Jal Shakti, an eye wash by Goa govt
This is in reference to the article regarding Jal Shakti where Goa was declared the first state for providing 100% water supply. These are all eye wash for the citizens of Goa.
I have been residing at Datteshwar Residency, near Military Camp, Chimbel for the past 7 years and since then have exhausted all means and political pressure to persuade the Govt. to provide water line for that area. The local MLA to the PWD authorities to the CM were approached but none listened to our problem.There are around 100 households existing in that area who manage with borewells or tankers till date.
It is frustrating that basic necessities are being deprived to us and to top it all, they give false promises every year during elections. Hope the Government listens to the woes of the downtrodden and do something fruitful rather than giving false statements.
Flavia Barua, Chimbel
Covid-test? Yes please
In the fight against Covid the state government has at most been a game trier but compounding the problem is the reticence of the general populace to come forward and get themselves tested especially if they are symptomatic.
Goa is still averaging @ 450 cases a day but to assume that the pandemic is receding would be a fallacy, unfortunately reluctance to getting tested is driven by social taint attached to the disease, Covid seems to be the new leprosy.
Many people even after suffering from fever for three days or more remain confined to their homes untested for fear that society may ostracize them. They rush to seek medical attention only when acute breathlessness sets in, but by then it is too late for some.The homebound indicative patients become disease multipliers and with the state health infrastructure creaking at the seams it is difficult to monitor even home isolation cases.
In this time of pandemic it is our bounden duty to get ourselves tested at the slightest manifestation or if we have been in proximity to a suspected case. Some kind of whistleblowing is also required on our part, i.e. to report a symptomatic neighbour to the health authorities, this could help check spread and end up saving many lives. Citizens would be well advised to invest in an oximeter to check blood oxygen saturation levels because a drop in oxygen is one of the earliest pointers to the disease. Also we can not but sufficiently stress upon wearing masks in public, the government can only do so much and no further. Bravely facing social stigma and it’s attendant ills would be a much better alternative to losing one’s life.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Organic farming in Goa needs a boost
A report released by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that organic farming and natural farming has not become a mass movement in India.
According to the survey a mere 2 percent of India’s net sown area is organically farmed and only 1.3 percent of the farmers in the country are registered to do organic farming. Organic food production does not use chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides or chemical preservatives and hence has several health benefits. Hence it is gaining popularity across the globe.
Various states in the country can play an important role in helping farmers sell their organic and natural produce by procuring the organic produce and helping farmers get remunerative prices. Farmers of organic and natural produce need to be able to sell the produce directly to the consumer. The consumer needs to know where the organic produce is available. Hence it would be desirable to have a separate area in the market-place earmarked for selling only organic produce. Adequate availability of good quality and affordable organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers need to be put in place. The state should make available city compost as an organic fertilizer.
The country needs a well-funded country-wide program in order to change towards organic and natural farming. The Goa government too needs to boost organic farming in the state so that people can enjoy the health benefits and farmers can make a profit.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Cinema halls should now reopen
Cinema halls all over the country should now start reopening. But there should be adequate physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times.
There should also be hand sanitizers, preferably in the touch-free mode, at the entry and exit points as well as common areas within the premises. Respiratory etiquettes should also be strictly followed. This involves the strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing with a tissue or handkerchief or flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly. Use of face masks should also be made mandatory. Spitting should also be strictly prohibited.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Empty vessels make more sound
Eight pm is a very dangerous time on Indian TV as this is the chosen time for the PM of India to come on air and make some outlandish declarations like notebandi.
Another event that has occurred at 8 pm is to come out on the balcony and bang the thalis or light diyas. But what is happening now is that the same Covid-19 workers for whom we were lighting diyas and banging thalis have not been paid for more than five months.
So will the PM of India come on TV at 8pm to announce that the Covid-19 warriors will be paid by 8pm after the announcement?
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Goa, a paradise for Indian tourists?
Indian tourists are taking advantage of Goa and Goans right, left, front and back and every where its possible. As soon as Unlock-5 was declared by the central government, Indian tourists started rushing to Goa and enjoy, act the way they like and they want without bothering what Goa government says and what Goa police does.
They roam all over Goa without masks and without any fear of anyone,even Goa police.They are openly saying that they want to enjoy on the Goan beaches with their families without masks. Fine for the said offence is mere a sum of hundred rupees which is okay for them,which they are willing to pay without any hassles.They add further that the fine in Bangalore for the same offence is Rs 1,000. It seems that they are not afraid of Goa police and not bothered about Goa Government s SOPs. One more examples we can see is that Indian tourists come to Goa to utilize their false and fake currency notes. Others come to Goa to bet and gamble by betting on IPL matches which are being played in UAE. These Indian tourists are under the impression that Goa is a soft place in the whole of India to do what they want without any fear of Goa government nor Goa police.Some come to Goa to enjoy Rave parties where drugs are involved. Not only this, the migrants who are without jobs due to Covid pandemic are sleeping on Goan footpaths in each and every corner of Goa.
As they cannot afford to pay rent to stay in rented places and to meet their daily expenses they indulge in illegal activities such as kidnapping, looting,robbing houses, shops, temples, chapels, every thing that they think is possible for them to rob. They do not care for anyone, Goa Government nor Goa police. There are many examples to give,the list is big.
I would like to request our Goa Government, please do something and act accordingly so that Indian tourists have some fear,respect and responsibilities when they visit Goa in future.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
