Senior Citizens and Covid vaccine
This is in reference to the news clipping ‘Vaccination camp in State-run health centres from today’ (Herald, March 15). While I appreciate that the vaccination drive for senior citizens in the State run health centres is under way from today (Monday), it is very annoying as a senior citizen to visit a health centre at Batim village which is close to my place without being vaccinated just today morning.
I was told to visit either at Mandur or Khorlim to get vaccinated which is a bit far from my residence. Hope your news clipping of Monday doesn’t serve the purpose in this pandemic.
Felix Pinto, by email
Care for future generations
I am glad that ordinary people are exploring climate issues in various parts of the country including Goa. There are lot of social activists trying to protect the planet and they have taken global warming and climate change seriously. More than the rich it is the poor who will bear the worst effects of climate change.
China followed by the US has the world’s largest carbon dioxide emissions. The onus is in both these countries to avert climate change disaster. In India we have Delhi becoming hazardous and don’t expect anything from the administration but the citizens of Delhi and surrounding areas should be more responsible. It is our duty as citizens to make the world a better place to live future generations. We should not be selfish, and should care about how the world will look like in 2070, or 2100, long after most of us will be no more in this world.
Our politicians should listen to the voices of change, those who care for the future of our planet.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Is Goa govt in power, a bouncer?
The Government in power with its diehard desh bakthi supporters has been playing the role of a bouncer trying to suppress the common man’s voice if he tries to bring to the notice of the Government that the good governance mantra is prevailing no more.
The public has been opposing many projects brought in by the Government bypassing the rule of consultations with stake holders at the cost of environmental degradation. The Govt appointees to various post seems to be playing to the tunes of his master.
The Supreme Court has pulled up the government for the municipal elections. A young lady youth who got elected unopposed to the Chicalim Panchayat was humiliated by the Goons of one of the powerful Minister for not showing up her support to the political party, they did not spare the Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira who has been in the forefront in taking forward the Atmanirbhar mission of the Prime Minister by forming the farmers club of the youth to take up farming during the pandemic lockdown. He convened the youth to learn about the need to pcrotect the fields and environment if Goans have to return to cultivating the fields again. The women commission is yet to condemn the incident of these goons, attacking the newly elected lady by trespassing at her parents’ house and creating a scene. Government machinery has been quick is arresting people by following the videos that go viral but this video has missed them.
It’s heartening to read that the Kerala State Commission of Child Protection Right has taken up the issue of Petrol pump coming up near a School in Thaikkattussery directing the authorities that no petrol pump can come up within 30/50mtrs radial distance as per the central pollution control board, but these corrupt officials are ready to do anything for money greed.
Such state commissions and concerned Directors should come forward and take these issues rather than remain silent as dumb spectators. What is good for the people should be fought tooth and nail following the rules of the land. As chairperson of the Village Child committee I brought to the notice of authorities including the collector North but the power of the people finally prevailed for sometime but you never know such projects make entry through the backdoor with political and money power. Public has to remain vigilant all the time.
Gregory E D’souza, Siolim
Preventing fraudulent e-transfers on phones
Net banking has become a convenient mode of making money transfers by using the mobile in today’s fast-paced world. It must be said that fraudulent e-transfer of money can be made from a stolen mobile if the Internet banking credentials are written on the phone’s note. Hence if one is into net banking and has lost the mobile or if it has been stolen, besides lodging a complaint with the police it is also necessary to inform the concerned bank. Alternatively one can approach the customer care of the telecom in order to deactivate the SIM which is in the stolen mobile and to get the new SIM issued immediately.
The bank can disable the Internet banking facility as well as debit card transactions temporarily and enable it later on, on request of the customer. One can also deregister the number which has been opted for net banking. Alternatively if one remembers the password, it can be changed to prevent any fraudulent transfer of money from one’s bank account.
It is pertinent to note that to successfully process a net banking payment four things are needed, namely user ID, Log in Password, Transaction Password and One Time Password (OTP).
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Aesthetics to boost psychological frame
The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted vulnerable people psychologically, thus leading to negative frame of mind, which can be treated by the medium of aesthetics. Thus it would be in the fitness of things that people who have been influenced negatively should draw positive vibes by adorning their residences with brightly coloured flowers and ornamental plants, as well as photographs and paintings as also indulging in artistic pursuits so as to give their minds a positive outlook that will bring them out of depression and elevate their state of minds so as to fill themselves with positive energies.
Remember, that a healthy mind supports and leads to a healthy body and thus a positive ambiance can cure your negative feelings. Do not allow negativity to impact you psychologically. Rise and shine.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
The Blue Economy, is it something new?
Hem Goem konnachem…. Goemkaranchem …as we sang this slogan outside the Pai hall, tears came to my eyes as I repeated Goemkaramchem. I realised where I was, standing on the streets of Margao supporting our union for cause of our River Sal.
We are on the brink of a decision making chapter in the history of our land where we have to decide on the ownership of our rivers. Is this river for Goans or the likes of the industrialist and the tourism holiday makers of the world?
This river is, as I always say, one of the most complicated rivers I have seen. Its diversity in giving fruits has all of us amazed. To put it in Konkani …amche kalvam kaddpi, amche tisreo kaddpi, amche kulleo dhorpi, amche kantarek vochon shevtte dhorpi, amche zallam dovrun sungtacheo bind dhorpi. Kitle axirvad amcher…the blessings are given to us by this river.
My only view is, will we ever miss this river if it goes for the modern day revolution?
They say lots of opportunities will come our way if we agree to this CRZP of the government. Sometimes I feel are we are on the brink of a total collapse. The Goa we dreamt of will be in the hands of the grassy gamblers who see only the blue economy of the big guys. What about the blue economy which was always in existence in Goa with our small fishermen and common folks living on their livelihoods?
Saude Cardozo, by email
