We get what we deserve
Non-stop rains have played havoc in Assam, almost 20 districts affected, 2 lakhs displaced, many villages are disconnected from the main cities and it is extremely difficult for the authorities to get the essentials to the affected people. But the entire media is busy speaking about the Mandir masjid or Hindu-Muslim issue, and it is we, who want it, (the TRPs have stated) and hence the media is giving us what we want. There is no discussion on the inflation, the rising prices of the LPG cylinders, diesel, petrol, unemployment, there are no questions asked to the ruling party. In fact the entire media should be discussing and debating the fall of the Indian rupee. The economists are speaking of a recession, but then we are enjoying the mandir-masjid issue and we are getting loads of it. Wonder, if we deserve this, as a popular saying goes, we get what we deserve.
Altaf Shah, Vasco
Government’s inefficiency
Our Goa Government has failed to control and prevent the easily preventable price rise of our daily commodities and necessities in Goa. Late Parrikar government and even Parsekar government have succeeded in preventing and controlling the price rise during their respective tenures. The present government has failed to do the same.
Pramod Sawant government has shown its inefficiency in each and every way of their administration. Last year we were told that by November 1 we will find not a single pothole in any of the Goan roads. Rape cases, murders, robberies, and even kidnapping cases are increasing in the State.
It is not that our efficient Police force cannot solve them, they are very efficient but there is lot of political interference. Our police should not bother about their transfers and sacking for no fault of theirs, they should go ahead and do their duties. Our senior citizens, housewives, widows, seafarers, ladli laxmis are still waiting for their money and our own government is celebrating oath taking ceremony by spending Rs 5.5 cr. Secondly the plan to give life time cabinet rank status at the cost of Rs1.15 crore to senior Rane and a new Raj Bhavan and still Chief minister and now other ministers also are saying ‘Bhivpachi Goroz Nam’.
Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, etc already reduced their vat besides the decrease in centre’s excise tax. Our government is waiting for the court to tell them like Covid case situation and Panchayat elections. We Goans are ourselves to be blamed.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Will we have laws of equal justice?
Last week the Supreme Court granted bail to Ms Indrani Mukerjea, allegedly the prime accused in the murder of her daughter. The reasons cited by the three learned judges are that the six and half years that she spent in jail is too long a term and that the trial will not be completed anytime soon. This is because only 68 of the 237 witnesses cited by the prosecution have been examined to-date. The lady had the wherewithal to fight for her cause by hiring a former Attorney-General for India. According to him the lady is entitled to special dispensation under Section 437 and also considering the above cited reasons he sought bail and the lady walked out free. Good for them.
The question is, will the SC please apply the same laws and logic and set free thousands of convicts who are rotting in jails across the country? In many cases even the witnesses might have died without being cross-examined. Hence, why keep the accused persons in jail for decades, sometimes even without an FIR? The SC could start with the release of women convicts. The freed persons will be indebted to the SC if given a new lease of life, for the crimes they supposedly committed/not committed and are proved/not proved. Let there be laws of natural justice for all Indians and not only for those who can afford to hire expensive lawyers.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Understanding the power of unity
This has reference to the report ‘Carmona farmers to form cluster groups to take forward community farming initiative’ (Herald, May 23, 2022). Interesting piece of news on a Monday morning. Carmona farmers forming cluster groups in order to resolve various issues is perhaps a step in the right direction. The Carmona farmers are showing the way and they need to be encouraged.
This small initiative of the farming community of Carmona should be emulated not just by farmers elsewhere but by others engaged in different occupations as well. They all need to understand the power of unity, the spirit of togetherness, that feeling of community welfare. You cannot stand and watch while your neighbour’s house is on fire. That fire will engulf you as well if you do not help in putting out the fire. No man can live as an island journeying through life alone, goes a hymn.
Cooperation among all communities, among all peoples is the way forward.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Focus on Monkeypox
In a few countries, Monkeypox is on the rise. As on May 21, Monkeypox has spread its tentacles in 12 countries. 92 people have been confirmed to have Monkeypox and 28 are suspected patients. The number may increase as comprehensive surveys are done in non-endemic countries. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Russia and Australia are the countries where the zoonotic viral disease has been identified.
Monkeypox has spread locally as well as infected those who did visit the African countries. India has not had Monkeypox patients till now but the authorities are leaving nothing to chance. As travel restrictions have been eased, more and more people are on a globetrotting spree. Some States have asked the health departments to keep an eye on those who develop symptoms of the disease and have visited any country, the last three weeks, that has reported monkeypox. Commonly, samples from the body lesions are sent for testing to rule out Monkeypox. If positive, contact tracing is done. Unexplained rashes over the body is the most pronounced feature of the viral disease. Fever, backache and headache are the other symptoms. These symptoms can be severe, and stretch to three or four weeks, but are generally not lethal. Unlike Covid–19, Monkeypox is hardly a dangerous condition, and there are vaccines available. Smallpox vaccines are reportedly effective in Monkeypox. Rodent–to– human and human–to–human transmission are the two common modes of contracting the pox. Spread agents are rodents like mice and squirrels. It is transmitted through lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and bleeding areas. At present, close physical contact with a person having symptomatic Monkeypox, is listed as a high risk factor for developing the disease. That gay and bisexual individuals are high on the infected list authenticates the health authorities belief that man to man transmission is the predominant mode of spread as of now.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Release funds of DSSS
The Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) beneficiaries are lately complaining as they have not received their dues for the past several months and this long delay reflects very negatively on the present BJP government.
Having said that, if the government has any concern for its people, it should immediately release these funds to the DSSS beneficiaries accounts as early as possible. Hope the concerned authorities are listening!
Augustus Alphonso, Vasco
