Remembering Goa’s freedom fighters
As our little State of Goa celebrates 60 years of Liberation and keeping in mind the ongoing delayed pandemic, let us remember our own Goans who worked tirelessly for this Liberation, for years before the actual 1961. Today most of the so-called true Goans don’t know them. One prominent figure is Dr Miguel Caetano Dias, whose bust is placed opposite the Head Post Office.
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In the year 1897, the Portuguese Government had recommended to shut the Escola Médica, today´s Goa Medical College. It was due to the hard efforts of Dr Dias that this institution remained functioning. Dr Dias strongly advocated vaccines for various plagues and pandemics during those days. Commemorating 60 years of Liberation, and as a mark of respect and tribute to this son of the soil who fought for a Medical College in Goa, I feel the best, the Goa Government can do is to celebrate this occasion (60 years of Liberation) on this birth anniversary, July 9, by conducting a massive Covid Vaccination drive in the whole state of Goa and being prepared for the so called third wave.
Allen Noronha, by email
Hail the warriors in white coats
A loud hurrah to the warriors in white coats on administering a record 85 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines on Monday, as the Centre began providing free vaccines to all above 18 years as part of the liberalised immunisation drive. The vaccination figure is nearly double that of the earlier highest single-day count of 43 lakh recorded on April 5.
Monday’s vaccinations were equal to the population of Israel and double of New Zealand. The Covid case count also fell below 50,000 for the first time in three months.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
The power of Community
One heartening thing to have emerged out of Covid is that thousands, irrespective of their financial or social status have reached out to lend a helping hand to the affected, be it setting up of quarantine and testing centres, providing free transportation and food not only for patients but also to their families.
One such group of good Samaritans has begun a ‘Life after Covid’ campaign to provide succour to those who recovered and guide them in taking charge of their lives again after the ravages of the disease. A seminar was recently conducted wherein prominent healthcare professionals stressed upon the importance of regular physical exercise, mental health, sleep, meditation, holistic wellness practices, balanced diet and resumption of social activities. This is an exemplary effort by civil society members to identify, address and alleviate post Covid issues and complications especially those related to psychological matters and reintegration of the individual back into society and the workplace.
Attendees are also disseminated information regarding the importance of getting vaccinated and to continue maintaining Covid appropriate behaviour post recovery.
Also people are urged to rely only on authentic sources of information relating to Covid and not pay heed to WhatsApp forwards or rumours circulating on social media platforms scarred by the rigors of battling the virus and consequent near death e.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Achievement by GIM, a proud moment
It is indeed a proud moment for Goa Institute of Management (GIM) Sakhali and Goans in general as a United Nation (UN) wing recently rated it among the four ‘best in the world’ for imbibing sustainable concepts in students. At the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN-PRIME) held virtually from New York, GIM was reportedly recognised for its “Social Impact and Sustainability Achievements”.
Only four of the 46 business schools from 21 countries that participated in the ‘Positive Impact Ranking’ report achieved the top ranking. It is learnt that this is the first time that GIM participated and that 151 students from GIM responded to the survey.
It is indeed a great achievement by the students of one of the finest management institutes in the country. It will be a huge shot in the arm for GIM. Makes every Goan proud.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Why have electric buses stopped?
The electric buses introduced by the State government for the KTC fleet seems to be kept in hibernation these buses were seen for the morning trips at 7am onwards but off late there seems to be off the road for reasons best known to the director of KTC. A recent report in the local newspaper KTC is currently running at a loss of Rs 2 lakhs per day and it is not viable to operate the buses. When was KTC making profit?
The reason offered was that due to remote area operation the buses usually were not full to the capacity while the private owner bus operators were doing profit during pre COVID situations. To check the efficiency and durability of these new buses, rainy season is the best season to ply these buses on Goan roads. The initial high cost of the electric bus will KTC ever make a profit or will the same be outsourced to a private agency for better and efficient management?
Gregory E D’Souza, Siolim
Middle Class suffer the most
The middle class has suffered most during the pandemic. During the pandemic almost everyone has suffered, except perhaps the rich, who have generally become richer. I believe that the middle class has suffered the most, even more than the poor who can survive on free rations, govt doles, charity and doing odd jobs.
The middle class, on the other hand cannot do odd jobs neither are they eligible for doles or direct bank transfers (DBT). Yet they have to maintain a certain minimum standard of living. They have to pay their electric bill, TV and mobile bills, high medical bills school and college fees, house rent or housing society maintenance bills and a host of other bills. And then they have to pay tax. But most of all they have to spend on food.
Many people are already deep in debts, having exhausted all their savings sold their jewelry and taken loans from friends. A third wave of the pandemic will destroy them completely.
Robert Castellino, Calangute
Make vaccination drive must to enter State
Goa government must not unlock boundaries of the State for those who are entering Goa without administering anti Corona vaccines henceforth. Vaccination certificate must be made compulsory for non Goans along with tourists who will be visiting Goa till Corona take escape failing which it will compel to say “Corona Returns “!
For labour class, Goa is Gulf in earning point of view. And therefore most of the labourers are attracted towards Goa state from all over India. Goans are paying minimum daily wage of Rs 700 per day for labour class.
After unlocking Goa, nearly two lakhs non Goans will enter Goa for their livelihood. But Goa government needs to be cautious about those people. Special SOPs are required to enforce before unlocking Goa. Vaccination certificate be made compulsory at any cost.
One Corona case can ignite virus in the state. Of course, Goa State by the time could cover 100% vaccination. Nevertheless, we can’t allow “free” Corona in the State via non Goans and tourism.
So, prevention is better than care. Let Goans prepare antibodies successfully to eradicate Corona completely.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
