Attracting high-end tourists
The Goa Govt is currently having Global Exhibitions in Europe and other First World Countries to promote in their words “High End Tourism”. I am not sure if the Goa Govt is using a sense of humour or are they really serious about the same!
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Are the ministers/officials concerned blind to the fact how other countries e.g. in Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Israel, etc, are first taking great care of their country and then promoting it for High End tourism ? To attract such tourists, do we not need High End/Quality Infrastructure, cleanliness, clean beaches, freedom from filth/garbage/illegal slums/cattle on the roads etc?
Coming to roads, let me just take the example of my village Colva which is supposed to have one of the most scenic/white sand beaches in Goa and is top destination in the State. Can these ministers/officials take a road trip to Colva and see how horribly the roads are, with so many potholes……and then finish their visit at Colva beach to witness the filth for themselves? Are these types of things a magnet for attracting High End Tourism? OR is the real reason, the Ministers/Tourism officials’ fascination to enjoy foreign trips at over stretched taxpayers’ cost?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Bilkis Bano rape case
The government of Gujarat has granted remission to 11 people convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and murdering seven of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots. What a shame it is not only for India but for the whole world. The release of those convicted in the Bilkis Bano rape case is disheartening.
The crimes committed in the wake of the 2002 Gujarat riots shocked not only India but the whole world. Those guilty of such heinous crime should not have been released before time. One wonders if the assembly elections in Gujarat scheduled for this year played a part in the decision-making process.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Cyberbullying in schools
This has reference to the report ‘Introduce awareness prog on cyberbullying in schools.’ (Herald August 24, 2022). The increasing cyber crimes in the country is genuinely cause for worry. Cyberbullies seem to be having a field day, for it is not just the uneducated or illiterate who are falling prey to their tactics but even seemingly educated, literate, professionals are becoming victims.
And now on account of Covid, young children have been exposed to the wide world of the Internet. It is frightening to know how the Internet can impact children at such a tender age. It is therefore good to know that a group of concerned parents have appealed to the schools to initiate an awareness programme on cyberbullying and the risks that young students can be exposed to on the Internet.
Technology is good for progress but we need to guard again the negative side as well. Needless to say, the war again cyber bullying must be intensified. In the meanwhile, appropriate guidelines must be adhered to while using the Internet.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Congratulations
to Roseferns
Congratulations Roseferns, for celebrating 100 production of tiatrs on Konkani stage and specially of all alphabets A to Z titles.
Yes, I salute you, as a king of centuries and as a king of parables. I am your fan, from 1980 (Tapott) till now 2022 (Amche Modem Jiyeta). Please continue as a writer/director, and show us better tiatrs in your future.
Edgar Martins, Chinchinim
Shun politics in
panchayats
In a sudden political turn of events over control of the key Mandrem panchayat it is learnt that the sarpanch faces a no-trust motion barely 24 hours after getting elected. The move is seen as power play by politicians in order to gain control of the panchayat. It is a fact that many politicians, both in power and those out of power have floated their own panels in the run-up to the panchayat elections and many of these panels have been victorious. That should not infer that the particular panchayat should function under the influence of a particular politician. Though panchayat elections are not held on party lines, it is an open secret that the local MLAs and politicians, who play a major role in the polls, do not conceal their attempts to gain control of the panchayats.
Independence must begin at the grassroots. Thus, every village panchayat should have full powers. It follows, therefore, that every village has to be self-sustained and capable of managing its affairs. Village panchayats need to be free of all political interference so that the grassroots bodies have only the concerns of the village in mind and work to bring a positive change in their jurisdictions. They know what is best for the village, so let them work for it without any outside political interference. It would be desirable for elected panchayat members to work together as an independent group without any party affiliations.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Releasing convicts triggers outrage
The Supreme Court agreeing to consider listing a plea challenging the grant of remission by the Gujarat government to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case is reassuring. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana told advocate Aparna Bhat and senior advocate Kapil Sibal to file the case records. The move to release the prisoners undergoing life sentences for killing 14 people and assaulting a pregnant woman had triggered national outrage.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Road safety, a major setback
The dismal state of India’s killer roads along stretches of highways and most of the interiors is well known. The numbers tell it all more than one lakh lives were lost to road accidents last year.
About three lakh people were deformed due to road accidents in the same period. Roughly, four hundred people succumb to road accidents in a day in India.
More than one thousand road accidents happen on an average per day in the country. Two wheelers account for 25% of road mishap casualties. Suffice to say, India has consistently “maintained” its number one ranking globally in road accidents.
Sadly, seventy per cent of road deaths belong to the working age group of 18-45, and the loss of a creative member is not only a big blow to the family but it is also a major setback for the society.
Corruption has been the biggest roadblock towards safe and secure travel. Wilful disrespect towards rule books, while awarding contracts, has been a big bane dragging dangerously on from time immemorial.
Sub–standard roads are, however, only one among a host of factors contributing to casualties on roads. The standard of drivers themselves leaves a lot to be desired; it is a direct offshoot of shoddy ways of granting and restoration of licences.
A regular review of a driver’s capabilities, most important aspect to prevent accidents, should be carried out. Similarly, periodic tests on old vehicles have to be conducted. The government has done well by bringing more and more lengths of the national highways under the safety audit but more needs to be done.
In a two-wheeler accident, head followed by chest and abdomen are prone to be severely damaged. That is why, the importance of seat belts in occupants of a car, too, cannot be overstated.
Drivers should know there is much more to safety than mere comfort. Then, of course, there is the issue of drunken driving that should propel the government to ponder on ways and means to limit roadside availability of liquor.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
