Modi moving to a Presidential style govt?
One cannot understand Modi’s reticence on the Manipur crisis. Neither has he been able to contain the problem nor will he discuss it in Parliament! This is a shame when the Head of the Executive branch of the government refuses to take action on such a serious matter and also does not take the House into confidence on a burning issue that has been going on for the last 2 months. The Manipur government is a BJP one, so what is the benefit of a double engine government when it cannot tackle such issues? Is the double engine government mechanism for fair weather times and not to resolve crises? The Karnataka loss had set the cat among the pigeons within the BJP and despite breaking up the NCP in Maharashtra to its advantage, the Opposition getting together under the INDIA banner has become more unnerving for Modi and the BJP. Thus predicting in the Nostradamus tradition for the near term, one can say that Modi after the ballooning discord in Manipur and some defeats in the upcoming State elections will declare an Emergency, attracting the charge that he is copying Indira Gandhi and thus the Congress party, so he may move a Constitutional amendment to usher in a Presidential system of government. Keep your fingers crossed. Anything can happen.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St. Cruz
Close schools due to heavy rains
The state has now crossed the 2,000 mm rainfall mark with surplus rain of 20.5%. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the state for more days, with a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds of around 40 to 50 kmph are likely during this period. It may be recalled that some time back the government had declared a one-day holiday for educational institutions in the state due to the rains. However the intensity of the monsoon has not subsided and school children have to go through immense trouble going to school and reaching back home. It is pertinent to note that due to the heavy rains several states in the country have declared the schools closed till such time that the situation improves. In lieu of the warning issued by the IMD for Goa, it would be prudent for the state government to order the educational institutions in the state to be closed till such time that the intensity of the rain subsides.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Fooling people in the name of UCC
Citizens of this country cannot be fooled by the BJP’s clamour for a Uniform Civil Code. The very idea of the implementation of UCC is to divide Muslims and Hindus again, rather than unite, and to consolidate the latter’s vote for the all-important 2024 general elections. There is still a democratic hesitancy that is visible due to an environment of trust-deficit created by the BJP, which is most visible through the minority communities’ anxiety in claiming their rights as citizens under this regime. Why was there no talk about the UCC in the last five years of the second Modi government, but suddenly resurfacing at a time when elections are just months away? The BJP’s manoeuvres on UCC are more of concern given its majoritarian character and the weaponization of the provision based on its prevailing monolithic ideology in contrast to a pluralistic and a deeply diverse nation that India is.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Need of the hour to save humans & animals
The continuous pouring of rains, have disrupted the normal lives.
The constant power outages have damaged the electric devices.
Cases have been reported about the electrocutions due to which human beings and animals have lost their lives. The authorities which are responsible for these untoward incidents should take the onus and precautionary measures to avoid such calamities.
Aureo Cunha Gomes, Mapusa
Kudos to Norma, Claude
Congratulations to the tigress of the Forum Norma Alvares for roaring in the High Court and winning the brief for the tigers. Kudos to Claude Alvares, Rajendra Kerkar, MLA Venzy Viegas and host of other activists. Our paper tiger minister, together with our doctor CM wants to soothe the Supreme Court with Tiger balm? At the cost of taxpayers money going down the Mhadei drain. Will they succeed or will the tiger land them in a soup.
Agnelo Furtado, Chinhinim
Close ties with the East
During his recent visit to Thailand, external affairs minister S Jaishankar lauded the ‘look West’ policy of that country while reiterating India’s ‘look East’ approach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East’ policy has further pointed to India’s interest and direction towards countries of the lower Mekong region that share the basins of rivers Ganga and Mekong. Though a small country for India’s scheme of things, it is heartening that Thailand is still relevant for the former. Both nations have robust security and defence ties, and nearly USD 18 billion annual trade between both the countries speaks volumes about the close bilateral cooperation. The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway promises to be a landmark.
Apart from the obvious advantages of trade relations between Myanmar and Thailand, border security is all set to receive a massive boost through the 1300 km long highway. During a flurry of foreign ministers’ conferences, Jaishankar also appears to have had a fruitful discussion with his Indonesian counterpart. New Delhi and Jakarta have a common shared maritime interest via trade and commerce. The two have a comprehensive strategic partnership in place from 2018 along with a joint naval exercise, the ‘Samudra Shakti’. Cyber security, too, is said to have figured in the India-Australia-Indonesia trilateral. Indo-Pacific region begs for a heightened awareness and security, and the Southeast Asian countries know that well.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Is age catching up with Djokovic?
Is age taking a toll on tennis icon Novak Djokovic? The 23-time Grand Slam champion, widely acclaimed as the GOAT, pulled out of the Toronto Masters, citing fatigue. The announcement comes a week after Djokovic lost to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon Wimbledon final. His withdrawal will rob the US Open tune-up tournament that begins on August 7th of its sheen.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Traffic discipline
It is reported that in Margao alone, in a period of three months from January 2023, 5200 driving licenses have been suspended! There are 808 violations of jumping traffic signals, 337 offences of using mobile phone whilst driving, 2,460 violations of driving without helmet. This is after all the propaganda and accidents widely publicized due its nonuse of helmets! This shows utter indiscipline and lack of traffic sense in our drivers. It is a wonder that there are not more accidents and precious lives lost due to this careless attitude. Is this part of our culture we keep boasting about? There is also road rage and VIP unruly behavior at toll booths. The nation isn’t really progressing, no matter what the GDP numbers may say we are uncivil in our daily lives! This clearly exhibits the society we are creating!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
