Can Oppn in Goa unite before polls?
This is to indicate my like for the article ‘Opposition unity needed to save Goa (Herald, February 11) by Jose Maria Miranda indicating the imperativeness of joining by the opposition parties together to hack those who illegally and immorally denied the clear winners their right to form their ministry.
In view of this, if Opposition parties do not unite to get the comfortable majority then once again we will have the same repetition for another term which will destroy Goa fully, if not, then all the opposition parties that are labelling the ruling party as anti-Goan must decide now only to join together under one banner like Janata Party did in 1977 or do the seat sharing among all the contesting Opposition Parties with common goals.
Individual parties are not in a position to gain anything, they will only brighten the chances of the ruling party to form the Government.
In view of this, I strongly feel that all those individuals eager to contest the coming election along with all the Opposition parties clamouring to decimate the BJP by inflicting a resounding defeat on them, must form their own alliance by sharing. Otherwise their cry for dethroning BJP will be a big joke and they the big jokers.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Hybrid vehicles, a better option
It is learnt that the Goa government will be offering a slew of incentives for citizens buying electric vehicles (EVs). There will be cash incentives in the form of buy-back programmes where they will be able to exchange their vehicles that run on petrol for electric bikes. It is also proposed to waive the registration fees, besides offering a subsidy in order to make the electric vehicles affordable and accessible. It is understood that there are close to a million two-wheelers in Goa comprising almost 70% of the state’s vehicle population. It is a fact that vehicles that run purely on electricity do not cause emissions and are therefore environment friendly.
The government is installing public charging stations in the State. All this looks very attractive but there are some questions which need answers. It is understood that the electric two-wheeler takes around three to four hours to get fully charged while filling a petrol tank to full capacity takes a few minutes. With close to a million two-wheelers on the roads, there will be utter commotion at the charging stations. The electric vehicle can travel up to 100 km on a single charge.
Hence only travelling within the State may be possible. Inter-State travel on an electric two-wheeler may not be possible as there may be no charging stations on the highway. A better option would be a hybrid vehicle which runs both on electricity and petrol.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Beware of online fraudsters
This has reference to the report ‘Don’t fall prey to online cheats: Ponda police’ (Herald, February 13). There are always two sides to a coin and the same goes for technology as well. In view of the increasing online frauds, the Ponda police advice to the citizens to be alert to such online fraudsters, is appropriate. While the internet has brought the world closer where distance does not matter anymore, it is disgusting and frustrating to see how these fraudsters are making use of the internet to fool the people. Whether it is losing money from their bank accounts or a dubious love affair these fraudsters know how to get the gullible public in their grasp. However, the sad part is that even seemingly educated people are falling prey to these online fraudsters. Several campaigns are being run on the social platforms making people aware of online frauds, advising them to cautious, not to entertain these calls, not to share the OTP numbers, etc, but it all seems to be falling on deaf ears.
One hopes the general public would wake up to reality – in time!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Hatching conspiracy against the country
Are/were the leaders and participants of Ramjanmabhoomi Andolan, who accomplished a “divine job” on December 6, 1992 to pave the way for the construction of the “much-cherished” Ram Mandir of “dreams”, also “Andolan jeevis” and “Parasites” in a mission of hatching “conspiracy” against the country by pursuing “Foreign Destructive Ideology”!
Or “Andolan jeevis” are only those who dare to lodge non-violent protest against BJP, Narendra Modi and NDA Government policies in this democratic country possessing Constitutional right of freedom of speech. But if “Andolan” gets registered in the most violent fashion by the saffron brigade, by exercising brute muscular power and taking law in their own hands; it is nothing but practice of “pure cultural nationalism”!
What is the exact answer — Surely the nation wants to know!
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
Go green, go electric
The use of fossil fuels by vehicles over the past century has wreaked havoc on the environment by way of pollution but there seems to be some hope for the world yet. Solar and electric power is the way forward if we wish to save this planet for a little while longer. Towards this end the Goa government is also doing its bit by incentivising the use of Electric Vehicles in the State.
People buying EVs shall now be offered cash incentives in the form of a buyback programme wherein they would be able to exchange their petrol powered two wheelers for electric mobility solutions, also registration fees shall be waived to bring down the cost of ownership by 5%.
Goa is home to almost 9 lakh two wheelers (which comprise 70% of the vehicular population) with @ 300 new additions on the roads every day. EVs run on electricity with zero emissions and almost nil sound, therefore ticking all the right boxes when it comes to environment which is such a hot button topic these days. Two wheeled EVs get fully charged in four hours (9 hours for cars) and have a nominal range of 100 kms for bikes and 400 kms for four wheelers, this is set to increase with the advent of better and more efficient aluminium based batteries.
Public charging stations are proposed to be set up statewide for both two and four wheelers as part of the green initiative. The clean mobility scheme is being extended to provide for portable solar powered chargers for two wheelers, imagine having a fuel station in your storage compartment.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Radio, still the Romeo among mass media
We celebrated World Radio Day on February 13. Let us not forget the way in which this magic voice through the sky has offered us everything – information , entertainment, instruction, advices and what not.
Even in today’s era where the latest cyber devices and gadgets rule the roost of media and communication world the radio has not lost its image and popularity. Radio is definitely the voice and pulse of a society and it brings the family and community together.
Generations of us Indians grew up listening to Jaymala, Bhule bisre geeth, Hawa Mahal, Chhaya Geeth and the famous Binaca Geetmala.
The happiness one derives from listening to music, especially the radio is truly a class apart and that only radio lovers will know it. Whoever can forget Ameen Sayani saheb and his immortal Binaca geeth mala aired by Sri Lanka broadcasting corporation during 1970s, 80’s and 90’s.
With his golden voice Sayani saheb mesmerised the young and the old alike and the radio show became one of the greatest in the world with one man hypnotising millions with his magical voice.
Radio definitely is here to stay and will remain one of man’s best companion forever.
M Pradyu, Kannur
