‘Maggot rice’ not even fit for animals
The saga of the maggot infested rice supplied through the fair price shops just refuses to die down, with this essential commodity given to the public through the network of Fair Price Shops again not fit for human consumption. This creates severe health hazards for the people.
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Barely four months back when this issue surfaced and was highlighted through the print and electronic media, one expected the situation to improve. But alas, the situation remains the same, if not worse. The so called enquiry initiated at the first instance about three months back, is still under wraps, with no suspensions forthcoming, as promised.
On being questioned by the reporters about the same, the Civil Supplies Minister has the audacity to say the pictures appearing in newspapers are old. The rice is not even fit for animal consumption and should be consigned to the dump yard or at the doorsteps of the persons responsible.
Lucas D’Souza, Verna
Oppn needs a multi-pronged approach
After the no-confidence against the Modi government is done, which the government is expected to sail through, it is important for the Opposition alliance to not just make Manipur the sole issue, but also focus on other issues. These include unemployment which is affecting livelihoods in a huge way. It cannot be denied that Manipur is very important as it borders on genocide/ ethnic cleansing but there are a host of other issues as well which the I N D I A alliance should focus and maintain as next year’s general elections approach so that a compelling narrative can be stitched together.
A multipronged challenge has to be presented (26 parties should set up task forces to tackle all issues) that draws its inspiration from grass root issues which also include access to education, water, housing (kids cannot learn if they do not have a roof over their heads) and healthcare.
On jobs, the government gloats about the fact that approximately 135 million have moved out of poverty. Without jobs, they may well slide back into poverty and as a consequence bring up malnourished and badly educated children. Their families cannot be blamed. It’s also sad that Goa’s joblessness rate is twice the national figure and yet the state government has no viable plan to rectify such a situation. What a shame!
Brian De Souza, Margao
One of cricket’s greats hangs his boots
Stuart Broad, who polished off the Australian tail, in its dramatic collapse on the last day of the final Test at The Oval, which enabled England draw level the Ashes series, walked into the sunset full of pride and racked by emotion. Broad ended his amazing cricket career as one of the finest-ever fast bowlers the world has seen. He was one half of the extraordinary partnership with James Anderson, as the duo has combined to take a mind-boggling 1039 Test wickets, spanning over 16 years, which redrew the barriers of longevity for fast bowlers. With 843 wickets across all formats, the lanky pacer ended his career as the second highest wicket-taker for England and the seventh highest overall in international cricket. Broad has left a lasting legacy that English cricket will cherish for years -be it his massive comeback after going through the horror of ‘six-balls-sixes hit’ by Yuvraj Singh or giving plenty of vital performances for his country against big nations of the game.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Karma always comes back full circle
The standard toolkit of the Centre when confronted with failure, is to set up toxic distractions for public consumption. It has been proved beyond doubt that the government by its acts of omission and commission has utterly failed to rein in the Manipur horror. With the CJI and their own party members passing scathing comments and public sentiment turning against it, the Centre allegedly stage managed the Nuh/ Gurgaon riots to divert attention from Manipur. It is inconceivable to think that with hundreds of battalions of paramilitary personnel and the army at its disposal, the government couldn’t control the violence. Right wing mob outfits such as the VHP and Bajrang Dal are allegedly given a free hand to target the minority community and indulge in arson and murder. It serves the interests of the saffron brigade just right ie divide and rule. The other ruse is to set up SITs, call in the CBI, set up judicial commissions etc to ‘probe’ such incidents, the first two have been reduced to being organs and cheerleaders of the sarkar so whatever report is generated at the conclusion of their purported investigations is nothing but a white-washing exercise giving a clean chit to the government. The judiciary too has been reduced to a handwringing bystander. All it can do is issue directives which the government cares two hoots about. The seeds of hate and bigotry which were planted in 2014 have sprouted to giant toxic weeds, the situation seems irredeemable now. But instigators would do well to remember that the fires they light to burn down the houses of others, shall one day consume their own homes. Karma always comes back full circle.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Root cause of most road accidents in Goa
Many people have lost their lives across Goa in serious road accidents from January 2023 till July 2023. The main reason for most road accidents in the state is because some people just do not know to concentrate and how to drive in Goa.
The second reason is due to free availability of alcohol every few metres, in Goa. For eg today, if one goes on a long drive in most villages of Goa (especially along the coastal belt) then one will practically not find hospitals, or pharmacies around, but hundreds of bars & liquor outlets (run by outsiders) every few metres, almost everywhere.
And since our government is not bothered to improve the public transport services, most people are seen using their own or hired vehicles to move around & in the bargain creating more chaos on our already congested roads.
The RTO officials too are seen accepting bribes. I therefore personally feel that until & unless the government of the day does not improve the public transport services; does not puts strict restrictions on the sale of liquor; indirectly encourages people to use their own two-/four-wheeler vehicles and until RTO officials stop malpractices, we Goans should not expect, nor dream of saving people’s lives or curbing road accidents even in the near future in Goa.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
