Traffic challans based on AI cameras
People are getting challans and fined by messengers for traffic violations, and if they fail to make payment they are threatened with suspension of license and or imprisonment for three months. Honest law abiding citizens have no idea what violation they have committed. It is a fact that some traffic lights are confusing/wrongly put for example at the CHOGM/O’Coqueiro junction.
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Traffic coming from Mapusa to Panjim gets a green light and at the same time there is a permanent green for traffic coming from Borkar road. Traffic coming from Panjim and wanting to turn into Borkar road have to wait for green light while CHOGM road traffic and zip across. Some traffic lights are confusing and put at wrong heights. A first time commuter on that route will not be aware. It is suggested that challans must mention what violation one has committed, so that disciplined drivers know what they have done wrong to avoid repeating the mistake. The traffic cell can also get feedback of what is wrong/confusing to the drivers and perhaps can rectify the defect in due course?
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Indian football on track to achieve
India’s victory over higher ranked Kuwait in the final of the SAFF Football Championship signals an important stage in the development of the national team. Though India has won the championship several times in the past, in this edition of the championship skipper Sunil Chhetri and his men gave the impression of a well-knit unit, putting together good build-ups and impressive link-ups on the flanks. Besides Chhetri, the credit also goes to Coach Igor Stimac and his assistant Mahesh Gawli. The performance has raised hopes of greater results in the months ahead as they will reconvene in a couple of months for the Kings’ Cup in Thailand to continue their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar.
In the long term, Indian football health depends on grassroots development. This is an uphill task given the lack of football culture in the country. Only a few states such as Northeast, West Bengal, Kerala and Goa have shown interest in the beautiful game. In a country that has never played at the World Cup, passion for the sport comes alive during the event. Unfortunately many prestigious football tournaments in India have either been discarded or are discontinued due to financial constraints. Add to this the massive popularity of cricket that crowds out interest in other sports. Financial incentives too are lacking. Of course, the ISL has given a new lease of life to Indian football.
This year AIFF released its Vision 2047 to make India a footballing powerhouse. This will require money, manpower and inspiration. One hopes the dream of Vision 2047 will be realised.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
End senseless violence, bring peace to Manipur
This has reference to the report ‘Manipur burns as woman shot dead in Imphal West’ (O Heraldo July 7, 2023).
It does not seem like the disturbance in Manipur is going to end soon. It is worrying to note that violence continues in the state even after two months. Apparently, trust between communities has broken and once this trust is broken it is going to be very difficult to restore that trust. Needless to say, the government ought to take the initiative and sincerely undertake damage control measures. There should be meaningful debate in Parliament and strive to find a solution to this crisis rather than running away from the problem. The government must restore the faith the people had reposed in them at election time. Too many lives have been lost. It’s time this senseless violence must end. We need to implore Almighty God to intervene and bring about peace not only to this trouble state of Manipur but in the rest of the country as well.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Caste atrocities must cease in India
It is shocking and infuriating to note that a BJP worker in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh has urinated on an Adivasi tribal youth. This is the most inhuman and castiest act and needs to be condemned in the severest possible manner. The nauseating incident only exposes the growing atrocities against marginalised communities in the country. The rise of caste brutalities, particularly against Dalits, demonstrate that Hindutva lacks candour and sincerity in dealing with Dalit agenda. Instead, by raking sentimental issues against Ambedkarite Dalit activists, a systematic public antagonism is manufactured against them by the ruling dispensation. The country is witnessing a worrying decline in the social status of the marginalised communities, coupled with an economic decline. This is just an example of the brutalities faced by the grass root communities of tribals and Dalits in a country which celebrates its 75th year of Independence!
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Death penalty for rape
Incidents of rape in Goa are happening with alarming frequency and the level of inhumanity indulged in by the perpetrators is appalling. A driver was recently arrested for raping his mentally challenged daughter while the mother was abroad on work. The Verna police apprehended a 33 year old man who sexually assaulted a 14 year old schoolgirl after offering to drop her home. In another instance a restaurant manager in Old Goa was caught attempting to molest a minor. The rape rate in Goa stands at 7.8%, higher than the national average of 4.3%. Every month sees at least six cases being recorded. As per the National Crime Records Bureau, more than 66% of rape survivors in Goa are minors. Various other heinous rape and molestation cases are coming to light on a regular basis. Mostly in such cases litigation drags on for a long time and ultimately the accused is set free after serving prison time. It is very clear that the POCSO Act is a toothless legislation, after the initial flurry of filing chargesheets and rudimentary investigations, the proceedings move along at a snail’s pace.
The only sentence for rape once proved should be the death penalty, nothing less will do. All our politicians make the right noises about ‘zero tolerance for rape’ etc. but on the ground things are different. Molesters in positions of power are not even arrested despite POCSO charges being slapped on them. A case in point being the recent Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh saga. Infact, such people coerce and intimidate victims to retract their statements on fear of death. It is high time the SC took suo moto cognizance of the issue and amended the IPC to provide for exemplary punishment, ie the death penalty for rape.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Uninterrupted violence
The violence and killings in Manipur are a matter of human concern, as the Indian Government is unable to bring the critical condition of Manipur under control. It is not time for manipulation and craftiness towards humanity, but it is time to show regard and good light.
Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Thursday that the U S is ‘ready to assist’ India in dealing with the situation ‘if asked’.
It’s great to see the U S ambassador expressing concern about the ongoing violence in Manipur. Offering assistance to India shows the importance of global cooperation in addressing such issues.
T K R Noori, Hyderabad
