Ventilation vital for controlling virus
Kerala is once again witnessing a surge after a 2-month negative growth. In Goa, the positivity rate is declining very slowly: why? Where are these cases coming from and what is the key factor for the transmission? Studies show antibodies drop in face of the Delta variant prompting the possibility of having to go for a 3rd dose. The Expert Committee knows best about airborne transmissions. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has changed the Building code ventilation norms to provide for an increase in the number of air changes per hour. The WHO has guidelines on the direction of air flow -top down- so that air does not flow from person to person. With the opening up of shops in malls and restaurants, ventilation should have first been changed as per the new guidelines. Yet, we see no circular to this effect from the Collectors.
The Expert Committee is responsible to ensure this but somehow is avoiding the same. What must be done must be done: no compromising on money or difficulty. Nobody knows what more adverse events take place. Do now whatever can be done, don’t cry later.
R Fernandes, Margao
Take precautions while cutting trees
A young life has been snuffed due to utter negligence which was avoidable. Cutting of a tree along the National Highway reportedly claimed the life of a young lad from Nuvem after the tree came crashing down on him while he was proceeding on his scooter.
It is understood that a lone traffic police was deployed to regulate the traffic when the tree cutting was underway even though it is a busy highway. When a tree along the highway is being cut, necessary precaution needs to be taken. Traffic on either side of the road needs to be regulated by the traffic cops. This precaution needs to be taken even while trees along the highway are being trimmed.
At times, workers who are hired to do the job of cutting/trimming trees, are seen trying to regulate the traffic which is the responsibility of the cops., The tree that is being cut needs to be tied with several ropes and the workers need to pull it to the side that is away from the road.
As a precaution the movement of the traffic needs to be completely stopped just as the tree that is being cut is about to come crashing down. Necessary precautions need to be taken in future in order to avoid such unfortunate incidents.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Goans abroad willing to work in the State
Your “Herald Insight”, issue of 06.07.21 was very interesting where it is reminded how Sr Rane felt so low seeing in UK our young boys doing the dirty jobs. There is no dirty or clean job, a job is a job and it has to be to the liking of one who does it. Besides, one must have dignity of the labour. However, leaving Goa and migrating to UK for the job itself is a dirty exercise for which all the Ranes who were on the forefront to rule Goa must be held responsible in failing to create jobs for the unemployed youth in Goa.
Somewhere in 1958/59, seeing the huge number of Goans employed in the Gulf, the Portuguese Governador of Goa, Vassalo e Silva issued a circular to Goans abroad who were willing to return and work in Goa. Governador volunteered to provide them with suitable jobs. Responding to this Circular at least as I know, 3 Goans employed at lucrative Oil sectors in Kuwait and at least 4 from Qatar applied to the Governador’s Office in Goa and after proper scrutiny of their applications they were employed in Goa in the government and mining sectors.
Overwhelming majority of Goans long to work in Goa even with less salary but having no option they work abroad.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Death of a nation’s conscience
Father Stan Swamy’s death was an entirely avoidable tragedy and pretty much complicit in this entire scheme of things is the entire judicial and law enforcement system. First and foremost he was not even tried for ‘supposed’ crimes and was arrested just a day before the NIA filed the charge-sheet in the Bhima Koregaon case, making it abundantly clear that he was being made an example for not toeing the government’s line. It was simply a political witch-hunt.
More grave injustice was the NIA opposing the bail plea of this 84-year-old frail activist with Parkinsons and other multiple medical issues in the midst of a raging pandemic. But most opprobrious was the judiciary’s conduct on grounds of common sense, decency and humanitarian principles by stalling the bail application of this octogenarian who had all his life worked for the tribals, the marginalised and the downtrodden. The extreme cruelty being meted out to Stan by denying him the use of a drinking straw was not fair.
Father Stan’s is a case fit for judicial scrutiny and repealing of draconian laws like the UAPA which are but tools of intimidation and harassment in the hands of the State. Many such Stan Swamys are languishing in prisons for ages without even a charge sheet framed against them, some pass into the great beyond during their trial. A major part of India’s democracy and collective conscience has today been buried with the coffin of Stan Swamy…rest in power Father and forgive them not for they did know what they were doing.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Fr Stan Swamy the crusader
We have seen prisoners live in comfort with ACs and refrigerators in their “prison cells”. We have seen hardcore prisoners, convicted rioters and terrorism accused get bail on health issues to be seen playing basketball later on. But we couldn’t give an 84-year-old Stan Swamy a straw to sip his drink. We couldn’t grant an interim bail to an aged tribal rights activist on medical grounds even as he suffered from several ailments including Parkinsons, was infected by Corona virus later on and was kept on ventilator in his last hours.
This is the way we treat the activists in our country, while the criminals are either given clean chits or bails or never ending paroles to attend birthday parties. RIP Fr Stan Swamy. You fought a good fight and you will be remembered. Those who deny others a dignified life will never be remembered post their death.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Get rid of all illegal gaddas in Goa
The demolition of the kiosks in front of the Goa Medical College is a welcome action by the CM Pramod Sawant. Such encroachments are all over Goa and this is the result of local MLAs of different political parties giving them support. I hope other MLAs, Ministers will follow and take appropriate action in their constituencies.
Closer home we have Zuarinagar slums which came up only because the MLAS of different parties closed their eyes to this growing encroachments occupying Comunidade lands who are now controlled by the Government and the role of the Comunidades is made insignificant. One of the MLAs was even suggesting to regularise the encroachment and thus pass on the ownership. Such action will encourage encroachment further not only at Zuarinagar but all over Goa.
Comunidade is age old institution which even the Portuguese respected but brought in reforms safeguarding the interests of the cultivators of the land. But the MGP made the Comunidades a toothless body by granting tenancy rights. Now the Comunidades can’t take action on encroachers. The Govt, who is controlling the administration, also does not act and the reason is obvious.
If due action is not taken at Zuarinagar it will turn into another Dharavi of Bombay.
Antonio F Fernandes, Arossim
