Govt should take cyber security seriously
Government has to give due importance to Cyber security as it can create havoc if not taken seriously. India should have a dedicated agency to address all cyber security related problems. As everything is becoming digital these days and we cannot rule out the possibility of internet being used for insurrection.
The government of India should look at all emerging threats in cyber security and take the advice of best cyber security experts in the world.
This, in addition to the services and agencies already in place. The G-20 in its next meeting should look out ways to handle cyber security challenges in future effectively.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
There is a decline
in Goa’s tourism
There is a steady declining growth rate in tourist footfalls in Goa. Several significant reasons contribute to the tourism going haywire. Safety issues, poor roads, unreasonable taxi charges by local operators, improper parking place and garbage management, as well as exorbitant prices and crimes are some of the key reasons for the decline in tourist growth in Goa.
Goa has seen a decline in foreign visitors since the pandemic, with tourists from India being the mainstay of tourism. There is almost nothing the government does, even though the same people get elected every time and the same problems arise every year.
The hotels are not getting enough bookings, which is having a cascading effect on other areas connected with hospitality industry as Goa is one of the top beach and nightlife destinations in the country.
How far the issue of unregulated taxis and exorbitant fares has actually dampened the spirit of tourism in Goa? It is now up to the administration to plug the holes in tourism boat and ensure that quality tourists come to Goa. The tourism department must review the marketing strategy to promote Goa as a tourism destination more efficiently.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Investors left
high and dry
This has reference to the article ‘Lessons from Skyfall’ (Herald, February 6, 2023).
Altaf Shah has presented deep insight into the recent stock market fall on account of the Adani episode. He has raised pertinent and valid questions about the way loans are sanctioned, about the role of the media the enforcement agencies, etc. The whole episode seems so unnecessary, but that unfortunately, is how things work in our country. Non accountability in public life is on display. One can even get away with murder if you have the money power and the right connections. Where does that leave the common man, the honest tax paying citizens? He is left high and dry! The author rightly points out how terrible it is to get a housing loan for instance – multiple foolproof security, etc. And yet, huge loans are sanctioned to large business houses without caring about adequate security. And whose money are they using – it’s public money! Altaf ends appropriately – no matter how strong or powerful you may be, it is God Almighty who has the final say, whether you believe it out not. So, our politicians need to understand this basic fact. All good things must come to an end!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Changing perspectives and manufacturing benefits
The semantics involved in the presentation of the Annual Economic Survey and the Union Budget are rather amusing. There was a time when GDP growth expectations would be in double digit levels and one would be talking of 10-12% growth in a matter of fact manner. Thereafter we slipped and growth of 8-9% became the norm which qualified as normal. However, this year, we see that 6-6.8% predicted for 2023-24 is described as robust growth. While just earlier during the Covid times we were fighting to maintain a growth rate of 7% and taking umbrage when the IMF, World Bank and other multilateral agencies were projecting an India growth below 7% against. But we are now taking the 6-6.8% growth as ‘robust’!
But in one sense it is good that our government is recognising the worldwide recessionary trends currently prevailing and settling for a reasonable growth rate.
It was also said that the Budget presented for 2023-24 has nothing for the poor and the SME sector. As this information we have the redoubtable FM wading into the action and a headline in the papers saying that she will have a session with the BJP MP’s to educate them on how the Budget benefits the poor and the SME sector. Another ‘jumla’ on the way!
The other thing was that Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament when she came to the phasing out of old, polluting vehicles stumbled with a slip of the tongue and said that she will ‘replace old political ……’ for ‘…..old polluting…’. Sometimes the truth has a tendency of slipping out!
S Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Vani Jayaram will
sing no more
The passing away of veteran playback singer Vani Jayaram is an irreparable loss to the world of music. It is all the more grieving that her death has happened just after a week of her winning the prestigious Padma Bhushan award. The renowned singer had a brilliant vocal range and easy adaptability to different emotions of songs.
Vani Jayaram collaborated with some of the biggest composers and delivered evergreen chartbusters in all South Indian languages, and in Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Bengali, etc. In a career that spanned over five decades, Vani Jayaram has sung over 10,000 songs in 19 languages. Among her many classical melodies, the songs bole re papi hara and nadhamenum kovilile from the Tamil film ‘Manmadha Leelai’ are outstanding ones. The iconic singer may not be with us in flesh today, but her golden voice will keep resonating forever, touching our heartstrings.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
With Vani gone, an epoch has ended
With the unfortunate death of septuagenarian singer Vani Jairam, an epoch has ended. The iconic playback singer, who mesmerised music buffs with her voice, began her singing career in Bollywood with the film Guddi (1971) and sang over 10,000 songs in a career spanning over five decades. Her melodies transcended boundaries as she sang across 18 Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. Ironically, she did not live to receive the Padma Vibhushan conferred on her by the Union government just a few days back. She may be gone, but she will live on through her captivating tunes!
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
