgment in favour of the defectors, the news report alongside, rightly states, there is an even bigger court the people’s court. Yes, the ‘People’s Court’ that is Democracy is all about putting our elected representatives on trial!
Let our politicians not underestimate the power of the people. Long Live our Democracy.
Melville X. D’Souza, Mumbai
Listen to your voice, purify your hearts
With reference to Adelmo Fernandes’s piece “Fasting – it is about changing our hearts” (Herald March 2, 2022).
In his piece full of lucid prose Adelmo Bab has nicely explained the significance of Ash Wednesday. He deserves kudos for this. Why do we fast? Why should we fast? What is the real significance of fasting? Any healthy human being can survive without food and water for 12 to 14 hours.
But is it enough? Does this serve the real purpose? Fasting is to reconnect with our God and to strengthen our faith in him. Fasting is not about body alone. It is about listening to our inner voice and purifying our heart of all the unwanted thoughts and intentions.
Life is not eternal. One day we all will perish. We are dust and to dust we shall return. Remember this. Please stop sinning. The world needs prayers, fasts, pleas for forgiveness of our sins and commitment to the noble deeds. Ash Wednesday is a timely reminder. It is a wake-up call before it is too late.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
