Develop Bondla Zoo
It is learnt that the State’s lone Bondla Zoo is likely to welcome a new pair of tigers this year. The new pair will be procured from a rescue centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The tigers will reportedly be brought in exchange for a pair of bison. Bondla Zoo lost its earlier pair of tigers to old age. Bondla Zoo needs to be further developed by introducing a wider variety of wild animals and birds. The zoo should become one of the main tourist attractions with animals like lion, fox, cheetah, different varieties of birds, elephant, alligator, bear, deer, etc. including exotic birds. In several States in the country the zoo happens to be a must visit spot for tourists. However, a visit to the Bondla Zoo may not be in the itinerary of most tourists. The Bondla Zoo needs to be developed on the lines of the zoo at Shivamogga in Karnataka. The safari here is very good and one is sure to spot a few wild cats and deer varieties. The mini zoo has a good set of animals and keeps visitors occupied. A zoo is a place to show children the wildlife and importance of nature. In this zoo the wild animals are left in the open and people can see them from close quarters while on a safari in a bus which is protected by iron grills. Bondla Zoo needs to be one of the main attractions for tourists.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Golmaal in govt jobs in K’taka
The expose of alleged irregularities and corruption in the ongoing process to recruit police sub-inspectors has again brought to the fore the rotten recruitment system in Karnataka government departments. But without accusations of corruption or irregularities in the past two decades holds a mirror to dubious practices and a flawed system. Greed and selfishness are the root cause for corruption. While selfishness can be detected in early stages, greed finds a fertile ground to grow in an environment where money and wealth can be amassed via illegal ways. The system has ruptured. The government must make serious efforts to end corruption. Otherwise, youth will lose faith in the system. The political parties, politicians and bureaucrats should not interfere in the recruitment process.
K. G. Vilop, Chorao
Goa no longer a preferred destination
The Goa government over the years has been needlessly squandering crores of rupees on road shows across the world to promote Goa as a tourist destination. If it had cared to improve the crumbling infrastructure, Goa would have sold by itself. In the current sordid state of affairs with garbage strewn all over even on the beaches infested with stray dogs and cattle, the high-end decent tourists will not care to step in.
To decongest our roads the government should have gone all out to improve the public transport system which would have encouraged more people to use it.
The authorities must also look into the current pathetic state of our bus terminals which act as an entry point for many tourists. Proper toilet facilities should have been provided with focus on cleanliness and all round sanitation. There is a need for proper illumination for the safety of passengers travelling after sunset and early morning.
Haphazard planning, improper sanitation and the uncontrollable stray animal menace are projecting Goa in bad light. Goa now branded as the gambling capital has become a very safe haven for narcotic trade and prostitution. The increase in crimes has further made our once serene Goa, now a very unsafe destination.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Lynching by goons
One again the Bajrang Dal and BJP lumpens have lynched two tribal men on suspicion of cow slaughter and another person is said to be serious and fighting for life due to the brutal attack on them by these goons.
It is an open secret that lynching has become a common affair ever since the BJP came to power at the Centre and beating people to death in the name of cow a regular feature conducted by these inhuman animals emboldened by the tacit- support they receive at the hands of the powers that be. Isn’t it a shame that we are lynching people in the garb of protecting the cows? Does it mean that the life of a human being is nothing when compared to that of a cow? Even if cow slaughter is banned in a State like MP, who are these brutes to take law unto their hands and lynch those suspected of cow slaughter when there are other legal avenues to decide on such matters?
I only wonder what reply our Prime Minister speaking high of the values of our nation and seeking more of their investments into our country would give if any of the foreign press raises the question of such highly condemnable, horrendous and heinous crimes frequently committed in the name cow by these religious fanatics?
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Chance lost
When it was said that the celebrated poll strategist Prashant Kishor was on the brink of being inducted into the Congress, he is said to have “refused” the offer. He has gone on record that the Congress wanted him to become a part of the “Empowered Action Group, 2024”, and that he rejected the proposal. He had meetings with Sonia Gandhi in the presence of top party leaders. Kishor asked for a “free-hand”; an unpalatable demand for the old guard of the party. He was keen on reporting only to Sonia without being part of a large group of sycophants.
Well, he should have known that he was asking for moon in a party full of loyalists—–loyalists to the name ‘Gandhi’. There are reports that he had pitched for Priyanka Gandhi as party president although he later rubbished the news. Even otherwise, Priyanka as party chief would have meant cold shouldering the veteran party leaders. It goes without saying that many senior leaders were reluctant to see Kishor hog the limelight in the party, including the “G–23 letter writers”.
If a newcomer gets a major say in the all-important polls , where will the “rebels” go? This means Sonia is going overboard to keep the old guard in good humour. For what? And, for how long? It is unfortunate that knowing that politics is about winning elections, the Congress’ supreme leader is still dilly dallying to deliver the knockout punch.
Although it is important to hear all sections of the party, it can safely be said that Sonia Gandhi has lost a golden opportunity to sound, and act, different for the sake of the party. It is vital for the Congress to win some elections, and Kishor looked like the last hope for the party to win from where it could build upon.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Testing time in trains over
It has been a regular feature in passenger trains that a section of the crowd sits and chit chats in a compartment and disturbs others for quite a long time in long distance trains. Some resort to drinking and playing cards at odd times. Many times the travelling couple are disturbed and they look for shifts in seats with the help of the ticket checker and other Samaritans.
The Railway Ministry would like to put an end to such nuisance. It has issued a new set of rules to ensure that there is no noise in passenger coaches after 10 pm. It has prohibited people from talking at a high pitch or listening to music, thereby disturbing the sleep of kids and elders. The new rule requires passengers to switch off the lights after 10 pm. The Railway staff have been asked to take action against those violating these rules. The ministry issued guidelines in view of complaints that people sit in groups and talk loudly or sing bhajans during odd hours, thus disturbing the sleep of co-passengers. It is a right step in the right direction.
C. K. Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
