Christmas with PM Modi
As he does every year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Christmas service at Delhi Cathedral, highlighting love, peace and compassion, and urging harmony and goodwill across society. Significantly, the image of the PM standing in prayer with members of the Christian community was a powerful one, sending a loud and clear message to a country of great diversity, which promises every faith a home that is safe and nurturing.
However, activists of the Bajrang Dal and VHP were in their usual disruption mode at the Christmas festival. They created chaos in a diocesan school in Assam’s Nalbari town on Christmas Eve and destroyed Christmas decorations there, with the law-enforcing authorities turning a blind eye to the incidents. Disruptions were also reported from different parts of the country, including Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, over the past week.
The dissonance between the PM’s message and the intimidation on the ground cannot be wished away. If the PM’s message is to prevail, it must be matched by urgent and visible action, including against those within his own party, the Sangh Parivar and other right-wing elements who
are determined to give the lie to it.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Fundamental rights must be protected
Some elements belonging to right-wing organisations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal were once again seen targeting Christian gatherings, charity programmes and community celebrations across several BJP-ruled states of India.
In videos widely circulated on social media, they were seen openly disrupting prayer meetings, stopping Christmas parties, questioning and even assaulting some poor vendors selling Santa caps and other Christmas items, and tearing down Christmas decorations put up at different locations by playing their same old, outdated ‘conversion card’.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen on Thursday attending the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi.
Do people living in this country still have the right to practice and follow the religion of their choice as free-born citizens of India? Well, if our PM really cares for the well-being of the Christian community in India, then he should dare to get all the above anti-social elements arrested, as it is tarnishing the image of India globally. India is home to diverse people belonging to different religions, and therefore the fundamental rights of all communities should be fully protected.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Suo motu action imperative
Over the past week, we have been witness to the hate being unleashed by right-wing fringe elements targeting Christians and their festivities. What action are the honourable courts taking in this matter? Suo motu cognisance must be invoked without delay. After the immense contribution the Christian community has made to society, especially in the fields of education, healthcare and social service, is this the recompense it deserves?
A deep sense of insecurity is clearly brewing. It is imperative that those in positions of authority speak up decisively and act immediately to halt this growing unrest and restore confidence and harmony. The world is watching.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
No respite for night travellers
Another massive bus blaze, and this time in Karnataka near Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, has left everyone in a state of shock and despair. In the October Kurnool accident, more than 20 passengers had lost their lives, and in the Hiriyur accident, where a container truck collided with the road divider and rammed into the private Volvo, officials have put the number at five.
Of the 29 passengers, nearly 25 were below the age of 30, eager to enjoy their vacations at the picturesque and holy Gokarna. The height of the dividers is being questioned all over, and rightly so.
On the said Pune–Bengaluru highway, dividers are a joke for a major stretch; the authorities should seriously consider increasing the height and thickness of the road dividers instead of focusing on extending road networks pan-India, because saving lives is more critical than anything else.
Widening the gap between two divided adjacent roads needs to be considered expeditiously. It is time to restrict the speed of all vehicles on national highways with strict monitoring. Old buses that are in shambles have to be phased out. Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari should strictly concentrate on this aspect.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Training children as traffic wardens
In an exciting and progressive move, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is reportedly set to implement a traffic warden programme for schoolchildren in order to regulate congestion near schools. This initiative aims to equip young minds with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage road safety and traffic rules, while also raising awareness about responsible behaviour on the roads.
One of the primary advantages of training schoolchildren as traffic wardens is the long-term impact it can have on road safety. By involving children in this programme, the Corporation is fostering a generation that understands the importance of traffic rules and the dangers of unsafe behaviour on the road. Children often serve as messengers in their families and communities. A child who learns about road safety and traffic rules at school can pass on this knowledge to parents, grandparents, and even neighbours. This creates a ripple effect that extends beyond the school walls.
Being a traffic warden is about leadership and responsibility. Additionally, as they take on this role, students develop a sense of civic duty and become more aware of their community’s well-being. It is also a great opportunity for children to learn how to work as a team, coordinate with others, and communicate effectively. Children may be young, but their voices are influential. By being informed, responsible and confident, schoolchildren can help create safer roads and encourage adults to adopt better road safety habits. The various civic bodies and panchayats in the state need to implement this novel idea in schools that come under their jurisdiction.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
