Online classes/exam, a total failure
The online classes and online exams conducted by any education institution is a total failure. To conduct online classes mobile network is a necessity. And to have mobile network working electricity is required. In many rural areas shutdowns are being taken by the electricity department without any proper planning. On March 8, 2021 a shutdown was proposed by Electricity Department in Collem village, but the same was not taken. After four hours of shutdown the battery of the mobile tower collapses and the network goes down.
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The most affected are the students who are answering the exams online. The physical classes/exam is the best mode for the students to prepare and answer the exam.
Elvis Colaco, Collem
Empowering women
In a push towards women empowerment, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Goa divisional Office celebrated the International Women’s Day 2021 by converting its retail outlet in Vasco into an all-women operated retail outlet. It is learnt that this is the first outlet in the State to have all women staff.
It must be said that in today’s world women participate and lead on an equal footing with men. Women have excelled in every field which include social, economic, cultural and political fields. There is probably no job which men do that women cannot do. Women in India have been engaged in right from driving a cab to flying a jet fighter. The only thing necessary is for women to be presented an opportunity to take up jobs in a male dominated society. Just like the all-women operated petrol pump in Vasco we could have banks, private offices, shopping-arcades and other business premises run solely by women.
The government in the State could do its bit by announcing special schemes for women on the occasion of International Women’s day. It is pertinent to note that on International Women’s Day the Karnataka proposed to open crèches in government offices in the State and up-gradation of Anganwadis in the state into crèches for the benefit of urban working women. The government of that State has also proposed to provide the market for the products manufactured by women self-help groups and women entrepreneurs and implementation of e-market facility.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Luck did not favour the brave in ISL semis
After its ignominious exit from the 1982 World Cup soccer tournament with their most disastrous defeat from Italy coached by their foot-ballcrat team Manager Enzo Berzot where their super star forward Paulo Rossi scored one of the most magnificent hat-tricks in the history of World soccer against the mighty Brazilian squad. Brazil never produced earlier better squad, even during Pele’s era though Pele was genius on the soccer field, the great Team Manager of Brazil Tele Santana after his team was ousted from that tourney, lamented saying “we had everything in our favour except luck which favoured the Italians.”
This was exactly what has happened in the semi-final of ISL tourney for Goa where in spite of playing such a wonderful soccer some of their sharp shooters failed to shoot the ball into net. If Goa had better luck they would reach the final.
When the then mighty soccer team recruited me for their team Sesa Goa as a defender when I was still schooling at St Joseph’s High School Arpora, their Coach Iqbal who was the only Coach in Goa then from Patiala qualified, while testing my efficiency on the first day, gave me the first test of shooting the penalty kick despite knowing that I am a defender but was satisfied after I attained the success.
On Monday it was very disastrous to see FC Goa’s stalwarts one after other failing in their aim. However, I don’t castigate those who failed in converting their spot kicks either during the first five penalties or during the sudden death. Even the highly successful spot kick takers in the World namely Brazilian Socrates and Zico, French Michel Platini, Argentinian Maradona and during my time in Goa, Socorro our left back at Vasco to cite a few relevant examples.
All said and done, I must confess after watching all the previous tournaments from the beginning, this year’s edition was most wonderful and highly advanced in soccer though none was there having the experience of World Cup. But almost all the foreign recruits indicated their calibre and the development of this game in their respective countries and clubs where they play their soccer. First time it was shown how the game opens from both the flanks, how the goalkeeping has improved, how the Brazilian mode of short passing is implemented and so many other ideas.
The only drawback was the poor refereeing that was handled by those who lacked proper knowledge of laws and implementations. Most of them suffered from inferiority complex especially when they blow their whistles for any infringement by the foreigners. Such a poor state of refereeing was not seen in Europe, South America and elsewhere.
I am sure henceforth Indian players will have better opportunities to learn better ways of playing better soccer in the midst of their colleagues from other parts of the world.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Our vulnerable senior citizens
The double murder of two senior citizens at Fatorda has pushed the issue of their safety centre stage. Goa has the highest proportion of senior citizens in the country, most of whom live alone without family. Law enforcement authorities maintain a record (or so they claim) of such elderly with the help of beat police and welfare groups, the police personnel are also supposed to check on them at least once a month along with a social worker or volunteer.
But ultimately the onus of safety lies with the elderly themselves as the police are too busy quelling protests and providing protection to the rich and politicians. Some of the measures seniors can adopt to ensure their safety is to keep all helpline and hospital numbers within easy reach, install a safety chain and peephole at entry doors, call a family member at a fixed time every day, fix grills in all windows and open balconies, preferably avoid keeping tenants, insist on police verification before employing drivers, maids, cooks, labourers etc, not to keep large amounts of cash or valuables at home and lock bedroom doors before retiring for the night. These small steps coupled with abundant caution in daily routine will go a long way in keeping the elderly safe.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Internet drones
It is really delightful to know that in the rural areas of Wisconsin school district in the US where internet accessibility is poor the authorities concerned have come out with a project with the help of start ups to connect users, especially school children – using drones as a way to access flawless internet connectivity.
The drones will be equipped with cell phone devices that can let students and others to go online. The Wisconsin district is one such where issues regarding internet access is very poor. The drone will work on latest technology and will be able to remain aloft for weeks. The same technology if it is implemented in our own country it would benefit thousands of students and citizens residing in remote areas and localities where net connection is very low.
During the lockdown when online studies were relied upon there were complaints regarding the poor internet connectivity in many parts of India. Using such novel technology can definitely benefit people. Our internet providers with the help of start-ups can come out with such projects.
M Pradyu, Kannur
