Every day is ‘World Environment Day’
On ‘World Environment Day’ observed on June 5, several politicians and political parties were seen planting saplings to mark the day. Every day of the year needs to be observed as ‘World Environment Day’. If one is really concerned about the environment then there should be a stop to the rampant destruction of trees and hill-cutting activities which are carried out for real estate development. It takes several years for trees to grow but a few minutes of madness to cut it down.
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A symbolic gesture of planting a few saplings will not address the issue which is contributing to climate change in a big way globally. Van Mahotsav week is celebrated in the first week of July to spread awareness about forests and plantation drives are carried out. Initiatives like distribution of saplings, plantation drives and awareness sessions on the need to grow more trees need to be carried out in schools.
The need to protect our environment should be emphasized among young impressionable minds if we are to protect our planet. By just planting a few saplings the responsibility does not end. These saplings need to be nurtured and cared for till they grow up to become strong trees.
Otherwise the vagaries of nature or stray cattle will destroy these saplings. It is pertinent to note that in Singapore every student has to plant ten trees in order to graduate.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Quo vadis Goa
Our golden Goa which is known as Rome of the East is on the brink of environmental degradation, economic collapse and identity crisis. If the present Goa Government cannot save Goa from these human made disasters then why we Goans need such an in efficient government to govern Goa?
Whichever political party it may be, we need a reliable government to look after each and every Goan and not Ambanis, Adanis and Jindals. Why our government failed to solve the mystery of Sidhi Naik’s murder? And this is the reason cases like rapes, murders, kidnapping and robberies are increasing in the State. It is not that our police force is not efficient, our police force is very much efficient. They have solved many cases within 24 hours where there are politicians not involved.
Minor children are being raped on daily basis. And till date all those who are arrested are migrants. Do we need such migrants who murder their own wives, rape their own family minor kids and kidnap our children?
We Goans do not need such migrants in Goa. And you people who ask us, there are no Goans in other States and countries? Yes, there are but we know to behave ourselves. We do not do what these migrants are doing in Goa. These migrants are neither afraid of our government nor our police because they know their godfathers will take care of them. So now is the time for the government to come act tough on these migrants.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
The breadman and garbage collector
Every morning we see the breadman and the garbage man. The garbage man carries all the wet and dry waste and keeps our homes and streets clean. Many of us consider this to be his routine duty and we don’t appreciate his work or give him some tips or eatables once in a while.
It is true that we pay garbage tax to the panchayat or municipality and the garbage contractor pays the garbage man he employs but so we do pay the hotelier for the food we consume in the hotel and he pays the waiter he employs. Yet we always thank the waiter who serves us and tip him generously.
The common garbage man is an uneducated and poor person who earns his living by carrying the waste we generate daily. He merits a little appreciation from us. Such a gesture would go a long way to help him and encourage him to serve us better.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Change of names
Anyone from outside the State can change their names and surnames at will. The process seems legally very easy. The resemblance to Goan surnames is intriguing. Claims have been preferred for registration family properties, inheritances, Portuguese passports by changing names or to establish Goan identity especially with surnames. Though legally there is no bar, the non Goans attempting such an exercise definitely do this with some ulterior motives.
Many fraudulent cases have come to light. The reason for changing names must be strictly scrutinised. It would be advisable that the person gets it done in his own place were birth is registered. Hence if birth is not registered in Goa it would be justified to refuse such requests. Advertisement in any one paper doesn’t draw pointed attention as a matter of routine.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
Uproar over Prophet row
India has done well to turn the tables on Pakistan, which sought to make most of the uproar over the Prophet row and raise the pitch of its usual tirade against its neighbour. New Delhi reacted after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the Government of Pakistan summoned India’s acting envoy to Islamabad to convey their displeasure.
Besides, Pakistan Premier Shehbaz Sharif urged the world to chastise India and note the offensive comments. However, Islamabad’s reaction borders on the absurd, considering it is a serial violator of minority rights. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also appears to have blown the issue out of proportion.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Nadal’s dominion over clay
Playing against Rafael Nadal on clay is akin to scaling Mont Blanc without any ropes even as the incredible Spaniard claimed his 14th French Open title and his 22nd Slam overall, further surpassing the career marks of his contemporaries Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
It seems Nadal has all but taken permanent possession of the French Open as he proudly hoisted the trophy yet again at the Roland Garros after demolishing Norway’s Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.
Ruud, in particular, looked totally out of sorts in the final set, as he was unable to sustain the high-octane tennis needed to ruffle Nadal. For well over a decade, Nadal has been guarding Roland Garros like a demesne, repelling one generation after the next.
There is nothing to suggest that Nadal’s domination on the Parisian dirt will end any time soon.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Global warming; A pre-monsoon warning
Human caused climate change combines with other threats — like destruction of natural habitats and loss of biodiversity — to increase risks for people and nature. When multiple risks occur at the same time, they are more difficult to manage together. Even temporarily exceeding 1.5°C warming will cause severe impacts — some of which will be irreversible. Worldwide action to achieve climate resilient and sustainable development is more urgent than we previously thought.
There are no second chances and nations must use COP26 to address the enormous threat of climate change. This is an incredibly difficult time for the world. The world is facing two momentous challenges: COVID-19 and climate change. Both need us to come together globally to find a way forward. World Environment Day (June 5) is an important moment to take stock on climate change. The new role of India’s first-hand ambitious work on renewable energy, and held vital measures on this count. It is a right step in the right direction.
M R Jayanthi, Mumbai
