Stay alive, avoid driving when drunk
Statistics released by the Directorate of Transport reveal that @5000 vehicular accidents take place annually in Goa in which @4500 persons are injured and @350 persons lose their lives, i.e. one fatality per day. A lot of these accidents occur due to drunken driving, in light of this the government’s initiative to station designated drivers near bars to drop inebriated people home and avoid potential accidents is laudable. At a later date the State might also introduce a legislation making it compulsory for bars and clubs to have a driver for such exigencies stationed permanently.
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For the ongoing Goa Road Safety Week a special vehicle with audio visual facilities has been designed to caution citizens about the perils of drunken driving. Awareness shall be spread across the State via street plays, khell tiatr, films, etc, displayed on truck mounted screens. It is hoped that people would understand that needless deaths can be avoided if they wear helmets, obey traffic rules and don’t indulge in drunken driving. The government also needs to quickly address the issue of potholes which contribute in no small measure to accidents, simply blaming the delayed withdrawal of the monsoons for not repairing them on time just doesn’t cut it.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Kudos to ex-governor of Goa
Kudos to the ex-Governor of Goa Satya Pal Malik on his latest interview, for having the courage to blatantly and unapologetically pull no punches on the ruling BJP party in Goa and India. Goa needs a Governor like him and was blessed to have him for a short time. He did well to hold the ruling party into account and blew the whistle when he saw and knew of the massive corruption. Instead of accepting a bribe and being quiet, he did what a good governor should do i.e. to look out for the good of the State.
It was indeed sad of the consequences he had to face by being transferred far away so that he wouldn’t interfere in the plans of the ruling government. It only shows how massive the corruption is in the country and what can be done to silence any whistleblower. The present ruling party in Goa is all about grabbing and retaining power and while in power, seeking to modify Goa as per the whim of their party whether the citizens of Goa like it or not, be it the double track issue or any other controversial issue, the government is out for their own agenda. May God bless this man.
Ezekiel Carvalho, via email
Converting fish waste into compost
Fish markets across the State produce large quantities of fish waste. This waste is disposed of in an unscientific manner. The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has reportedly admitted that there are unauthorised activities of the fish cutting and cleaning in large quantities at wholesale fish-market and the waste generated on account of these activities are disposed of in an unhygienic and unscientific manner. It is a well known fact that raw fish waste serves as an excellent manure for coconut trees and other fruit-bearing trees.
Fish waste can also be converted into compost which has the advantage of having nutrient content consisting of potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition to this, compost produced from fish waste serves to maintain the quality as the compost remains hygienic and free from contaminants such as heavy metals and other toxic compounds. Fish waste is the best compost that adapts quickly to the soil.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Phasing out fossil fuels is urgent
It has been reported that amongst the fossil fuels, coal which is used in coal-fired power plants account for 85% of air pollution due to the emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming and subsequent climate change and that the use of petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) account for 15% of the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
In India recently an alarm has been raised about the availability of coal for power generation, with even this shortage, having become a big cause for concern, which might disrupt power supply in the country. Are we to believe that India will not do its extra bit and phase out, faster than normal, coal-fired power plants and continue the pollution of the environment thus precipitating climate change and not doing enough to meet emission norms that have become so critical considering that India is facing natural calamities such as cyclones and floods due to imminent climate change? Warming of the earth is causing anomalous climatic conditions which are all being proved scientifically as a direct consequence of higher temperatures.
As far as petroleum products are concerned, the advent of electrical vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are the best way forward for a much cleaner environment, which can sustain healthy living.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Ban all firecrackers during Diwali
Several States have decided to completely prohibit the sale and use of firecrackers, mindful of the toxic haze overhanging most cities, especially in the winter months. Last year, the National Green Tribunal had banned the use of firecrackers in NCR till the end of the festive season, while several States had made concessions for green crackers. And also to limit the spread of the novel Coronavirus and the threat of other respiratory infections which normally spread much quicker during the winter. Firecrackers are synonymous with Diwali, a major festival for the majority Hindu population.
When the festival of Diwali started out, there were no firecrackers – people just lit lamps and diyas. Fireworks were incorporated later, over time. Incorporating fireworks into the celebrations of Diwali made symbolic sense. While active cases of pandemic have shown a dip in India, the danger is still very much present. Bursting of fire crackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals, which have a severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Illegally accepted amount is not a bribe?
Recently in a landmark judgment the High Court at Orissa ruled that the mere acceptance of any amount by way of illegal gratification or its recovery is outside the scope of the proof of demand and is not sufficient to bring home the charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ruling by the vacation bench allowed the appeal of a person who, 18 years back, had alleged accepted Rs 500 as bribe and was sentenced to 2 years rigorous imprisonment. Based on the ruling the appellant was acquitted of all charges.
The ruling is puzzling to the common person since any form or amount of illegal indulgence is considered to be covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Does the judgement support or otherwise the Act? The government or the judiciary need to clarify in simple words the nagging doubts of the people as to whether bribe giving and taking are unlawful or not.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Bollywood drugs case
From the way the things are going on, one gets an impression that all agencies are being used by the Achhe Din Sarkar. The investigation into the Bollywood drugs case in Mumbai has taken a macabre twist where the NCB chief is alleged to have demanded crores of rupees from a Bollywood actor.
There are many unanswered questions which the NCB has to explain.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
