Remove gutka ads from KTC buses
It is really astonishing to observe the Kadamba buses of the Goa government advertising gutka which is a harmful product. If taken regularly, it causes life threatening disease such as cancer which has no cure. The government by advertising the tobacco product may get revenue but indirectly it is promoting the tobacco product with the help of famous Mega Hindi film stars who the people of Goa and India see as idols and hence the younger generation emulate them. Youngsters think that actors are also using the same but they seldom consume the product but make money and hoodwink the public thus putting lives at risk. Hence the government should withdraw the advertisement on the Kadamba buses to save the lives of Goans, especially children who will be addicted to this tobacco vice just like smoking.
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I hope NOTE, the organisation against use of tobacco takes cognizance of the advertisement and acts as per the law of the land to ban such advertisement which had caused agony and threat to the Indian families whose members have been diagnosed with cancer and are unable to procure medicines which are beyond the reach of common man.
Better late than never. I am happy that the teachers who attended the state level workshop against substance abuse among students organised by Goa State Commission of Protection of child raised the issue that advertisement of gutka on Kadamba buses should be withdrawn immediately as this advertisement has put to risk the lives of many children.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Is this how the largest democracy functions?
This has reference to the report ‘Nephew Ajit’s ‘Pawar’ play stumps uncle Sharad’ (O Heraldo July 3, 2023).
Yet another disgusting scenario has played out in the political field, this time in Maharashtra. To say the least, it is not only a mockery, but rather a murder of the democratic system in our country — a betrayal of the voters’ trust.
It’s high time, the Anti-Defection Law is amended in such a way that no defections can take place, without the risk of disqualification, irrespective of the numbers. With the exception of course, if the whole party merges with another party. It is then up to the electorate to decide their fate. But this dance of democracy must come to an end. We have witnessed enough of this nonsense. Is this how the world’s largest democracy functions? We need some stability in our political system. Let the voters deliver the final judgement!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Put warning boards at water bodies
It is learnt that the state is bracing for a significant escalation in the rainfall activity over the next four days, causing the weather department to issue alerts and cautionary advice to citizens. It is common knowledge that the sea is out of bounds for the visitors to the beach who would want to go swimming. The rough sea and high waves makes it extremely dangerous even to go for a dip. Hence, during the rainy season people prefer to go to the rivers, lakes and other water bodies including the base of the waterfall for a fresh water bath.
It must be said that in the rains all water-bodies are equally dangerous. There have been instances of drowning in lakes, rivers, ponds and at the waterfalls reported in the past. Unlike the beaches, there are no lifeguards at these water-bodies to warn the people of the dangers or to carry out rescue operations, in case of any eventuality. Hence visitors to these water-bodies need to exercise extra caution and not go for a swim as the water level rises significantly in the rains. At the waterfalls, there can be a sudden heavy gush of water. It would be in the fitness of things for the local authorities to put up sign-boards warning the visitors not to venture into the water at the various water bodies as it can prove extremely dangerous.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
England’s Bazball strategy a failure
Australia won the 2nd Ashes Test at Lords. Since they are now 2-0 up in the series, it will bring into question the Bazball strategy of England in their approach to Test cricket. McCullum as the England coach may be on his way out since, except for the rearguard action by Ben Stokes in scoring a scintillating 150 & more, England would have been in the manger looking for a bone where there was none. We need to respect Test cricket and give it its due, not let it degenerate into a game somewhere between a T20 & an ODI match.
That’s what happened with England in the 2nd Test, when while batting they overplayed the hook shots and had set batsmen out to irresponsible shots. This encouraged Australia to resort to short pitched, to the body bowling like bodyline. England continued this strategy in the Australian 2nd innings leading to the debacle at the end. Test cricket has to be respected, which is the only way cricket as a game will survive. All cricket playing countries need to understand that.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Prices of essential commodities skyrocket
The surging prices of vegetables and fruits are hitting the common man badly, making them shell out more money, thus hurting the household budgets. The retail vendors claim that they are getting the commodities at high price. The prices have doubled, making the buyers worry. This situation has severely impacted the lower-middle class families. But those in power are pretending to be asleep. The government seems to have done very little in terms of regulating prices. The government talks most promisingly about the ‘common man’s agenda’ when it comes to lapping up votes, but fails in times of real crisis. It is a case of the poor remaining poor, and the rich getting richer.
Even the tax laws favour the rich, those in the salaried class suffer the most because they pay high income tax and in return get little. The prices seem to be heading for the roof. From food to water, LPG, petrol, diesel, everything has becoming unreachable for the common man. What happened to all the promises they made prior to election? It is high time they delivered what they had promised. All this stems from the Central government’s inability to curtail prices at the grassroots level. This is quite a return gift to all those who voted for leaders who are now in power.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Goa high-end tourism!
The Goa Government particularly the Chief Minister reiterated recently, that the intent is to make Goa a destination for high-end tourism. I fully agree with the Chief Minister on the latter intent but can it be done with ‘low end’ ruling politicians’ mentality? The calibre, education, speaking abilities, articulation, maturity and character of some politicians is allegedly of a very low grade; with major scams and charges of serious against their name !
Just visit the basics such as fruit, vegetable, fruit, meat markets, bus stations, beach areas, polluted water bodies, garbage dumps, filthy eateries and restaurants, state of the roads etc and one can see what an absolute mess they are in. Will high-end tourists come to Goa to see such things? Not to mention, the rapid destruction of water bodies, trees, hills, forests which is destroying the beauty of Goa and creating major issues such as flooding, pollution, water scarcity etc.
I request the Chief Minister before making statements such as the need to set up a Marina to attract high-end tourists, to please look at the basics and I am sure we can all agree that if the basics are in place, that will be enough to make Goa appealing to high-end tourists!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
