Self-imposed lockdown
Even as the State government has decided not to impose a lockdown as suggested by some cities where there is a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, certain cities and villages have gone into self-imposed lockdown. Every individual has the right to protect his life and that of the others. In the absence of any lockdown, it is for the citizens to shut down their businesses voluntarily and no one can object to it. Fear is the key.
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With the number of cases rising exponentially in the state, the onus is on the citizens to protect themselves and remain safe. Staying at home, social-distancing wearing the mask and closing their businesses is the only way to go ahead to fight this deadly virus. The government may have it’s own obligations not to go for a total lockdown in the state which would have been the ideal thing to do. The saying “each one for himself and God for all” does hold weight to a certain extent.
But in the prevailing circumstances by taking necessary precautions we are not only saving our own lives but the lives of those around us as well. Hence a self-imposed lockdown by the citizens of a locality could be the only way forward.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
All that glitters is not gold
We humans always ran a race, that too by following others. One has to only get a successful job; handsome or beautiful partner, get married have kids, run after money and have good looks and fame.
But 2020 the year where a virus kept us home and celebrities that had everything in life commit suicide. The recent death news of young Sushant Singh Rajput shocked us all. Cause his latest movie he acted in which he taught how to deal with depression; that the battle doesn’t have to end with suicide. Sadly in reality he himself committed suicide. One might wonder what did he not have. Money, fame, good looks, hit successful movies… But we don’t know what he was dealing with mentally that made him take his own life leaving behind pain to his family; friends and fans.
We common people deal with depression too that’s why we always have to be kind to others and know that just cause a person deals with depression doesn’t mean. He or she is mentally sick. It means that they are dealing with emotions beyond their control. They just need you to show them love and support. And off course hear them out. When they call or message. Let’s be there for one another before it’s too late. We are already fighting Covid-19 together.
Let us be there for those who suffer in depression too. Let’s not run a race anymore. Be safe. Be strong.
Reena Maria, Divar
Just listen
This was not an age to depart. 34 is certainly not an age. The news of Sushant Singh Rajput’s sad demise was indeed shocking. The noon went gloomy. Channels and columns would be abuzz for a few days and then things would again be normal. But nobody thinks as to why such a thing happens.
Just a few days back Disha Salian ended her life, who incidentally was his former manager. This proves once again that money, fame has very very limited role in life. Life is beyond that. Its not just physical existence with this mortal body. Its about mind also. When are we going to take these things seriously?
When somebody comes to you to tell something, just listen. And listen without being judgemental. Just listen unconditionally. That is what is required for these people. For us that thing may be trivial but for him/her it may be life and death. In this age of loneliness this is the least we can do.
Milind Kulkarni, Taleigao
Accountibility in CCP working
Our High Court has very rightly rapped the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) for high-handedly having converted the Campal Parade ground into a garbage dump. Part of that waste has been now dumped at the very entrance of Ribandar. The inaction by the Goa State Pollution Control Board on this gross violation of law is also questionable.
Over the years the CCP has been only moving around the heaps of garbage while the issue has now reached a point of crisis. It has been garbage mismanagement galore.
The very vital Panjim market and our Kadamba Bus terminal are stinking and in very dire straits, while the St Inez and Rua de Ourem creeks continue to be a horrible eyesore with our nostrils bearing the brunt of that unbearable stench. The stagnation and neglect of vital infrastructure, the environment and sustainable development is all too evident.
The city’s gardens and parks are also in a despicable state. The coffers of the CCP should have actually been overflowing but for reasons known to all they are empty or rather have been willfully emptied. The inaction of the authorities on the over two decade old multi-crore Panjim market scam says it all.
Unless there is transparency and accountability in the working of the CCP with zero tolerance to any scams, Goa’s capital city will languish as it is. With the CCP elections scheduled for March next year let us hope the citizens elect young and bright Corporators who are knowledgeable persons with integrity and a vision.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Actor’s death is a wake-up call
Once again the dark side of the glamour world lies open for public dissection. The shocking suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput was ironical as the dashing youth icon with lakhs of fans was sadly a victim of loneliness and depression. It is indeed distressing that despite being immensely popular, he had no one to talk to about his personal anguish. All his money could not get him happiness. He had a lot of potential as actor but little time to nurture himself as a satisfied soul. It is a lesson for today’s youth who get blinded by the glamor world and lose themselves in it. They need to understand that the people on top are very few while there are many who have failed miserably and end up like Sushant Singh Rajput.
Sadly, this part of their life is not highlighted by the media who are busy themselves in only exploring their lifestyle namely their designer houses, cars, clothes and lavish parties. We are only made privy to their big fat weddings or social occasions where crores are wasted but never are we shown the loneliness that they suffer in private.
Do we know of those several wannabes and starlets who could not make it to the top or the ugly side of the so called glamorous world where out of work stars or yesteryear stars fight depression born out of their flop movies and lost stardom. Hope youngsters realise that that all that glitters is not gold.
Altaf Shah, Vasco
Covid-19 needs a cure and a miracle
These are the times when the religious leaders and the scientists especially the pharmaceutical sector has to stick to one another and reinforce one another in the quest for the elusive Covid-19 vaccine and cure. The world is in the throes of a major pandemic that have to make all peoples come together to alleviate the sufferings of about 8 million patients who have contracted the novel coronavirus.
The medical and the religious leaders have to come out openly in quest for assisting one another to find a cure or a miracle, a scientific discovery or a very big miracle so that the suffering millions’ plight is alleviated in a manner which has the support of all the scientists and religious fraternity. It is possible that if the world is united in fighting Covid-19, the suffering millions are delivered from the strangle hold of the novel coronavirus. May we achieve success by fighting this major battle together, in spiritual unison.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
