Heartbreak, but must not lose heart
ISRO failing to put its state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite into orbit is heartbreaking, but we must not lose heart. The satellite, designed and developed to give advance information on weather, agriculture, forestry, natural disasters and water bodies, suffered a technical anomaly at the cryogenic stage.
The failure has come as a jolt to ISRO, whose cryogenic engines have fared better than Russia and the European countries, but one is sure that this setback will make it emerge stronger.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Dengue scare in Vasco
With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, dengue cases are also on rise in the port town. Change of weather has given rise to dengue cases in the area of Chicalim, Dabolim and Mormugao. It is a fact that most of the roads in the state have developed pot-holes. At some places the pot-holes resemble huge craters. These pot-holes get filled with rainwater. It is pertinent to note that it rains intermittently. A spell of heavy rain is followed by bright sunshine. This happens to be the ideal condition for the breeding of mosquitoes which could be taking place in water-filled pot-holes on roads where there is less traffic.
It is true that the female mosquito Aedes aegypti, which spreads Dengue, breeds in clean water. There could be pot-holes on the edge of the roads which are filled with clean rain-water. It makes very little sense when citizens are advised to see that no water accumulates in flower-pots, empty coconut-shells, used tyres, etc.
It would be prudent for the civic bodies and the Panchayats to take necessary steps to prevent the occurrence of vector borne disease in their respective areas. It is pertinent to note that just like in the case of the coronavirus, there is no specific cure for dengue except symptomatic treatment including hydration and monitoring of blood count. Fogging is one way to kill the mosquito larvae. This needs to be carried out by the civic bodies and Panchayats at regular intervals as and when the weather permits.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
The last dance
Perhaps the last dance politicians can dance this election while niz Goenkars stand united for ‘amchem Goyem amkam zai’. Well written front page article ‘They Will Dance For Your Votes’ (Herald Insight, August 14).
Nothing more we have left with us now while those we voted to power have cheated us with vain promises. While the elected representatives lived in luxury and comforts of life, the common man struggled for his daily bread. This election let us be the change to see the world we want to see.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
Crimes unleashed on women!
In a short span of a couple of weeks Goa was rocked with crimes against women most of whom were minors and teenagers. Why?
Despite the circumstantial evidence available at the death of a 19-year-old girl at Calangute, the police were quick to rule out foul play: why? In the Benaulim minors rape case, there was reportedly the phone call made to the police to spare the victims. This ‘interference’ from the elected was also witnessed at the attack at Kharebandh.
In the current case too, the police were quick in their interpretation because they either already received instructions from some political or other influential person or are expecting the same.
This is the answer to the ‘why’ Goa is witnessing these acts. Because the political parties protesting these crimes do not wish to unearth their ‘fellow’ politicians harboring the criminals. The Press too plays Godfather to politicians and does not pursue these leads. They believe that when criminal voters approach the politician, the latter must oblige! The Press too sympathisers with them!
After the calibre of politicians, it is the Press who are responsible for the pathetic conditions in Goa. They filter out criticism of their favourites – for favours to be received? – they spare mass murderers during the oxygen shortage deaths like they are the self-appointed guardians of Goa. They must then own responsibility.
R Fernandes, Margao
Design and plan of new HC building
Finally, Goa’s highest Temple of Justice will start functioning on August 17 from the new premises at Porvorim.
Surprisingly our High Court building has been designed like the Gujarat High Court and has no sloping roof. This may be impractical and inappropriate in view of the very heavy rainfall Goa gets. Experts opine that this flat roof will start leaking in a year or two.
With a lot of taxpayer’s money having been spent on our new High Court building, the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) should have planned our High Court for it to withstand and endure for decades to come the heavy monsoons that lash our State.
But the GSIDC is known for its very substandard projects. A glaring example is the prestigious Atal Setu Bridge across the Mandovi. We were assured it would last over a century but has developed huge craters on the bridge in the second year itself.
Instead of being just another concrete structure it would have been so appropriate if our new High Court building could have reflected the facets of Goan architecture. It could have symbolically established the continuity of the old buildings where our High court began its working, first from the old Judicial Commissioners Court in the city and then to the current old Lyceum complex at Altinho.
The legacy of Goa’s rich history in the field of Judicial and legal services should have been placed in a better context for posterity. There was room to plan and design our High Court with a Goan-centric finesse. But let us now live with this missed opportunity.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Parliament ruckus
Temple of Democracy was once again in news as there was Parliament storm on Tuesday in Rajya Sabha. Hooliganism, pandemonium, sloganeering are the words to be used for democracy. All started when Prakash Singh Bajwa stood on the desk of House and shouted to withdraw 3 farm bills and discussion on Snoopgate. And threw rule book at the chair of the House.
The demands can be always asked for with the permission of chair. The entire parliament was in chaos worst then class room of KG children. The children were asked to stand on desk when child did not complete his homework and was the punishment but desks in parliament are used as medium of protest and agitation.
The leaders are chosen and elected to table their views and opinions on any bill or amendment, but the MLAs waste public money and tax paid in disturbing the house where every minute is counted and valued. There should be strong amendments in rule as to how one should behave in House and lay down fines to the tune of crores of rupees when someone disturbs the House, when some one does not obey traffic rule on roads the common man is immediately stopped and issued challan but in parliament there is now such rules and looks common man is taken for granted.
The incident does not end here some of them have attacked women marshall who stopped leaders of opposition trying to attack the chair of house. Ex-officio chairman of Rajya Sabha and vice president of India almost broke down over the behavior of the leaders in the august gathering in House.
Its shameful to see the grown ups and elected representative forget their duty and behave like a infant or child in KG students. Perhaps this is a scene for all those who missed school days and environment in the primary class for last 2 years due to pandemic.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
