Mother Earth needs to be protected
This has reference to the article ‘Supporting Mother Earth’ (Herald 5 May 2023).
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
‘Earth Our Common Home’ – very rightly stated! Yes, the Earth is our Common Home and it is everybody’s responsibility, each and everyone of us, to take care and protect the Earth.
The initiative undertaken by the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club in collaboration with the Diocesan Commission for Ecology, Goa, of organizing various activities like competitions, dance performances, etc., to commemorate ‘Earth Day 2023’, and to create environmental awareness, pledge support and protection to Mother Earth, needs to be appreciated.
All such awareness programmes are good but the action on the ground seems to be lacking. Needless to say, it is upto each and every one of us to contribute towards protecting our planet. We need to take the initiative of planting more trees, stop further destruction of trees, wetlands, mangroves. There are several other ways in which we can prevent degeneration of our planet by avoiding generation of unnecessary waste, by re-use & recycling waste, etc., etc.
We need to understand, our small little steps can lead to protection of the Earth, ‘Our Common Home’! The title of a song comes to mind at this moment, ‘It all begins with You’! For far too long we have been taking things for granted, it’s time we gave back to Mother Earth! Are we willing?
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Sensitisation of Police is a must
The case in regarding of alleged rape where the cops delayed in filing FIR and the punitive action, shows the politics within the department stands exposed. These are the sensitive cases. This is an appalling example where the police personnel delayed in filing the FIR. Delay in filing the FIR typically exposes the lacklustre attitude of SHO’s and held them accountable for the delayed action in the case. This irresponsible behaviour on part of SHO’s leads to quite a delay in providing justice to the victim and becomes a question of judicial concern. Judiciary needs to be sensitized and take such issues, which are considered to be of least importance, on priority basis. It is unfortunate that despite the existence of legislative provisions and repeated judicial directions, they are not being adhered to in the right spirit. Rape is a heinous crime which falls under the category of cognizable offences listed under CrPC’s First Schedule. Refusal or delay in filing FIR sends out a signal that she will not be taken seriously and is doomed to suffer in silence. Rape being a stigmatized offence in our patriarchal society, majority of victims are reluctant to even accept that they have been raped, leave aside complain against it. Sensitization of police is an absolute must.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Number of accidents on the rise
Goa is not getting relief from road mishaps and fatal accidents. In 2023, the State reported around 952 mishaps and 104 deaths due to road accidents.
Motorists often drive recklessly on good and four lane roads and Goa has even witnessed a number of drunk drivers responsible for so many accidents.
In Ponda, locals blocked a road after a huge trailer was involved in a horrific accident putting many lives at risk.
In another incident in Vasco, three youth dashed against a KTC bus after being chased by traffic police. The situation is moving from bad to worse and it’s time to drive cautiously.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
SCO and G20 Summits in Goa
It is very nice to see world leaders flocking to Goa for the SCO and G20 Summits.
But I would have loved these world leaders who have terrorised countries like Ukraine and Bhutan to take a tour of some ‘smart cities’ in Goa and also have a chat with our very own Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and ask him a few questions about the Goan roads, accidents, drugs and crimes in Goa.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Dilapidated buildings need to be monitored
Apathy, neglect, unaccountability and corruption have hampered infrastructural constructions in the country.
A deep politician–officer–contractor nexus, throwing caution to the wind, has proved injurious to the common man. Massive projects are handed over to unscrupulous contractors who, along with equally if not more unprincipled engineers, run amok.
To the innumerable examples of buildings collapsing like pack of cards, another addition is the ten- year- old godown-cum-residential building in suburban Mumbai’s Bhiwandi that gave way claiming six precious lives and leaving many battling for life.
It is said the building could not withstand a mobile tower that was erected recently.
Structural designs of constructions should fulfil every criterion laid down in the rule book for them to last long. Any addition should scrupulously be brought to the notice of the concerned. Many a time, the materials used for the building are more than substandard. Blacklisted builders often get away with a dubious past. Supervising authorities look the other way when engineering ‘cracks’ are detected. Despite the fact that more than 50 people have been killed due to buildings giving way in Bhiwandi in the last five years, the authorities seem to be looking the other way. In India, laws are framed for one kind of people only for the exploration of those who do not understand them. An enhanced supervision and follow -up of all dilapidated structures in the country cannot be underplayed.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
