Let it be known as ‘Mopa Airport’
There is much controversy in naming the new Mopa Airport. The people of Mopa have sacrificed so much by way of loss of land and their perennial source of income. Even if some compensation is paid does not make up for their lifelong loss. So let the inhabitants take pride that the name Mopa remains on world map. Thus naming the airport after some political personality will be gross injustice to the inhabitants of Mopa.
Antonio F Fernandes, Arossim
Extraordinary traffic muddle in Panjim
The traffic nightmare faced by commuters in Panjim and the surrounding areas over the weekend was unprecedented but not surprising given that we cannot cope with normal traffic congestion and chaos. That the public had to face unnecessary hardship on account of Ironman sporting event held is unpardonable and a self-made tragedy.
No other city in the country would ever allow such man-made traffic mayhem. It only happens in Goa where the authorities senselessly allow anything and everything for reasons known to all. The welfare and wellbeing of the citizens is never ever borne in mind.
Panjim is already an extremely congested which has made things awful with the roads across the city currently being haphazardly dug. And to add to the misery was this Ironman event which threw the city out of gear and into peril.
Stringent and deterrent action needs to be taken against those responsible for allowing such a mega event despite the pathetic infrastructure and current despicable state of affairs in the city.
Functions, shows, and events of no benefit to innocent people struggling to go about their normal business should not be allowed to disrupt normal life. The traffic and municipal authorities should conduct a free, fair and independent assessment of the ground reality before clearing such disastrous events being promoted by the ruling politicians for obvious personal gains.
Those in power for selfish reasons should not be allowed to stretch things to a breaking point. This is exactly what was helplessly witnessed in and around Panjim. Unless and until the severely lacking basic infrastructure and viable traffic management system is in place the State should not host or entertain any such needless events.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Discipline the traffic offenders
The editorial of November 12 was a wake-up call with regards to the use of mercury and LED lights on vehicles. These lights are bright white and completely blind the person coming in the opposite direction, more so when high beams are used. These blinding lights should be banned all over Goa to prevent accidents and save lives. Converting lighting system from halogen to LED technology is illegal and the offenders can be issued a challan. How is it that the traffic police are oblivious to this rule and they are not penalising such motorists?
Besides, many two-wheeler riders are blissfully unaware that they are constantly riding with their head lights on high beam and they need to be educated of the dangers that they subject the other motorists to by their carelessness and insensitivity.
Honking needlessly is another malady on our roads which adds to the already existing cacophony and introduction of fines for such childish behaviour will also instill some decorum on our roads. Except for the sub-continent in no other advanced country honking is tolerated.
Another major issue specifically on Goan roads is driving on the No Entry roads. (Many streets in Panjim are one-way roads and since the introduction of these, traffic has become somewhat more regulated). But one can see many motorists breaking the rules with impunity. Traffic cops need to penalise such offenders rather than only stopping riders without helmets. Besides instilling discipline, there is so much revenue that can be collected from the offenders. Hope that after the recent seminar on traffic and accident-related issues the authorities will come out with some remedial measures so that we will have safer roads in Goa.
Alwyn M D’Sa, Miramar
Sextortionists on the prowl in K’taka
The cases of ‘Sextortion’ have been reported in neighbouring State of Karnataka, where the victim is blackmailed using sensitive or private photos or videos. Extorting money or other valuables is the least of concerns in such cases, as victims have even chosen to end their lives after falling prey to such traps. Even police, doctor, professor and MLA have been victims of ‘Sextortion’ in Karnataka. Most of these cases involve blackmailing victims with videos and photos, others allegedly make use of deep-fakes to harass and extort victims. There are instances where attractive fake profiles are created by criminals on social media, dating sites, matrimonial sites, and others. The scammers use them to entice and induce men to share their private pictures or videos, which are later used for blackmailing and extorting. These crimes are part of the new category of crimes aided by technology. It’s unfortunate that many people are falling prey to ‘Sextortion’. In some cases, victims fear societal shame and strike truce with the gang after paying the ransom with some negotiations. People are advised to not fall prey to such frauds and exercise caution while accepting any friend request from unknown persons.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Punish perpetrators
of rape
The many rape cases reported everyday expose our mindset. When such incidents occur we see reactions and responses from the victim’s side, the accused and human right activists. Perpetrators of such crimes are either rich or powerful or belong to lower strata of society. We blame the police and the government for the misdeeds of the accused. The rich people are powerful and use their resources and contacts to escape from the charges showing loopholes in our system which is cause of worry.
The laws of our country are strong but we have failed to implement them properly. The loopholes in our system should be plugged and severe punishment such as death sentence should be imposed on the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. The inquiry by the police should be impartial in such heinous crimes, which is not happening as the survival of the fittest is the order of the day and the situation will remain the same.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
BCCI eyeing a massive overhaul
The BCCI reportedly has set its eye for a massive overhaul of the Indian cricket team, following its agonising exit from this year’s T20 World Cup, and injecting young blood into the side ahead of the 2024 edition of the tournament. Sweeping changes with knee-jerk reactions cannot be the antidote for one bad performance, though unfortunately it came in a big knockout game. On current form, can the BCCI and the selectors think of not playing Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, who are aged above 30, in the next World Cup unless there is a dip in their batting? But for these two batters and to some extent Hardik Pandya, India wouldn’t have reached the last four in this T20 World Cup. In fact, among the current Indian players, unquestionably Kohli is physically the fittest, and who has been named the 7th most marketable athlete in the world in 2022, according to a list compiled by SportsPro partner NorthStar Solutions Group, which includes Messi and Ronaldo. Remember, both Jos Buttler and Alex Hales, who lorded over the Men in Blue at Adelaide, are aged above 30, and in all probability both will represent England in white ball cricket for the next few years at least. In any field, therefore to achieve success a team must comprise the right mix of experience and youth.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
