Drugs menace in Goa
Goa is destroyed and looted by our politicians and not by Portuguese. We the people are also responsible for this mess because we don’t know whom to elect and we don’t see their vision to contest the election. People look at only money. During the Portuguese rule there were no rapes, no robberies, no chain snatching, no murders, and no sexual assault cases in Goa. Our politicians only know how to make money, get power and be famous. There’s corruption in government offices this is because our politicians are accepting bribes to provide jobs. Jobs in police department and mamlatdar offices should be on merit. At some shacks and restaurants near beaches drugs are available and some police despite being aware of this menace have turned a blind eye. I congratulate the police commissioner of Hyderabad and the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for their action. I would request our Goans to unite and rise to save our Goa.
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Cyril Leitao, Chinchinim
Portugal Minister’s resignation
Portugal’s Health Minister Martha Temido resigned taking moral responsibility for the unfortunate death of a pregnant Indian tourist who could not be admitted in Lisbon’s government hospital as it was full and the lady was being taken to another hospital accompanied by a senior nurse and her assistant. In transit she developed hypertension, eventually reaching the hospital she died of cardiac arrest. However, luckily the infant was saved by performing a C-section. Temido’s resignation came in just five hours from the incident even before the post-mortem report. The resignation was in fact solicited and accepted by the president of Portugal. In India how many of our health ministers resign for much more serious incidents? An incident was reported where 60 infants died in Gorakhpur’s Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, allegedly due to lack of oxygen supply. It may be recalled that during Covid a writ petition was filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa that several patients died due to shortage of oxygen cylinders. No one took responsibility and no minister resigned. Can we learn some lessons from the Portuguese instead of criticising them blindly?
Agnelo Furtado, Chinchinim
Are CCTVs monitored in real-time?
At most places in India CCTVs are installed at traffic signals, shops, banks, ATM, malls, offices, streets etc. These CCTVs record, store data for a few days or a month or two and are of much help if some incidents have occurred in the vicinity. But it is anybody’s guess as to whether the CCTVs are monitored in real-time from a control room by dedicated people. This is an important aspect as any crime or an emergency condition that arises can be reported and tackled pronto. For e.g., if a robbery at an ATM is occurring or if the CCTVs have been covered or disabled, then the control room personnel can inform the police and bank manager. The present situation is that the police collect the CCTV data for analysis but by then the culprits escape after committing the crime. Hence, there is a need to monitor the CCTVs round-the-clock. This may lead to some additional costs in terms of space and employing people, but it would be worth to do so. There is need back up CCTV data in the storage and retrieval systems such as a server, pen drive, cloud storage or an external hard drive.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
5th largest economy?
In a development replete with substance and symbolism, India has overtaken the UK to become the fifth largest economy. Powered by a massive young demographic waiting to burst into the middle class and a robust digital ecosystem, India is certain to grow bigger in the coming years. But hold your horses, how much of this gargantuan economic growth has benefited the common man? The primary challenge is to prepare enough people to participate in the future growth trajectory. The low GDP per capita and the continuing Covid relief package providing free food grains for 800 million people are pointers to low individual productivity, signifying that the macro picture represented by absolute GDP numbers is misleading. India’s GDP per capita of around $ 2500 is less than 6% of UK’s $44,000, so all this tom-tomming by the BJP about us having surpassed Britain’s economy is an eyewash. With millions being pushed into poverty every year, the situation is grim. Also consider the anomaly that the third richest person in the world who is an Indian does not pay the highest tax in the country. The so called economic progress has been of benefit only to the moneyed class. Unless there is equitable distribution of wealth and the common folk are pulled out of poverty, all this hoo-ha about GDP growth holds no water.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
A nation means its people
When India achieved Independence in 1947 we were in a tight spot; a country where even a needle was not manufactured but was imported from the British Empire. In other countries many household goods and garments were imported to India and if I am correct only iron ore was exported to China.
It was an outstanding journey and achievements and failures in India’s long struggles in turbulent times over 75 years. In 2022 to stand firmly on solid ground looking into the future brimming with confidence is nothing short of a miracle.
I am proud of my country as we celebrate 75 years of Independence. The freedom that we are enjoying today is only because of the sacrifices of our soldiers and Freedom Fighters.
Seventy-five years of Independence is a remarkable milestone not only in history of India, but also in the history of the world. Unfortunately, many a time our history books limit to the information until the Independence Day and Republic Day. Today’s generation is unaware of the progress of India and she was able to challenge the struggles down the years, post Independence.
To refresh our memories down the years is noteworthy but Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is not a one-day jubilee event or years of celebration. In fact it is a voice of every Indian irrespective of caste, creed and religion. But are we really free as envisaged by our freedom fighters? Are we still living in bondage? I am not sure. I hope and pray that India becomes more stronger, sovereign, socialist and secular democratic republic. Let every Indian pray in the words of Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore- “Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.” Jai Hind.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Mistry’s death: A big loss
The passing away of Tata Sons ex-chairman Cyrus Mistry in a road accident at Palghar, Mumbai is a big loss to the Indian automobile industry. It is all the more doleful that he died in less than three months of the demise of his father Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry due to old age. Mistry took the Shapoorji Group to new heights of success in a short time. He followed in the footsteps of his father and understood the nuances of business. It was under the leadership of Cyrus Mistry that Tata Motors began its turnaround with the launch of Tata Zest and Tata Bolt.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
