Road safety, need
of the hour
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The number of accidents that occur on Goan roads are not showing any signs of decreasing even though the rains have ended. It is an alarming situation and needs to be given urgent attention. The number of vehicles has increased exponentially and no one seems to be willing to follow any traffic rules.
Although the traffic violation fines have increased, it has not made much impact. One can see riders without helmets, pillion riders can never be seen wearing helmets; seat belts are rarely used, speed limits hardly followed, use of mobile phones for making phone calls and even texting while riding or driving are seen way too often, lanes are not followed, indicators not given properly, appropriate distance between vehicles never maintained.
To add to it we have the menace of potholes, wrong parking and stray animals. All in all it is a recipe for disaster. It is just very sad to see young lives being lost, families losing their bread winners, dependent children losing their parents on daily basis. This issue needs to be tackled on levels more than one.
First we the people should follow the traffic signs and rules earnestly and most importantly maintain safe distance between vehicles so that when brakes are applied they are effective. Also we should not be risking lives for five minutes of extra sleep and then rushing and driving rashly.
Second at the level of traffic cell we need a resolute campaign to be run at least for a period of three months to sanitize people on road safety, rules that need to be followed and strictly fine violators. Also the violators should be asked to pay the fine appearing in person at the RTO or court as paying at the site of offence and leaving does not seem to be bearing any outcome.
Third the Government needs to think about putting in place efficient traffic plans to ease traffic congestion by providing bypasses, diversions, subways, proper parking sites and they could even think of separate lanes for bikes and scooters. Last but not the least, the public transport system should be revamped. Since people have started preferring their personal vehicles, commuters using public transport have dropped considerably, this has led to the number and frequency of buses decreasing, this has forced to people who would take public transport to opt for personal vehicles, it’s like a vicious circle. This area should be looked into. Encouraging people to use public transport will go a long way to ease traffic congestion.
Sonia Pereira, Calata – Majorda
Punish corrupt
vote-buying candidates
There is a widely held belief that voters in India, especially the poor, sell their votes in exchange for cash, liquor, saris, and many other such goodies. The corrupt candidates engage in vote buying and win elections.
Vote buying undermines the political representation of voter interests and diminish the supply of pro-poor public services. The vote-buying encourages graft, hurts rule of law. It is India’s socio-economic architecture that has created a market for trading votes for money, a market that neither political morality nor the Election Commission’s machinery can obliterate.
That is why vote-markets mushroom clandestinely before every election anywhere in the country. The freebie distribution has become an electoral weapon to lure voters and is seen as a welfare measure, which is completely unscientific leading to economic disaster. Government should use the money spent on freebies towards job creations and infrastructure developments which leads to social upliftment and progression of the State.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Air India mishandled
peeing incident
On the Shankar Mishra in-flight peeing incident, we see in the newspapers first the Air India Association responding to the de-rostering of the crew and the pilot as announced by the DGCA by objecting to the action. In its rejoinder the Association is trying to defend the crew and the pilot involved but they do not at all mention about the victim. This is rather sad.
Further Air India has also got into the act and advised the DGCA that the action by the aviation body is excessive and that they will assist the pilot in his plea against the punishment.
Here again there is absolutely no mention of the plight of the victim, who being an Air India customer is left in the lurch while at other times the management jargon mouthed is that – Customer is King (or Queen, in this instance).
In addition, Air India has been fined another Rs 10 Lakhs for not reporting the other in-flight peeing incident in Dec 2022 on their Paris – Delhi flight.
Thus we see that the principle followed as above is every man or woman for himself or herself, and God save the victim or let them stand up for themselves. In all this the victim, a senior citizen, that too a lady, is left wondering what happened to the Tatas who has allowed her to be bounced around between the perpetrator, Shankar Mishra, the police and the courts and seriously consider keeping quiet accepting that it is common practice on Air India that passengers can pee on each other in flight.
Overall, Tatas have completely mishandled the situation. Chandrasekharan when he made the public statement that Tatas could have done better in the matter should have put his words into action. Unfortunately nothing like that was done. Tatas are losing face in this matter and maybe it is time that Ratan Tata stepped in to recover the situation.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Fitting tributes
to revolutionaries
On the occasion of Republic Day, the Chief Minister, made a historic visit to Fort Nanuz in Valpoi. This fort holds immense historical significance as it was once the stronghold of Dipaji Rane and other revolutionaries who waged a brave struggle against the oppressive Portuguese regime.
For decades, the fort stood in solitude, with little to no restoration or maintenance done to preserve its historical legacy. The locals had long been demanding that the government take steps to restore and maintain the fort, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
But, under the leadership of Pramod Sawant, things are finally looking up for Fort Nanuz. The Chief Minister paid respects at the fort on Republic Day. In a significant move, he announced that henceforth, the government will pay tributes to the revolutionaries at the fort every Republic Day.
This is not only a fitting tribute to the brave men and women who fought for freedom but also a demonstration of the government’s commitment to preserving the state’s rich historical heritage. The Chief Minister also assured that the fort will now receive the maintenance and care that it so rightly deserves.
Vaman Shyam Sankhalker, Harvalem
Need patriotism everyday
India is not behind other nations when it comes to display of patriotism on our National days and this is wonderful to see. But what most don’t seem to understand is that patriotism should be displayed 365 days a year.
Patriotism is the way we treat our fellow Indians irrespective of caste and religion in our daily lives whether as public servants or citizens. It is also the honesty the public servants should show in serving those who approach them. Why spend exorbitant money on functions celebrating Republic day when the same money can be spent more patriotically in improving lives and providing the basic needs of the citizens.
If someone pays his taxes honestly, adheres to keeping his city clean, fights for the future generation against corruption and environmental destruction, he should be considered a bigger patriot. I hope Indians realise this and not keep patriotism superficial.
Denness D’Mello, Mapusa
