Zero is a beautiful number
For the first time since the Covid pandemic commenced two years ago, Goa reported zero new infections on Monday, in addition to zero fatalities and zero hospitalisations; at present we have only 54 active cases. For more than a week Goa has witnessed less than 10 infections per day since the third wave ended. The almost 100% blanket vaccine coverage certainly has a part to play in this, also it is conjectured that some form of herd immunity has set in, courtesy the devastating second wave.
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There is a fourth wave raging across western nations and India would not remain untouched by it, experts using mathematical models and data interpolation are predicting that it will hit us by June /July, but the impact would be mitigated if we continue to observe basic safety protocols.
Zero is a number which looks awful on exam mark sheets and in bank balances but it sure is a most welcome number on Covid statistics lists.
May zero continue to rule the Covid charts, now and in the future. All hail, king zero.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Good governance & delivery of services
Good governance does not mean only delivery of services but also being tuned in to the needs people. The delivery of good governance depends on a fine co-ordination between the legislative and executive branches of government and an understanding of the aspirations of the people. It’s a part of the democratic process for any party to win election and come to power or lose the mandate and sit in the opposition.
The parties, which believe in democracy, give momentum to the economic growth by safeguarding the interests of the common people, provide fillip to federal set-up of the democracy and that of the unity of the country, when they come to power. The fact is life has been made pitiable for the common people. Great leaders have an abiding quality that they leave lasting memories at social and individual level apart from their vast political legacy.
K GVilop, Chorao
A honest confession by Azad?
Reportedly, Ghulam Nabi Azad stated that, “Political parties create division (among people) 24×7 on the basis of religion, caste and other things. I’m not forgiving any party, including mine (Congress). Civil society should stay together. Justice must be given to everyone irrespective of caste, religion.” Azad, the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha and a recent awardee of the Padma Bhushan allegedly made the statement in the backdrop of the controversial movie “The Kashmir Files.” What he said is nothing new nor unknown to the people at large but coming from a senior political leader it is shocking. But he had the gumption to say openly as to how political parties work in India.
Yes, the ‘civil society’ i.e., we the citizens need to be alert and keep at bay political parties that try to play one community, caste, etc against the other. While the dirty games are on the citizens end up sacrificing their livelihood and even their lives for unseen, unknown and unheard politicians who will be busy making merry.
Thanks to the politicians who create infightings amongst us, we remain stagnant without much progress in several sectors such as health, education and jobs. As long as we are ghulam (slaves) to scheming politicians, we can never be azad (free). Mera Bharat Mahaan.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Time to rehabilitate Ukrainian refugees
Now that everything has been razed to the ground in Ukraine through the mindless Russian attacks in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the right time has just come now to rehabilitate all those Ukrainians who have migrated to neighbouring countries as refugees. First off, news reports have confirmed the migration of millions of people out there.
More than war and conflicts, the pain of migrating to foreign soil cannot be explained in words. On the international front, we have so many instances like the Rohingya refugees’ migration, Mexico border problems and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to name a few. Even things like relocation (happening everywhere in the world personally and professionally) will be a tough path for humans. In my native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Marthandam and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, people have usually been relocating and migrating to various parts of India, not to mention foreign countries, for their families and profession.
Likewise one can understand the poor plight of the people of Ukraine. Despite a helping hand from various neighbouring European nations, it is still a long road up ahead involving all the practical complexities over there. For this, the UN, tech giants like Google and Yahoo, and the international media houses must come forward to highlight their concerns/plight (especially children) through proper means and channels.
First up, food, medical and financial assistance should be sent to them by the agents like the UN. To top it all, sending those refugees back home to their country once the war is over should be the first priority. After all, being on foreign soil is not only difficult but will also pose serious challenges.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai
Controversies on The Kashmir Files
The manner in which the film, “The Kashmir Files” containing many controversial features, particularly painting the Muslim community as responsible for the travails of the Kashmiri Pandits, their exodus and failure for the right rehabilitation of the survivors instead of projecting it as the acts of the terrorists has been appreciated and promoted by the ruling dispensation at the centre and more importantly, the Prime Minister himself recommending the film to be viewed by all exposes the real intent of the film makers and those who are behind its production.
One would not have forgotten the most inhuman carnage let loose on the Muslims and their families, the manner in which the Muslim women were raped in front of their family members and killed in the riots post the Godhra Train incident.
My question is if some director with conscience comes forward to picturise the atrocities committed by the saffron goons during the Gujarat pogrom and release the film with the title, “Gujarat Files”, will the government extend its support to the film by giving tax exemptions, granting leave to government staff to watch the film as done in the case of the film, The Kashmir Files”?
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Did Modi Govt made a mistake?
The Supreme Court panel has made a big claim regarding the three agricultural laws of the Central Government which government repealed later on the Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary.
The panel’s report said that 86% of farmer organisations were happy with the government’s agricultural legislation. These farmers’ organisations were representing about 3 crore farmers. According to the 2015-16 Agriculture Census, there are a total of 14.5 crore farmers in the country.
This big question here is did Modi Govt abrogated farm laws just for some votes. Did you ditch the long-term solution for short-term gain? Government should answer this.
Khushi Rathore, by email
