Food security in Sri Lanka
Even in this technological world in the 21st century, humans cannot eat money and gadgets to quench their thirst and hunger. This statement is not just self-explanatory or not just an inference. This has been the fact and in other words, physical activities, agriculture and other farming operations should always be encouraged.
The East or the West, countries like the US, Australia and continents like Asia cannot brush aside agriculture anymore because people out there have been getting their food and eatables only from agricultural activities. This is also true of Russia that has been ruthlessly involved in the war against Ukraine, destroying the latter’s ecosystem, humans and economy mindlessly – thereby disturbing the global economy unnecessarily. Here comes a big sad story of the economic crisis Sri Lanka has been facing now.
First off, the people in Sri Lanka have been reeling from severe economic shocks caused by various factors including a failed regime. Unable to bear the brunt of the current economic crisis, people in Sri Lanka have been shunning their meals at least once or twice a day – even avoiding tea and coffee to save money.
On the other hand, this current poor situation may lead to numerous humanitarian crises from violence to hunger deaths to suicidal attempts to child crisis to threats to women’s safety – if allowed to continue. The Sri Lankan government apart, the international community, neighbouring Asian countries and the UN should send their assistance to Sri Lanka in the form of food items immediately.
As a matter of fact, backed by water sources and rigorous agricultural activities, my native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu have been home to bananas, paddy, betels and other food crops. Only such rigorous agricultural activities and people’s hard work will pave the way for strong food security and economic growth.
In this context, the UN, some other Asian representatives and global farm experts should visit Sri Lanka now to take stock of the situation and share their ideas and strategies with the island nation regarding how to strengthen the local agriculture in the next few months.
P. Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai
India should exercise caution
There is a news in the air that Indian army has landed in Sri Lanka to help the ruling dispensation in containing the legitimate agitation of the people of the Island nation against the government for its failure on many counts, mainly it’s failure to arrest the economic downturn leading to unprecedented inflation, shortage of food, fuel, high cost of all essential items and power cut for more than 13 hours a day. The people have called the rulers, the Rajapaksa brothers dictators and want the government to resign and go.
Though the High Commission of India and the Army Chief of Sri Lanka have denied any such move from India, if ever it happens in the future also, it will be the unkindest cut of all against the people of Sri Lanka who are suffering the worst economic meltdown in the history of their nation under this most unpopular government. People of Sri Lanka are worried about this news and have started asking, “Will there be smoke without any fire?”
At this juncture, India should not forget how the intelligent but cunning J.R. Jayawardene, former President of Sri Lanka camouflaged our former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to deploy our own army (IPKF) to hit the LTTE and our Tamil people in the North, in the garb of establishing peace in the country.
We know what followed after the IPKF landed in the North and how finally, we lost a highly promising future Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in an unpardonable terror attack.
India should stop with extending humanitarian support to the suffering masses of Sri Lanka and should never support the ruling dispensation who have proved beyond doubt that they are unfit to rule the country on account of all their serious commissions and omissions.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
Lanka in dire straits
The protests in Sri Lanka over its worst economic crisis show that the island nation is in dire straits. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a 36-hour nationwide lockdown to stall the country-wide protests on Sunday. The worsening economic and energy crisis caused by a shortage of foreign exchange has resulted in long hours of power outages and scarcity of essentials. Meanwhile, India ferried a consignment of 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel to mitigate the spike in power cuts in the island nation. But it would take some time for Sri Lanka to emerge out of the woods.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Women’s representation completely missing
The Government of Goa has finally named its state cabinet members, and announced key portfolio allocations. A jarring fact – the new cabinet is an all-in-all man, with not even one woman member representing, slightly less than 50% of the population. Even the Ministry of Women and Children, is held by a male member in a cabinet where some members hold up to five portfolios. India fares extremely poorly on the gender indices but higher decision-making engagement by women in politics, can have substantial impact on reducing gender disparity. As a country and state we can take a leaf out of Rwanda, the first country to achieve a female majority in parliament, with 61.3% in the Chamber of Deputies and 38.5% in the Senate.
Goa, despite being a safer, more liberal state for women, has a lot to achieve in terms of developing women entrepreneurs, creating meaningful opportunities for women, investment in health, nutrition and emotional well-being especially of mothers, and increased public safety.
To develop women’s presence in government, Goa needs a concrete plan backed by intention, commitment, investment and action, so that women’s voices are adequately represented, and their unique needs get the attention they deserve.
Merril Diniz, Fatorda
Standing apart
The scenes from every holocaust are harrowing there are no winners, just a few survivors and so much destruction. In a world where selfless-ness is at its nadir, Giri- Kumar Patil stands apart. It is astonishing to know that he has opted to stay with his pets in a war-ravaged Ukraine.
Probably, Patil considers his love for mute creatures dearer than his own life. Vladimir Putin and his contingent of fighters have to learn compassion and love for fellow citizens from Patil and shed his ego, which is a double-edged sword, with inner edge destroying the purity and outer edge the popularity all this speaks eloquently about the need for harmony in this world between animals and humans.
It is shameful that although the pandemic brought all countries on the same level in 2021, some countries still boast of their superiority.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Complete ban on plastic bags
There is no doubt that it is almost impossible for a country to impose a complete ban on plastic bags when they are used in such large quantities and that too everyday. Yet, something must be done to curb the use of plastic bags as they are catastrophic for the world.
First, people should be made aware of the hazards of these bags and should be encouraged to use alternatives. The government could also make plastic bags more expensive to discourage people from using them.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
