May many more excel like Saurabh
There is undoubtedly a very huge potential within Goa’s student community. The educational authorities need to identify, encourage and nurture the students to excel in their talents. Our students must be motivated to be the best and brightest.
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The recent achievement by 30-year-old Saurabh Laxman Raikar from Cumbharjua in obtaining the distinction of being the youngest to obtain a PhD in Engineering from Goa University is very remarkable.
Students, in displaying their talent, must be absolutely confident that transparency and the highest level of integrity prevail in every educational institution. The educational turf must be free from manipulation, with merit being always the sole guiding factor. There should not be even the slightest doubt over the manner in which centres of learning are being run, as otherwise the faith of students would be vitiated.
With ethics and probity in the dispensation of education, may we see many more outstanding achievers like Saurabh making us all proud while bringing glory to our Goa.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Use renewable energy during music events
The British rock band ‘Coldplay’ uses renewable energy (RE) in the form of an electric battery system to run its audio, laser, and lights during its tours. The band members drive electric vehicles, use alternative fuels wherever feasible, reduce plastic and waste. Goa being famous for its sun and electronic dance and music (EDM) events, the local and outstation bands should use solar energy during their shows. The government could mandate that at least 50% of the electricity be from RE and to encourage this initiative, they should offer a discount on the fees charged for the events. This would help to lessen the overload on the electricity supply, especially during the month of December when EDM jigs reach a crescendo in Goa. Even during other occasions such as public meetings, exhibitions, ‘Grapescapade’, cashew fruit crushing etc. the organisers should be made to use RE.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Tourists, be alert! It’s monsoon time
Goa is usually promoted as a land of sunny beaches, temples and ‘Rome of the East’, along with its churches. Accordingly, beaches are a great attraction for the tourist, but they need to safeguard themselves during the monsoon. The Arabian Sea tends to be rough and a type of cyclonic depression do occur during the onset of the monsoon season. Time and again warnings are also been given in the local dailies for the fishermen. Despite this, there are many tourists who venture into the sea by getting drunk and disobeying the lifeguards. Evidently, there are many cases wherein the tourist lose sight of the danger that’s infront of them, when they are engaged in taking selfies, as was the case of the U.P. native, recently, thus leading to a disastrous death. What is even worse is that the tourists are unaware about the depth of the sea and the pull of the strong currents. Nevertheless, it’s really disheartening as in this incident of the U.P. native that their enjoyment turned into mourning with bitter memories. Eventually, this could have been averted if the tourist had obeyed the advice of the lifeguards and stayed in the safety zone.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Rajasthan.
Unnecessary litigations
What the governments of the day easily understand in their day- to-day work is that the courts are their biggest saviours. When cases filed by the governments before the High Courts and the Supreme Court are perused, nearly forty percent are frivolous or silly. Why the governments file cases before the courts is easy to decipher – to buy time. That is precisely the reason as to why central and state governments are litigants in approximately forty six percent of cases before the courts. Also, the best recourse for an officer to avoid accusations is to take recourse to litigations. Cases are often filed before a division bench against the order of the single judge in High Courts despite the government law officers knowing well that they will not withstand the test of scrutiny by the higher benches.
Notwithstanding strictures by courts, the governments are busy filing cases. The already overburdened courts are at a loss, whether or not to sift authentic cases from the senseless ones becomes an intimidating question even to the powerful institution. So, the governments have to act fast. No less than the Supreme Court has constantly advised the governments to desist from filing cases at the drop of a hat. Meanwhile, the ‘National Litigation Policy’ deserves a serious revamp. Words like ‘responsibility’ and ‘sensitisation’ in the policy have had little takers, and that’s very unfortunate. That’s not surprising for obvious reasons. But after repeated top court castigation, the governments cannot take things for granted.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Develop Hollant beach
It is learnt that there are reportedly major plans for the development of Bogmalo. A newly constructed retaining wall along with beautification that includes seating arrangements and aesthetic lighting along the beach was inaugurated along Bogmalo the beach recently. A nearby lake will reportedly be utilized for boating and kayaking. This is a good move by the government as it will promote tourism through the beach. However it is pertinent to note that the Hollant Beach which is not very far from the Bogmalo beach also needs attention. A large number of people visit the Hollant Beach which is also preferred by senior citizens for the annual sea-water bath during the summer as there are no big waves in this area. It also attracts many groups of picnickers during the weekend. However the beach appears to be in a state of neglect.
The retaining wall which had collapsed during the cyclone Tauktae which hit the Goa coast two years back is in a state of disrepair and poses danger to the visitors of this pristine beach. Several coconut trees had uprooted and are still lying on the ground. Besides developing the Bogmalo Beach the government needs to make the Hollant Beach attractive for the visitors and provide facilities such as changing rooms, and wash-rooms, besides other facilities such as parking.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Leaders should not delve into the past
The article ‘Leaders are not elected to delve into the past but should have priorities that build temples of trust. Will going back to the past solve painful issues plaguing Goans at present?’ appearing in O Heraldo Insight is truly beautiful and thought-provoking. We do hope better sense prevails amongst our elected leaders. May they broaden their outlook and be more positive in their thinking and being influencing factors, be constructive and not destructive.
Joaquim Pinto, Mapusa
