We need to revive
the reading habit
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This has reference to the article ‘Reviving the reading habit, one page at a time….’ (Herald 24 April 2023).
An enlightening write-up on the fast diminishing habit of reading, from Myola Joanes. There is absolutely no doubt that reading has become one of the biggest casualties due to the advancement of technology.
There was a time when we would love to visit a library, not just to read but to gain knowledge, information. We would make it a point to take membership so that we could take books home and read at leisure. Gone are those days, where have they gone?
It is heartening to note therefore, that the Joe Vaz Public Library at Benaulim, run by the Don Bosco Management priests, is striving to beat the decline in readership, offering a peaceful haven for studying, reading and engaging in craft activities.
I’m sure, like me, there may be many who must still have some novels, magazines and other reading material stacked up somewhere on the loft, unwilling to part with it; it’s heartbreaking.
A Book is a man’s best friend, and as Bibiana Boniface Dias rightly states, there is no friend as loyal as a book and there is a lot we learn from books. Yes, we need to revive the habit of reading, even if it is ‘just one page at a time’!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Clarion call for
Opposition unity
If Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar takes over as the convenor for unification of the opposition parties and if all the opposition parties manage to sink their differences, there is no reason why the opposition cannot surely emerge victorious in 2024.
The senior most leaders of opposition parties in India should fully support the formation of a national coalition of parties and work together with unflinching zeal and towards a mission to provide India the much needed alternative to the BJP, taking into consideration that the collective leadership of opposition parties with the support for one another can form a superlative government to lead India into a golden era. As far as one aspect that gives cause for optimism is concerned, it is to be stressed that the Congress though having won only 52 seats in 2019, had still 119 million voters in its favour and with the strong support, and thus with a much higher strike rate, the equation can be certainly in favour of a big win for an all encompassing coalition of opposition parties.
Mutual support and campaigning should be started in right earnest as soon as possible. An united opposition will be a formidable force and the cream of political wisdom who can show their prowess at the highest levels and definitely succeed.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Probe Sancoale
incident thoroughly
In a shocking incident alert citizens from Sancoale reportedly caught a water supply tanker while allegedly transporting sewage. The incident sent shock waves across the area after residents alleged that the water tanker had been supplying water to many residential areas in the locality.
It is understood that a septic tanker was pumping sewage in the water tanker. This is absolutely unacceptable as those involved are playing with the lives of the citizens from the area to whom water is supplied by the water tanker.
The villagers have not ruled out the possibility of many more water tankers being involved in such malpractices. Sewage itself is a complex mixture and can contain many types of contaminants. The greatest threats posed arise from contamination by bacteria, nitrates, metals and trace quantities of toxic materials. Drinking water polluted by sewage can cause disease from the ingestion of microorganisms such as E Coli, Hepatitis A virus and Helminth. Sewage and wastewater contain bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that can cause intestinal, lung, and other infections. Bacteria may cause diarrhea, fever, cramps, and sometimes vomiting, headache, weakness, or loss of appetite. Even contact with contaminated water can cause leptospirosis and skin problems including respiratory system problems and altered pulmonary functions. The police need to carry out thorough investigation in the case, book the culprits and take strict action. Such incidents should not take place in future.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
New challenge for
security personnel
This refers to the editorial “Pak wants to disrupt G20 summit in Kashmir” (Apr 23), the terror attack on an army truck in Poonch highlights the continuing vulnerability of this border area in spite of top security. The attack comes at a time when J&K is working diligently to host a G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting next month. The attack raises questions about the management of patrols in sensitive locations in the region which has seen a spike in terrorist attacks in the recent past.
Recent claim by former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik on Pulwama have brought to fore fresh questions about the intent behind the political class while handling terrorism issues in the country. Since we hear cases of infiltration and killing in some part of J&K by Pakistani militants, the Union Home Ministry’s claim of drop in militancy since abrogation of Article 370 has to be taken in lighter vein.
As Srinagar gets ready to host a working group meeting of G20 tourism delegates in the last week of May, it will be a big challenge to thwart any attempt to derail the event.
Gregory Fernandes,
Marcel
Wake up call for the Central government
The recent terror attack where our five soldiers were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir is a wake up call for the government of India as we have lost many of our soldiers instead of fighting war but our soldiers laid their lives due to terrorists attacks which could been avoided by intelligence inputs.
A chilling reminder of growing terror networks the need of the hour is political and popular consensus to combat such terror ghastly acts. But is it possible when there are political leaders who speak terror language?
As soon as there are terror attacks, the men in uniform are put on red alert by posting lathi wielding police at some vulnerable places this continues for a week or so, after that we come to square one.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
