Monster Turkey quake
The monster earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria and left a trail of death and destruction has cast a pall of gloom. The powerful pre-dawn quake, believed to be the worst to strike this century, killed over 3,700 people and toppled thousands of buildings. We expect the toll to climb as hundreds of families remain trapped under the rubble. Tremors from the quake which was 18-km deep were felt as far away as Greenland. While our hearts go out to the dead and the affected, it is heartening that several world powers have rushed to offer aid.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Pope planning India trip
Pope Francis has said that he thought he would visit India in 2024 after plans for a trip in 2017 fell apart. The Holy Father visited Myanmar and Bangladesh instead. The last Pope to visit India was John Paul II, who came to New Delhi in 1999. There have been three Papal visits to India. The first Pope to visit India was Pope Paul VI, who visited Mumbai in 1964 to attend the International Eucharistic Congress. Pope John Paul II visited several places in India including Chennai in February 1986 and then again visited New Delhi in November 1999. The Goa government needs to put in all efforts to ensure Goa is included in Pope Francis’ itinerary during the visit to India in 2024. In a historic moment for Goa, Pope Francis has picked Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao as one of 21 new cardinals. Archbishop Ferrao thus became the first-ever archbishop of Goa to be elevated as Cardinal in 465 years, and is only the sixth person of Goan origin to attain the rank. It is pertinent to note that the decennial Exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier will be held between November 21, 2024 and January 5, 2025 at Old Goa. The Holy Father has adopted the name of St Francis Xavier as a tribute to his beloved saint. It would be most appropriate and a blessing if Pope Francis could visit Goa during the Exposition.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Chinese Surveillance Balloon
Even though the Chinese Surveillance Balloon didn’t actually pose a military or any physical threat, still its intrusion into American airspace over several days was a clear violation of the US dominion. (“US downs Chinese Surveillance balloon, China threatens repercussions”, February 6). It is unclear whether there was any intelligence value in the balloon’s flight across the US, and whether it could survive the fall into an ocean from that altitude. Cheap and hard-to-reach balloons have long been used for reconnaissance purposes, including in conflicts like the American Civil War. This practice became widespread during World War I, and was extensively used during the Cold War, when the US launched hundreds of balloons to gather intelligence on the Soviet Union and China. While their use has declined with the rise of unmanned drones and satellites, many countries still employ spy balloons. Modern balloons, like the one of Chinese, have the ability to not only capture images, but intercept communications. They can also extend cellular service and the range of drones and other military assets. Meanwhile, the Chinese Surveillance Balloon appears to have not only derailed the planned diplomatic talks between the two superpower nations, but also injected fresh apprehensions into the already strained relations between them.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Tie MNREGA’s loose ends
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme was considered a huge game changer in providing socioeconomic security to women of rural India when it was introduced in 2005. The NDA government did well not to dilute its utility value. Therefore, the Rs 13,000 crore cut in allocation to MNREGA in the latest budget turned heads. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has explained that the scheme is “demand driven”, and the States can always ask for more. It means the revised estimate (RE) is always higher than the budget estimate (BE), and it’s reasonable. However, the Centre should tie the loose ends affecting the scheme. It is reported that there have been delays in paying wages to the workers. The government should make it mandatory that all payments be done within fifteen days of closure of the muster roll. Aadhaar-based payments must be streamlined and internet banking in rural areas must be strengthened. Also, the loopholes in the issue of payment of daily unemployment allowance to a worker, whose employment request is not honoured within 15 days of receipt of such a request, should be looked into.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Impose steep garbage, sewage fines
The Chief Minister and Environment Minister have made public statements on the issue of addressing the garbage menace in the State; stating that this can severely affect Goa as a tourist State!
While I appreciate that many Goans are careless in disposing garbage and commercial establishments with their garbage/sewage, I wonder what is stopping the Goa government in passing tough legislations to impose steep punishments on the culprits/violators? Steep fines and business license suspension/termination (in case of repeated violations by commercial establishments) will surely address the garbage dumping menace in a big way! Of course, there should also be good surveillance/monitoring systems including CCTVs, etc. and surprise checks by the Goa State Pollution Control Board on business establishments.
I request the ministers to instead making just statements and playing to the galleries; to be productive, add value to the State and implement these stringent measures/fines for garbage and sewage dumping immediately. Does the much marketed “good governance propaganda” mean just making statements on this serious issue or taking decisive action?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Goans treated like doormats?
In the name of development there is destruction everywhere. Incomplete projects damage roads. Increasing rates in rapes, murders and robberies and not to forget land grabbing cases and now the most important issue we lost river Mhadei in the hands of Karnataka. Is this how we, Goans should be treated now?
By looking at the present scenario is anyone listening to the Goans please? The ministers, who were chosen by us, have turned a deaf ear to us. As I have mentioned before, are we Goans treated like doormats?
Anita Fernandes, Verna
