Cavelossim’s natural disaster preparedness
The coastal village panchayat of Cavelossim, headed by the Sarpanch, has come out with a novel initiative to meet any disasters, which can occur during this monsoon. The panchayat has reportedly launched a 25-member disaster and rescue team, under the chairmanship of the sarpanch, as part of preparedness for the coming monsoon season. In addition two vehicles equipped with basic equipment such as cutters, chain blocks, ropes, pruners, portable generators, emergency lights, safety helmets and life-saving equipment will be made available.
It is learnt that citizens from various sections such as shack owners, fishermen, water-sports operators, nurses, etc. have volunteered to be part of the team. This is a very good move by the panchayat and needs to be emulated by other panchayats and even civic bodies. It must be said that whenever there is an emergency due to a natural disaster, time is of essence while carrying out the rescue operation. Instead of waiting for the government to respond to the emergency, the locals can assist the victims in a short period of time. There could be some delay in the arrival of the 108 ambulance and the fire brigade. Hence in such a crisis a team of volunteers from the locality who are well equipped with life saving devices can be of great help.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Why are we becoming a violent society?
The latest horror that we have seen is, a Mumbai man, after killing his partner, chopped her body into pieces, boiled it in a cooker to dispose of her body parts and feed some to stray dogs! A similar incident was reported wherein, a live-in partner, chopped the body into pieces, this time parts stored them in a fridge, to dispose of them in due course. Then there was the case of a rejected advances of a boy who stabbed a girl in broad daylight multiple times, with many onlookers watching or passing by, but no one dared to stop him or take any action whatsoever, even when he came back and smashed her head with a stone!
Why do educated and apparently sane individuals do this? So many rapes and violent killings, beating a person to death, lynching etc have taken place. What is the government seriously doing about it, or is it their policies and patronage of extra state actors and politicizing the police that is responsible for these gory happenings? Glorifying a macho government, police no longer a citizen’s police but bowing to their political masters? We can clearly see that ‘be you high or low’ the law is not equally applied and the influential culprits get away with impunity. Polarizing civil society is dangerous, having long term consequences!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Portugal left a mark on India
This refers to the editorial ‘Goan-Portuguese identity is a foundation of a legacy’ (O Heraldo June 9, 2023). While no politician in Goa can fill the shoes of late CM Manohar Parrikar, the current CM Pramod Sawant has etched a name for himself and has emerged as the strongest politician in the state. By citing his old theme, the CM wishes to erase traces of Portuguese rule in the State. According to him, the Portuguese rulers of Goa had destroyed hundreds of temples and it was time such past wrongs were corrected. If the CM is determined to erase the Portuguese legacy that makes an interesting part of Indian history, he will be doing more harm than good to the Goan society. In fact, Indian defenders of British colonialism cite extensive railroads, educational institutions and spread of English language that has benefited India.
Though the injustices of the Portuguese colonial rule are understandable, the amalgamation of Portuguese and local Goan cultures continues to thrive in society, from of cuisine to festivals and architecture. The churches and convents of Goa even enjoy UNESCO World Heritage status which make Goa unique and draws international tourists to this beautiful state, earning substantial revenue for the state. In fact, the hon’ble CM has been trying to woo Portugal and is even striving to ink an MoU on tourism and IT with Lisbon. Discontinuing Portuguese legacy in Goa will certainly not go down well with Goa-Portugal relations today. This will result in a self-goal for Sawant and a big loss for Goa.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Must fight child labour
School should be the child’s only workplace. According to the International Labour Organisation, any work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental health, is child labour. In other words, any type of work that prevents a child from going to school, forces a child to abandon school, at an early age, or work that requires a child to attend school with heavy workload, is child labour. Child labour is a fertile breeding ground for social ills like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and population growth.
According to the 2011 census, there were about 10 million child labourers in India in the 5-14 age group. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 amended in 2016, as Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits employment of a child below 14 in any employment including domestic work. It did well to ban the working of below 14-year-old children except in family-run-or-owned enterprise although the definition of ‘family-owned’ is ambiguous. That said, dangerous and risky working conditions are still not too precise. All Collectors and the Superintendents of Police would do well to do an extensive study on why the conviction rate for child labour offenders, is abysmal. After all, education and awareness are two handy tools to beat child labour.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Let children attend Bal Gram Sabhas
Congratulations to the Sarpanch Joseph Sequiera and the panchas for publicly declaring a Bal Gram Sabha for the children of Calangute village. The call by the Chairperson of Goa State Commission for Children’s Right has asked the DoP to declare Bal Gram Sabha on April 24. Few might have conducted the Bal Gram Sabhas. This is a welcome step to listen to the children’s view and issues. Under the Goa Children’s Act every panchayat has to establish a child committee but the Calangute Panchayat went one step ahead and has officially announced it. Now, it’s upto the Director of the Panchayat to declare two Bal Gram Sabhas for the village children to attend. The children will be able to express themselves on issues that concern them and hopefully the elders and politicians will keep their ears wide open to listen to them, if Goa has to be saved from environmental destruction. We can have a better Regional plan rather than have experts who have minds of destruction and dishonesty.
Children of Calangute must attend in large numbers and the catechism for the day can be readjusted to give these children an opportunity not to skip the Bal Gram Sabha.
Gregory E Dsouza, Siolim
