Raj Bhavan under RTI Act
The announcement by Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai that he is ready to bring the Goa Raj Bhavan within the ambit of the Right to Information Act was great news for our State on Gandhi Jayanti.
This will end the needless protracted litigation which is now pending before the Supreme Court after having commenced before our High Court,
For over a decade the Goa Raj Bhavan has not been submitting itself to this Transparency law by claiming that it is not a ‘Public Authority’ despite all other Raj Bhavans across the country and even the Rashtrapati Bhavan being under the purview of RTI Act which was enacted to ensure Transparency and Accountability in Governance.
The move now by Governor Pillai is most appropriate while sending a powerful message on the need of a citizen-centric approach of transparency, openness and accountability in governance. This would be in the best interests of the democratic principles and the Constitutional mandate of the RTI Act.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Drug menace dangerous for youth
The arrest of a famous film star’s son and his companions by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), from a cruise ship in Mumbai, on charges of drugs usage and trafficking pin points to the flow of such materials unhindered, into the hands of those who want it. It also points out to the nexus of the rich and some in the film world with drug traders who get these materials for them illegally by hook or by crook.
The present arrest and interrogation is sure to expose such links. It is shocking that the youth fall addicted to such fatal materials and ruin their life. We have already seen drugs playing destructive role in the life of many of our film stars some even succumbing to it. Money, name, fame and influence of big wigs in the political and entertainment field are often used to hide up such cases and it is made to fade in the long run.
It is really shocking that people from all walks of life, regardless of age, profession and background fall victims to drug abuse. In most of these cases we find very young people getting nabbed for either possessing or trafficking the materials and often the main sources and the suppliers absconding.
The NCB has been successful many a time for busting drug rackets and their bold steps to nab some as in the present case is laudable. At the same time more steps have to be taken by the concerned government agencies and the law and order department to nab those really behind this dangerous trade.
M Pradyu, Kannur
World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day, which is also known as International Teachers’ Day, is held every year on October 5 to honour teachers across the world and to recognise their contributions towards education and development. Many cultural events are held on this day (or a day around this date if necessary to avoid school holidays) to emphasise the importance of teachers and learning and to raise the profile and increase the awareness and understanding of the teaching profession and its importance.
World Teachers’ Day was first held in the year 1994 at the initiative of UNESCO and has been observed every year since.
Teachers play a very significant role in the life of every student as this is the day when students give tribute to their teachers, mentors and guides of life. In every school and college, this day is celebrated with utmost zest and students prepare various types of extra curricular activities like poems, skits, speeches and other creative programmes to thank their teachers for their valuable learnings they have been given.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Mandhana walks into record books
Turbans off to Smriti Mandhana on scripting history Down Under in the historical women’s Day-Night match against Australia at Carrara. Smriti walked into the record books by becoming the first Indian woman to hit a century in Day-Night Tests and the first Indian woman to reach three figures in Tests on Australian soil.
The flamboyant opener’s knock of 127 had put the visitors in a sound position. But with the inclement weather the Test ended in a draw.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Punam’s gesture, a lesson for cricketers
Cricket has come a long way from the “true spirit” of the game. These days sportsmanship spirit is only relative to the game. The cricket world has seen plenty of fiercely competitive players who played for themselves and for the team. When a batter is adjudicated “out” by an umpire, and when no decision review system (DRS) is in place, he/she has no other alternative but to trudge back to the pavilion.
Expressing displeasure or not is the prerogative of a player provided the batter knows he/she may have to cough up a heavy fine. Many Indian men’s team batsmen have shown pristine honesty in their ways on the field.
But Indian women’s team player Punam Raut stood out by walking when she nicked an Australian bowler to the wicket-keeper, and the bowler’s appeal was turned over by the on-field umpire in the second pink ball test match between India and Australia at Queensland. Punam could have stayed put; she had scored a patient 36 of 165 deliveries. She may or may not have glanced at the umpire. Or, the umpire might have taken his time to arrive at a sagacious decision.
Punam went by her conscience, and did not wait, much to the surprise of the Australian players. Even the commentators, and a couple of Australian cricket greats, were taken aback by Punam’s gesture. Walking out of the pitch, when given not out, is almost unheard of in its cricketing history. When the DRS was not in vogue, it was not unusual for past Australian men cricket “greats” to question the umpire.
Punam’s conscientious decision has won her admirers. It goes without saying that those who believe that cricket has to be played in the true spirit of the game will applaud the player’s decision, others will not. It is not easy, it needs a lot of courage to leave the field like that especially when one’s place may not be secure in the team.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Why was film shooting allowed on Sunday?
It is learnt that residents of Panjim, especially the parishioners were reportedly inconvenienced on Sunday evening due to a film shooting that took place on the road in front of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception church. Parishioners accused bouncers of blocking their way when they headed to the church to attend the Sunday evening mass. There was also a loud blast that saw a car go up in flames which disturbed the residents in the vicinity. The question that arises is even though the shooting was on the road near the church was permission of the parish priest taken for the shooting?
The scene is akin to that on the beach and even migrant hawkers are seen selling trinkets. Several lovers are seen on the steps which present an awkward sight to those attending the services including children. Some migrants also have an afternoon siesta on the church steps. The church authorities seem powerless to stop these activities. The steps leading to the church is not public property, but belongs to the church. It becomes a sore sight for the general public.
The church is not a tourist attraction but a place of devotion. It would be in the fitness of things for the church authorities to barricade off the steps. A couple of gaps in the railing could be kept open as entrance and exit points for devotees. Desperate situations call for desperate measures.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
