Pay municipal workers their salary on time
It is learnt that the safai workers and contract workers of the Pernem Municipal Council have not been paid their salaries for the past three months, despite continuing to do the cleaning job. They probably continue to work as they do not have an alternate job opportunity and hope that their dues will be cleared sooner than later. From time to time, one comes across such incidents of non payment of the workers their monthly salaries on time at several civic bodies across the state.
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It is pertinent to note that these workers come from poor families and lead a hand-to-mouth existence. Hence surviving for so many months without any income can be a tough ask. At times, the contract workers and even the regular staff are forced to go on strike for non-payment of their dues. If the workers doing the cleaning job go on an indefinite strike, the state of the city is best left to one’s imagination with garbage strewn all over the place. That the council’s treasury is facing a paucity of funds is not a valid reason for not paying the workers their salary. It is for the municipal authorities to generate the necessary funds in order to be able to pay the workers their due in time.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Pak should shed terror first, then hold talks
The dicey equation between India and Pakistan has bordered on hate and hope. The word ‘dialogue’, thanks to the rogue ways of Islamabad, is all set to become defunct. But Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seems to think otherwise as he has ‘called’ for a dialogue between the two neighbours while addressing a summit in his country. Sharif has said war is not an option. But the Pakistan Prime Minister should know that New Delhi is never in favour of a war. On the contrary, in the past, whenever India opened up to its neighbour for a dialogue, bang came an ambush on the Indian army or a cross border attack, orchestrated by Islamabad. That, indeed, is the problem because as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India cannot ‘normalise’ terrorism for the sake of a bilateral dialogue. India taming the ‘wild horse’ Pakistan on more than one instance, via diplomacy and military, has brought the latter to its knees. There is little doubt that people of both countries are yearning for peace. If at all talks have to take place, Islamabad should divorce its terror–companions. A country that is next to nothing in terms of diplomacy and decorum, requires to be shown its place.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
May Goa see a tranquil Kew garden
My visit to Europe was very amazing and a real eye opener. The interaction with my Goan brothers and sisters was so heart warming. In those few days, it gave me an opportunity to meet and converse with my fellow Goans while feeling their pulse and understanding their feelings. The time was so short, but it was my endeavour to meet up and interface with as many people as possible.
While in London and with a desire to spend some time reflecting in the tranquillity and solace of the wilderness, I was very fortunate to spend an entire afternoon at the sprawling Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the world’s largest collection of living plants. Those hours were mind boggling with every inch of that immaculate garden brimming with a rich diversity of flora and fauna and eco systems from all over the world and infrastructure from incredibly built glass houses to a palace and the palm house.
While I walked through the gardens for several hours, the deep anguish within me was, a question as to why we couldn’t have such a garden set up in our extremely resourceful Goa and why the ones that we inherited are poorly maintained and uncared for. Regrettably, we may never find the answer. What is certain is that Goa needs an innovative, green and educational oasis like Kew Gardens, not more concrete jungle eyesores.
May we hope that the resolve of our political leaders who go on trips abroad will be to replicate one spectacular thing they see onto our fertile soil. Let us hope and be optimistic.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Historical verdict in Rahul case
With their historical verdict in the defamation case filed against Rahul Gandhi, the eminent judges of the Supreme Court Bench have made it very clear to the world that our Apex Court is not just a court but the conscience of the country.
The entire nation that went into depression over the tearing hurry with which the ruling dispensation removed Rahul as an MP, made him vacate his bungalow in such a haste and more importantly denied him his privilege to discuss matters of national concern in the parliament as an elected MP, is in jubilation over the timely and most welcome verdict.
Now the nation expects the central government to reinstate Rahul as the MP with the same teary hurry with which they happily removed him as an MP earlier. However, with the manner in which the BJP government has been treating the opposition leaders, it might be utopian expecting the ruling dispensation to do so.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Boost for ‘Make in India’ initiative
The Union government’s curbs on importing laptops, computers, and tablets could hit the short-term availability of import-dependant brands and see their prices go through the roof. Importers of these products will need government permission and a valid licence. But there’s no bar on importing one unit of the restricted items or bringing one from abroad. The government also exempted devices imported for research and development from any curb. The move could be a shot in the arm for the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Protect future of Manipur students
Manipur violence that killed nearly 150 people and displaced another 40,000 people has exacted a wrenching cost, the horrors of which is only slowly unfolding. According to the Union education ministry, 14,763 school-going children were displaced due to the ongoing ethnic strife.
Vulnerable children are often soft targets when ethnic violence strikes a community, and in Manipur, a complete breakdown of law and order has led vigilante groups to unspeakable horrors. Child migration is particularly worrisome because it can have far-reaching effects on young minds and leave deep scars on the psyche of future generations. If a community is to emerge from the embers of the ethnic fire, the government must act to protect the future of these young children. The good news is that 93.5% of the students have already been admitted to nearby schools. But the authorities must ensure the rule of law, and the restoration of normality without any perception of biased policies, so that these young students can go back to the classrooms, and stay there.
Tauqueer Rahmani, Mumbai
