Implement SC verdict on PAN-Aadhaar linking
The government is arbitrarily forcing the citizens of India to link the Permanent Account Number (PAN) to the Aadhaar Card. The Supreme Court has clearly passed a verdict that only those who are applying for social welfare schemes should link their Aadhaar. The government has also arbitrarily coerced citizens to link PAN and Aadhaar for those who file income tax returns.
The Supreme Court should rap the government for non-compliance to its verdict. Also it may be stressed that the Supreme Court has clearly stated that for opening and maintaining bank accounts, Aadhaar card linking is not mandatory. Why is it then that the banks are not de-linking the Aadhaar Card of account holders as per the Supreme Court verdict? The Aadhaar Card has sensitive bio-metrics such as the finger prints and the iris scan which are personal attributes of an individual which are not meant for linking and sharing. Also banks are supposed to work up a profit on the deposits of account holders and it is the duty of all banks to work up profitability and they are not rendering help to account holders, who on the contrary are getting now at the moment a pittance of interest rate.
It is also the managements of banks who are supposed to control high NPAs by judicious lending.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Beating the student stress
The results of Standard XII will be out soon and the anxiety of the students as well as of their parents is understandable.
However, what is matter of concern is the stress that builds up owing to this anxiety. A recent survey shows that anxiety is the root cause of depression and it is we parents who build up this drama over the academic results as if it is a matter of life and death for the child. And God forbid, if they score below expectations, the dreaded aftermath is unimaginable.
Have we not heard time and again that marks are just numbers and it has nothing to do with the capability of the student? Then, why do we forget this simple fact when it actually comes to facing it practically.
As parents, we seriously need to practise these exercises before the results come in: 1) Keep telling our child over and over again that whatever be the results, we love you a lot. 2) Make a conscious effort to reduce the screen time of our kids on social media with their friends who are mostly discussing the results and adding to the nervousness and anxiety. 3) Driving this thought into the kids mind that academics is just a part of their growing up exercise, being a better human being is more important. 4) Do not set targets for results that it will lead to disappointments and heart-breaks if not met. 5) It is noticed that the children do not like to exhibit their marks showcasing their low self-esteem, tell your children that efforts are more important than the end result. Be proud of your grades, whatever they be. 6) Don’t compare your child to other children as it has a negative impact on the child’s mental health and lastly 7) Prayers have a soothing effect on the minds. Make time to pray together with your child. Remember the family that prays together stays together. The list can go on and on, but let us make sure that quality time with children now is very very crucial.
Altaf Shah, Vasco
Gradual reopening of churches
The Archbishop of Goa has issued a circular permitting ‘gradual reopening’ of churches. However, he has exhorted the parishes to exercise utmost caution before taking any decision. The Archbishop has laid down several conditions like extensive sanitisation, use of infrared thermometers, and strict adherence to state Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidelines issued by church. Permission will only be granted after an inspection by a duly constituted archdiocesan committee.
Personally, I believe that while churches may reopen, it must be only for private prayer, initially. I am convinced that if the Holy mass is celebrated, the church authorities will not be able to maintain social distancing. Our parishes in Goa have large and devout members. Moreover, it will be virtually impossible to keep out the 65+ yrs senior citizens as they are the most devout. Hence, for the time being, churches may reopen only for private prayer. If this exercise is successful, the chapel may then be moved to the church, not physically but spiritually. I mean that the Blessed Sacrament may be exposed in the church.
I am not in favour of the chapel being opened, as the area is small and contained. It will be very difficult to control the spread of infection if an infected person unknowingly enters the chapel. Only thereafter, should regular services commence.
Robert Castellino, Calangute/ Mumbai
Birthright!
The singular most characteristic of Indians is their belief that ‘everything is his birth right’! He may be a Johnny come lately having contributed absolutely nothing to the same but he will claim it. With rising cases, villagers are going into lockdown out of fear. Loss of income is secondary as it must be. In such a scenario we see TTAG calling for tourism restart! With their claim of 40% GDP i.e. Rs 30000 cr. it is unacceptable that the profiteers and their workers cannot sustain even 3 months of closure! This is total mismanagement and calls for replacement of such unorganised tourism business. Even our sales attendants in shops earning a paltry Rs 7000 pm did not whimper in the lockdown! TTAG has no value addition to the business. With 80 L tourists all they do is provide bed and breakfast.
The beaches, festivals, sleepless nights due to loud music even the marketing like fairs is robbed from the locals and the Govt. It appears here too they believe all this is their birth right! No responsibility. Other attractions like prostitution, drugs which increase footfalls are welcomed and condoned by them. Mind you, they want to follow SOP’s that are ‘practical’? Should not SOP be to stop the spread of the virus at any cost? Why do they not come out with their SOP’s? We need a closer look at their souls. They are quite sure they can get the Government to come up with practical SOP’s that look good on paper.
Question: If a tourist comes with a disposable mask, what is the SOP they will follow? We never stop seeing broken glass bottles on beaches and hotel garbage disposed off in neighbouring villages, so now we will see masks too? What is their solution?
Other countries follow sustainable tourism. Tourists are told to carry back their plastic. Not so Goa. Not practical, right? We need to sanitise the Tourism Industry in Goa first.
R Fernandes, Margao
Problems of online classes
As technology is upgrading day by day our learning has also been upgraded, but as we are going through Covid-19 pandemic in Goa all the schools and colleges have started online classes, but many students face problems like there is no proper schedule being maintained which leads strain in the eyes of the students. And also which lowers the concentration capacity of the student which makes their minds dull and stressful that also leads to anxiety.
And lastly, the main problem the recharge plans they are very costly and most of the parents can’t afford the recharge plans which makes it difficult in attending the online classes.
Asvita Fernandes,
Quepem
