Words of comfort
In this ongoing devastating spiraling pandemic it is also so awful and very disheartening to see so many homeless persons helplessly sleeping on the streets and pavements around Goa. Their problems only further aggravated in the recent Cyclone Tauktae with more suffering in store during the approaching monsoons. Would the government consider setting up night shelters at least in all the cities across the State for these destitute people? Infact as part of the disaster management task there should have been such a contingency plan in place.
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In Panjim, that multi-storey car park next to the Mandovi bridge which is lying unutilized for the last so many years could be converted as a shelter for those languishing at night on the streets of the capital city.
If nothing else, at least this kind initiative of the government will be appreciated especially during this pandemic when it is inhumane not to care for these deprived and distressed brethren. Supporting these needy and marginalized people will boost their immunity and health which is so very necessary to fight the virus and reduce the risk of onward transmission.
While we battle this raging pandemic, the emphasis and focus of the Government should at all times be on care, concern and comfort of every citizen not forgetting the poorest of the poor. Just words of comfort for our needy, marginalized and destitute is not enough. It must be through concrete deeds that would bring the much needed succor and solace to these unfortunate brothers and sisters without a shelter in these very trying times.
Nelson Mandela had so very rightly said “Freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs, if they can have no shelter, if illiteracy and disease continue to dog them”.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
He(a)rd immunity?
As of this week only 6% of Goa’s population has been fully vaccinated, trying to increase this figure by holding meaningless ‘Tika Utsavs’ is an exercise in futility as vaccines are in extremely short supply nationwide.
The Centre has botched up the basic math required to know how many doses are needed and the timeline for when they are needed; no details, plans, strategy or intent is on display by the government, infact it has washed it’s hands off the whole affair by shifting the onus /blame to the states, the PM meanwhile continues mouthing inane homilies on TV about being a Vishwaguru.
Infection numbers and mortality rates are being fudged brazenly to grossly understate the true scale of the pandemic, the powers that be are living in criminal denial of this avoidable human tragedy unfolding everyday just so the image of the dear leader remains untarnished (it is in tatters anyway thanks to the foreign media) who is presently laser focussed on winning the 2022 state elections. Now this new lollipop of ‘herd immunity’ is being bandied about by Sarkari mandarins.
Consider the case of a small state like Goa where till date only 96,000 individuals out of a population of 16 lakhs have received both doses, for herd immunity to kick in atleast 80% (the official % age has been deliberately lowered to 60) of the population needs to be inoculated, and inoculated fast before the virus’ mutation is substantially checked and this chimera called ‘ herd immunity’ kicks in. There is a lot to learn from our past experience with polio, small pox , tuberculosis, measles and other such afflictions.
I would earnestly request the government to procure vaccines by whatever means possible to tide over this crisis before the predicted third wave of Covid morphs into an all consuming inferno. Granting limited period ‘compulsory license’ along with tax holidays to local pharmaceutical firms to manufacture vaccines is the way out since almost 100% of the vaccine production capacity by foreign companies till 2022 is committed for delivery to other nations.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Good decision on underground cabling
As the Goa government intends to prioritize underground cabling of power lines since the network is mostly overhead, it is the need of the hour and should be undertaken on urgent basis. Not only during cyclones but mostly in the monsoons, it is the coastal areas that remain without power supply for several hours and even for days together when power lines are snapped.
Besides corrosion of power lines and other equipment is another factor for power disruption. Definitely it is difficult and cumbersome for the power department to do the necessary restoration again and again in these vulnerable areas.
I would like to appeal to the Chief Minister to consider the proposal of the power minister to provide underground power cabling specially to all the coastal areas where communities have suffered for decades. Besides it will be a boost to the tourism industry as well.
Cleto Fernandes, Benaulim
Act within limits
The country has well-defined demarcation of powers for its civil servants, police officers and judges. Of late, especially after the Covid-19 induced lockdown, a dangerous but deplorable trend of civil servants donning the role of the police has bewildered people.
There are examples galore, but the recent high-handedness of top district officials in various parts of the nation has disturbed the psyche of the common man. One wonders who gave district collectors the power to wield batons, smash cell phones and slap citizens? It cannot be that the officers high on power were blissfully unaware of the rules. It’s not also as if the “highly qualified” IAS officers were swayed by films.
Perhaps these officers were cocksure that their employer, the government , would laugh away the incidents. Maybe, they pinned their hopes on their ‘connections’. It is, therefore, good news that some action has been taken on the power-drunk officers. An officer has been suspended for slapping a boy, another who went on a fret and fume spree at a marriage hall very individual at a marriage hall has been transferred.
Every IAS officer is imparted a lengthy training before he/she is given a posting. Citizens are compelled to ask whether or not the officers are taught the nuances of public conduct. There are plenty of honest, sincere and hard working civil servants who play by the rules. The government should encourage such officers to the hilt.
Not that the ” heroes” be rusticated; they have to undergo correctional measures. People are terrified by the horrible pandemic. Many of those who venture out during the lockdown may indeed have a valid reason. It befits a high ranking official to patiently hear out the people’s explanations rather than going berserk at them.
Even if a stray person is unable to produce valid documents, an officer is expected to counsel the person. More than anything, if a common man retaliates, then the ensuing mayhem would be beyond words.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Decentralise vaccination
To eliminate the risk of Covid, it is necessary to decentralise the system of Covid vaccination. We need to shift from the system of Tika Utsavs, which have the potential to be a super spreader of Covid as it is a gathering of several persons. The Tika Utsavs are become events where politicians of the ruling party visit and give their speeches. This has been seen in Goa also.
Further, the focus should be to vaccinate 18 to 44 years olds, since some among those aged above 45 years are reluctant to be vaccinated despite the walk in facility at the vaccination centres.
The Government must explore walk in facility for 18 to 44 years olds in Goa, since to book a slot is a painful process for persons residing in hinterlands like Sanguem and Sattari, owing to poor network coverage.
Sadanand M. Raikar, Colva
