Platinum from catalytic converters!
The Colvale police arrested a man for stealing 122 catalytic converters from four-wheelers. The overall worth of the confiscated goods is Rs 10 lakhs and 66 kgs of carbon/dust particles of Rs 10.56 lakhs from which platinum (Pt) element can be retrieved costing Rs16,000 per kg.
We need to admire the ingenuity and knowledge of this man who is not a metallurgist or chemical engineer but knew that Pt can be sourced from a humble car silencer.
Platinum, one of the noble metals along with gold, silver, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium and osmium; is in demand in the global market and is used in jewellery, dentistry, electrodes among others.
The man must have read Mark Twain who rightly said, “”I never let my schooling interfere with my education.” After release from jail, the man should be employed in research laboratory or metallurgical industries to help retrieve the other noble metals from car silencers! India has marvellously talented people! More strength to “Vocal for Local!”
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Preventing fire
accidents in industries
There was a major fire incident in a paint manufacturing factory in the Pilerne Industrial Estate generating clouds of smoke causing panic in many parts of North Goa and as far away as Panaji. The fire, considered as the biggest fire disaster in the history of Goa has reportedly caused losses running into crores of rupees. While the authorities are trying to ascertain the reason for the fire, prima facie it reportedly looks like an electrical short circuit. Be that as it may, it is learnt that most fire incidents in industries happen due to an electrical short circuit and one of the common reasons for such mishaps is earthing failure.
Short circuits occur during overloading or when two bare wires touch. A circuit is said to be overloaded when too much current flows causing heat build up or wiring to break down. This can lead to sparks and fire. The size of the wire, outlets and circuit breakers are designed for an anticipated electrical load. Deteriorated insulation is one of the most frequent causes of short circuits. When too many lights or appliances are attached to the electrical system, it will overload and overheat. This can cause the wire insulation to melt and ignite, resulting in an electrical fire. A ‘circuit breaker’ or ‘fuse’ is a safety device designed to prevent accidental overloading of electrical circuits. It is prudent to carry out regular checks of the electrical circuit in industries.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Exorbitant
taxi fares
Most of the passengers I have met who travelled from the Manohar International Airport Mopa have clearly stated that they feel better arriving at the Dabolim Airport, as there is complete mess and chaos everyday while traveling from Mopa to south district .
Most passengers are compelled to shell out a lot of money for taxi fares, even more than what they pay for the airfare. Some even said that a helicopter ride would be much cheaper than the taxi fare, which is very high.
People have no option but to pay the hefty taxi fares to reach their destination or travel by bus for a cheaper fare compared to the taxi fare even though bus fare is also high.
However, this is not the case in neighbouring states. If the government has no alternative to decrease the fare, then they should write to the Konkan Railway to start metro services from Pernem to Canacona .
If this happens then the taxi rates will also decrease automatically without any fuss from the cab operators or the government agencies.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
TN Guv’s walkout from Assembly in bad taste
By staging an unprecedented walkout from the Assembly after intentionally skipping a few key portions and adding a few on his own of the approved text while making his customary address, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has not only brought a new low to the House, but as well further sullied his image by himself.
It is the tradition that as per the Constitution, Governors read out the text in full prepared by the State governments. That Ravi refused to even read the name of Dr B R Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, is highly disappointing. It is all the more upsetting that unpatriotically he walked out even before the recital of the national anthem. The tumultuous incident in the TN Assembly last Monday has further escalated the already simmering relationship between the governor and the political Executive of the State, and it is a clear indication of how the position of a governor is being misused in a democracy for political gains by the ruling BJP. The conduct of Governors like Ravi do no good to the country’s federal structure and unity and integrity. With the momentum gaining strength in Tamil Nadu for the recall of Ravi, it may not be surprising that if the situation leads to a ‘Marina Revolution-II.’
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Be careful while
flying kites
The kite festival of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) is regarded as one of the biggest festivals celebrated in the western part of India. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India. The tradition of kite flying is believed to have started amongst the kings and royalties. However, over the years, it has become a popular sport and has begun to reach the common mass.
Kites flown are known to use a strong special string which is made by applying glass powder on it (known as manjha) to provide it a cutting edge. This practice of using an abrasive thread for kite fighting has posed a great threat to birds and even humans. The impact on birds however is much larger. Birds when in flight, fail to notice the fine glass-coated thread, get entangled in it and injure themselves causing fractures, mutilation of wings and nerve injuries. At times, the minute glass pieces used in the manjha get embedded in their bodies adding to the misery and eventual death. Additionally, these strings unlike their cotton counterpart do not lose its strength even after getting wet and hence stays for a long time in the environment, creating potential threat for the birds both local and migratory.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Crisis in
sacred town
The crisis in the sacred town of Joshimath took a turn for the worse after more buildings developed cracks. As a result, the total count of subsidence-affected homes rose to 678 on Monday. The authorities evacuated 27 more families to safe locations taking the total number of families shifted to 82. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary S S Sandhu ordered the immediate demolition of all damaged buildings.
At a tipping point, Joshimath is important from a strategic perspective as it is about 100 km from the Line of Actual Control with China.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
