Crack down on illegal roadside parking
It is learnt that the Vasco Traffic Cell has appealed to the people to refrain from parking their cars along the highway while warning that the department will be launching a drive against wrong parking and abandoned cars.
It is observed that many vehicles are parked along the highway between Varnapuri and Dabolim Airport on either side. This can prove dangerous for pedestrians and drivers as well. Incidentally, many road accidents have been reported along this road. Parking on most streets in the State is haphazard. People park their vehicles at any location and in any direction. Most streets lack footpaths and when cars are parked on the road shoulder, pedestrians are forced to walk on the road which can prove dangerous. Roadside parking along narrow roads can also lead to traffic congestion since vehicle parking by the roadside has resulted in free flow of traffic being hit. It is this indiscriminate parking that is holding up the traffic on many stretches. There needs to be rigid control and zero tolerant enforcement of parking rules as it could be an immediate solution that will bring some respite to the motorists.
Vehicles illegally parked along the roadside need to be clamp locked or towed to the police station and the violators should be fined appropriately.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Solemn and spiritual All Souls Day
Attended by a large crowd consisting of the young and the old, All Souls Day was observed with reverence and solemnity at St Inez Cemetery in Panjim. A solemn Mass was celebrated accompanied by a choir that with renditions of spiritualistic lyrical songs marked the occasion. This year the graves were beautifully decorated with carnations, roses, marigolds and flowers of various other hues probably some of those colourfully decorated graves depicted the happy occasions during the lifetime of the dear departed, parents, spouses, brothers, sisters, colleagues and friends with whom one reminisced of the good and happy times. Beautiful purple hearts and crosses dotted the decorated graves. After the Mass, the faithful were seen paying homage to their dear departed by reciting the Rosary and prayers meant for this solemn occasion which added to the eerie surrealist atmosphere that is observed every year on November 2. The cemetery was the convergence of the faithful who marked this solemn occasion commemorating and reciting prayers for those who left for their eternal heavenly abode.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
A welcome move for all
The Goa Government led by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has taken yet another firm decision. Goa, being a tourism-centred region, attracts large numbers of tourists, both domestic and international. As per the order dated October 31, the Department of Tourism will enforce heavy fines for the menace created on beaches. Hawking, begging, touting, cooking and drinking in open places will now attract heavy fines. This is a welcome move for all of us.
For so many years, this nuisance was neglected. During the 80s and 90s, foreign tourists would often revisit it, thus putting our Goa on the world tourism map. This timely move by the government will be a boon to the tourism industry. Such steps by the authorities will ensure a clean environment and promote good practices on the beaches in Goa. This move comes in conjunction with the newly-launched grievance cell by the Chief Minister’s office. Any lax efforts in enforcement can always be raised and taken care of.
Strict implementation needs coordinated efforts from the competent authorities to make it a success. Other nuisance like garbage thrown on roads, tourists ripped off by local taxi operators and pothole-ridden roads also need to be addressed. Surrounding the beaches, the local bodies should provide garbage bins in all residential areas, and improve the collection system which will mitigate the garbage thrown on roads. App-based taxis will definitely address the ruckus created by local taxis. If they are not happy with other app-based taxi players, they should launch their own apps! That can bring transparency and do a lot of good for all. I truly welcome this decision of the government. Let us all hope this will bear fruits.
Vaman Sankhalker, Harvalem
Stop ‘nuisance’ on beaches
The Tourism Department is pretending to be concerned about the welfare of tourists in Goa by declaring certain activities on the beach a ‘nuisance’. Declaring is one thing, doing is something else. For some years now jet skis and motor boats have zoomed up and down parallel to beaches terrifying swimmers; gallons of fuel for boats are left unattended on the beach in the scorching sun; cattle are allowed to wander the beaches and seek food in-between sun beds; dogs scavenge in packs; people smoke on the beach and in shacks strewing their cigarette butts all over the sand. I could go on but what would be the point? All these have been declared ‘nuisances’ in the past but unless something is done to stop this, the ‘nuisance’ will continue.
Dranreb Aclos, UK
Morbi Bridge collapse
As a citizen of India, I would like to know why the Morbi Bridge in Gujarat, which was shut for seven months for repairs, was reopened on October 26, the Gujarati New Year without a fitness certificate from the civic authorities. Will the civic authorities of Gujarat and the Gujarat Government provide an answer?
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
They wrote him off, now he won
As wishes still keep pouring in after Rishi Sunak won the race of becoming UK’s first Asian, Indian by origin, and youngest Prime Minister, in 200 years. This is the historic, as Sunak took over the topmost office, as a young brown man, a top most scholar, a banker, a law maker, full of merits, and the wealthiest young man in Britain.
Rishi Sunak celebrated the festival of lights at 10 Downing Street, while Liz Trust dropped out in not less than 45 days.
It is believed that Rishi Sunak as a Chancellor during the period of the pandemic, ruled out as finance minister, passed a scheme known as Furlough. This furlough wages helped over 10 million people in UK to meet the cost of living during the crucial time, and this brought about relief to the helpless and stressed out citizens in the UK.
This quality of humanity was sown in his heart, and his deeply rooted love for others more than himself got him today to his victory.
He will work hard to calm the stormy sea of inflation that keeps the people of UK worried and disturbed. They are worried about the future of their children and the young generation, as many questioned are unanswered.
As Sunak did well all the way through as Chancellor, surely he will work day in and out to rebuild the UK.
Jane Fernandes, Oxel
