Hiding the head in the sand
According to the press reports, government will not impose any specific restrictions on tourists and visitors to Goa, for the seasonal and year end celebrations.
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Is this not like the ostrich hiding its head in the sand in times of risk and danger? At the time when UK has imposed strict lockdown on its population, in spite of Christmas, when the whole of Europe has discontinued flights in an out of UK, when India has banned flights from UK when most of the neighbouring States of Goa have applied restrictions on travel and curfew for certain hours of the day, is it not lack of prudence for the Government of Goa to hide its head in the sand like an ostrich, and throw open the gates of Goa to all those who would like to come and make merry without any restrictions, and following SOPs.
Does this not endangering the permanent population of Goa? The press has time and again highlighted the scenes of hordes of tourists thronging the beaches and restaurants, not wearing masks, not maintaining social distance, and totally flouting SOPs. Is not talk of not imposing any restrictions, while imposing SOP a sham and making fools of the people of Goa? The new variant strain of the Covid-19 virus is causing great concern all around the world and is it not completely foolish for the administrators of Goa to completely ignore all the dangers and throw open the gates of Goa with doubt applying strict conditions and restrictions? Please, should not the safety of the people of Goa be the priority and placed above pandering and pampering a handful of vested interests?
Rosario Menezes,
Vasco da Gama
Sustainable mining is the way forward
Continued ban on mining activities has adversely impacted the livelihoods of @ 300, 000 people (20% of Goa’s population) who are directly or indirectly dependent on it, the post mining ban phase has seen a steep decline in monthly expenditure and savings of dependents.
Mining has been one of the pillars of the Goan economy and at it’s peak in 2010 contributed @ 17% to the state’s GDP with iron ore being mainly exported to China, Japan, Europe and the Middle East. People dependent on mining have huge unserviced financial liabilities of which truck loans amounted to 31% , housing loan, 9%, personal loans 13% and 46% consisting of marriage, education, shops and gold loans.
A survey conducted by IIT Dhanbad has indicated that less than 10% of the impacted have switched to alternate sources of livelihoods, also there is an acute reluctance to displacement. Halt in mining activities has exacerbated the precarious financial condition of the state and the long drawn out Covid pandemic which is showing no signs of abating has dealt a double whammy to the populace.99% of the survey participants wished for early resumption of mining.
The Supreme court had quashed 88 mining leases in 2018 owing to widespread illegalities in the grant of licences and environmental concerns amplified by pressure groups.Loss of mining activities has also had a trickle down effect on agricultural, transportation and other allied industries. In the larger interest of the people and for the greater good, mining should be urgently resumed in a sustainable fashion with enough environmental safeguards and more scientific methods of stockpiling/ transportation of ore.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Digital lending apps
Several states across the country have reported suicides among those who had failed to repay loans availed digitally, through a mobile application. The deaths reported were allegedly due to harsh loan recovery methods employed by these platforms.
In many cases, the instant loan apps indulge in online harassment in the form of threatening calls and messages to the person’s friends and family. These apps are involved in data breaching and using our own data to threaten us.
The app gains full access to your phone when installed. These apps are involved in data breaching and using our own data to threaten. These apps often exploit the defaulters legal and digital illiteracy. The defaultersare led to other digital lending apps by these apps. Their self respect is destroyed by these online lending apps.
Some are Chinese apps and are illegal, not even run by companies. Even the lower rung police officers don’t look at how the harassment is being enabled through a data breach. Not all digital money lenders on Google Play Store are NBFCs, that have ties to banks that are regulated by the RBI. Report says that there are over 60 apps on the Play Store alone.
The Central government and the RBI should pay more attention to the rising instances of suicide among digital loan defaulters.
K.G.Vilop, Chodan
Murder of democracy
It is shocking to see the detention of the youth of Goa and whisking away in the police van on Liberation Day by the police when they were peacefully sitting and protesting at the church square against the Mollem project which is environmentally destroying project. They were not obstructing any road or shouting or disturbing anybody. The citizens have every right to protest. It is our constitutional right to protest peacefully even the Supreme Court says that.
The youth were not disturbing any official function nor were they blocking the President’s route. We know that Members of Legislative Assembly are to make laws and Police, Mamlatdars and Collectors duty is to follow the law. But what is surprising is that the law makers are breaking the law and the followers are obstructing the law.
It is a murder of democracy and not a healthy democracy but dictatorship. Now it is time for all Goans to unite as one and to fight for our right and to say enough is enough.
Cyril Leitao, Chinchinim
A differentChristmas
This year Christmas will be something very exciting for some; on the other it may be a less joyful Christmas due to the current situation and the lives which have gone to heaven.
The meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ and the main commandment given to each one of us in all different religions is love and love doesn’t mean that your dear and near ones have to be with you ,they can always be in our hearts.
This Christmas let’s do something maybe big or small but an act of kindness is always considered big so it doesn’t matter; something that will cheer up the less fortunate and bring a smile on their face. We may not be able to celebrate the Eucharist in church but at our own pace we can definitely celebrate in our homes.
Therefore I wish each and everyone a joyful Merry Christmas that will shower mighty blessings in the years to come and keep us all empowered and courageous beings to fight all challenges that come our way.
Kryselle Barretto , Dubai
Determination of Save Mollem Youth
I admire the courage and determination of the Save Mollem Youth and other young activists who are travelling the length and breath of Goa to fight and protect of the little that is left of our state.
Today’s youth will be the leaders of tomorrow. The heartless politicians think that they can use strong arm tactics like is being done to the farmers in Delhi to discourage the youth. But I forsee a very big agitation which can even topple the present Government and bring in fresh minds and new energy to bring in change and protect our mankulem Goyem.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
