PM’s speech full of exaggerations
This refers to the news report “Modi sets the tone for 2024 polls” (O Heraldo August 16). On Independence day, the nation takes stock of its course since it gained freedom from the British and started shaping its own destiny. Such occasions also give an opportunity to imagine the future and to commit ourselves to it. In that context, PM Modi’s 10th consecutive Independence Day speech which lasted for nearly 90 minutes was inspiring and optimistic at one level. However, it was also more self-congratulatory as the PM referred to himself in the third person and owning responsibility for the country’s progress.
True, the PM has a lot to take credit for. But to hint that real freedom came only in 2014 after he became PM is to ignore the top leaders of the post-independence period. It was a speech of exaggerations, evasions and high-pitched rhetoric. Manipur cannot be claimed to be at peace; the communal fire in Haryana cannot be ignored, nor the official sanction that causes hate in speech and distress in large parts of the country. His claims of a serious crusade against corruption and appeasement were less impressive as voters are aware by the selective approach of the central investigative agencies that target only Opposition politicians until the point that they align with the BJP.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Decentralize waste treatment
Disposing garbage, especially the wet waste has been a gargantuan problem for various towns in the state. The Minister for Environment and PWD Nilesh Cabral reportedly said that any kind of waste from Salcete including Margao will not be accepted or treated at the Cacora waste treatment plant. At present villages of Salcete and Margao have a wet waste disposal problem.
Presently the waste of Salcete is transported to the Saligao treatment plant as a temporary arrangement. However Saligaocars are objecting to it claiming that the watery waste is drains on the roads creating a mess. Saligao could become the next Sonsoddo of Goa. Residents cited the foul smell from the garbage and groundwater pollution as reasons for their objection. Why should the locals be made to suffer as a result of garbage from other towns being brought to the Saligao Waste Treatment plant? Each city and the surrounding should have provisions to treat its own waste as decentralized waste management is the need of the hour
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Put restrictions on pay hike by MLAs
Pay and pension revision of government employees takes place ever 10 years after Pay Commission recommendations. Similar is case of employees of banks and insurance companies. In no sector, do the employees or recipients revise their own salaries and perks. But MLAs revise their own salaries, perks and pension, that too every 5 years.
Further, no educational qualification are prescribed for the politicians to hold office as a minister. There is also no age limit, physical fitness for entry and retirement, which is why an undergraduate can become an education minister and an old politician on a wheelchair can become a chief minister of a State. Furthermore, for a peon’s job in government service, the character and antecedents of the candidate are verified especially with regard to any criminal offence. But no such requirement is prescribed for politicians.
The whole system needs to undergo a change. To begin with there should be some restriction on them when they effect a pay hike. Secondly there should be time bar for hiking salaries, perks and pension since these are paid from public funds.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Bold statement by the Chief Justice
The Chief Justice of India made a bold statement at the Bar Association stating that the real strength of the judiciary lies in it’s accessibility to the common man. Those facing arbitrary arrest, threats of getting their houses demolished, unlawful attachment of their properties etc. must find relief in the legal system. Perhaps this new concept of ‘bulldozer justice’ resorted to by BJP states without following the letter and spirit of the law must be heavily weighing on his mind.
The Chief Justice stressed that courts should provide a safe democratic space for individuals to seek protection of their lives and liberty. Hopefully his words will reach the ears of the ruling dispensation which has undermined and trashed every constitutional institution since it assumed office.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Pathak revolutionized public toilet culture
The demise of Bindeshwar Pathak has drawn the curtains on a visionary and a social reformer. In 1970, Pathak founded Sulabh International, which worked towards promoting sanitation and hygiene. He came to be known as the ‘Toilet Man of India’ long before the Swachh Bharat Mission. His initiative helped reduce open defecation and manual scavenging. The government of India decorated him with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2016. Millions of Indians will be grateful to Pathak for ushering in the public toilet revolution.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Respect our National Flag
Our national flag is a symbol of the nation’s pride and respect. There is liberal use of the flag on Independence Day and Republic Day. There is a new trend of selling flags made of paper and plastic, which is incorrect. With a sense of national pride, people enthusiastically buy such flags but the very next day, we find them being trampled upon on roads and thrown into dustbins. By allowing this to happen, people forget that they are insulting the flag.
Often, these flags are burnt along with the garbage. It is the duty of every individual to maintain proper respect towards the national flag. We also commonly see people waving the national flag proudly during national, cultural and sporting events. However, once the programme or the event gets over, we see the flags strewn all over the place. This disrespect towards our flag must be stopped.
Even when the national anthem is played on radio or on television, people don’t stand still and sing along. They are busy cooking in the kitchen or are busy talking on their mobile phones. As Indians, we should respect our country’s national flag, national anthem and national song.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Let’s walk together for Bharat Jodo
Our forefathers fought against the colonial rule and won Independence in 1947 and adopted a secular government with a secular Constitution considering the diversity of our country. They ensured every citizen the right to live in freedom and peace to enjoy their privileges. Since then our country was marching ahead with progress and prosperity in education, infrastructure, economy, defence capabilities, etc. But not anymore with the present fascist minded government in power. Today, we see violence everywhere, degrading and humiliating of people, brutally harassing women sexually and assaulting them, dividing people on religious lines, spreading hatred, cheating and spreading lies to bully the poor and uneducated people. The time has come for us to say ‘enough is enough, it’s now or never’ and stand for secular India and unite the country against the present day atrocities. Let us stand with humanity, walk together for Bharat Jodo.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
