Asian, African nations shine at World Cup
The FIFA World Cup 2022 has shown that Asian and African countries are slowly but surely catching up with the giants of world football. Japan took a leaf from the book of Saudi Arabia as they stunned four time world champions Germany 2-1. The Asian side pulled off its biggest win in World Cup history. The previous day Saudi Arabia had stunned the world with its 2-1 victory over Argentina. The power of belief these teams have shown will inspire the youth of these two countries for many generations. Incidentally Japan became the first ever Asian nation to beat a South American side, after they won 2–1 against Colombia in the group stage in the 2018 World Cup. Saudi Arabia has qualified for a total of six FIFA World Cup tournaments before the 2022 World Cup. Their best performance was in 1994, where they reached the round of 16. Saudi Arabia had won only three World Cup matches in its history prior to their win against Argentina. Argentina, which won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, is one of the favourites this year. Incidentally Egypt, Greece and Saudi Arabia are making a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Ranked 22 in the world, Morocco defeated Belgium which is ranked at No. 2 in the FIFA World ranking. Another Asian country, Iran beat Wales 2-0.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Mangaluru blast is a ‘wake-up call’
An explosion inside a moving autorickshaw in Mangaluru last week has turned out to be a wakeup call. Coastal Karnataka has long been a communal cauldron, with religious extremists, organisations and political parties engaging in hate speech and inciting violence against each other. This has provided ideal breeding grounds for radicalised youth. Mangaluru blast issue is dastardly act of terror and violence. And the link of some local youth to global Jihadi organisations that define that Islamic terrorism is once again pulling out its neck. It is a matter of deep concern and regret that in the recent past, such matters have become of routine in the country. Their aim is to spread panic among the people, divide the society. Terrorism in any form should not be allowed to raise its head and without any partiality, it should be dealt with iron hand. Coastal area in Karnataka is becoming heaven for terrorists. But still, the presence of sleeper cells and their links with the jihad group has internal security implications. It is necessary for the authorities to remain vigilant as well as keep an eye on all those suspected to have links or sympathy with the global radical groups. Massive research is needed to understand the footprint and organisational capacity of ISIS, its movement.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Curb noise pollution
This is with reference to the news on ‘Noise Pollution is a man-made issue…’ in the Herald edition dated 28 November 2022. Environmental Pollution is indeed a huge issue today but we also need to direct our attention towards noise pollution. The GSPCB chairman Mahesh Patil, has rightly stated that noise pollution is a man-made problem, and is going about his task to resolve this issue. Loud parties and music without permission, of course need to be curbed. But, there is yet another aspect of noise pollution, viz. fireworks. We do not realise the damage fireworks, which go off at part of the day or night, can do to the environment, to animals and the health of people especially the sick and the aged. Just last night in our locality, there were fireworks at around One ‘O’ clock, which is total insensitivity towards others in society. Needless to say, we need to curb such activities and save ourselves from the consequences. Many problems such as pollution of all kinds, are indeed man-made, as such, the solution is also very much in our hands.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Need for gun reform
The horrifying shooting inside a Walmart store at Chesapeake, Virginia last week yet again underscores the growing gun culture in the US. Though the nerve-wracking incident reignites the debate over gun-control in America, realistically it is unlikely to result in any significant reforms, as the US has a deep and enduring connection to guns, integrated into the fabric of American society. Sadly and unsurprisingly mass shootings in the US have become a common affair, and it raises again the most obvious question that has been discussed and debated many times in the past: “Why can’t America stop the scourge of gun violence?” Distressingly enough, it cannot for the reason that gun violence in the US is symbolic of a broken political system that fails to protect its own citizens. Frequent mass shootings are a stain on the country’s international reputation. In a broader sense, the failure to implement bold measures against gun violence is seen as a dysfunctional system of a government incapable of protecting its own citizens, including children. In fact, Pew Research Center’s survey reveals the fact that an average 83 per cent of Americans have said that the US is no longer a good model of democracy to follow. This makes for depressing reading and seemingly makes it incumbent on the Biden administration to take immediate action on gun control and the need for gun reform.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
High stress levels
It goes without saying that people in pursuit of degrees and career and working away from home are constantly under stress. A recent study in Bengaluru has found that those living in paying guest (PG) accommodation spread over 45 such stays in the city, were suffering from depression and anxiety. The study analysed the age group of 18– 29 that included under graduate and post graduate students apart from those working for a living. Most men and women who relocate to a new place for career and study are hit by home sickness. Inability to confide in persons close to them, augment their stress levels. Many of them reel under peer pressure. Long study–and working—hours take a toll on them apart from the tension of traversing long distances to and from work. Quite a few of PG residents have the responsibility to take care of their elderly parents who are also economically not well-to-do.
By the same token, parents would have sold off their belongings to educate their children. A weak score here or a job setback there would severely strain them knowing well that the parents, as a natural reaction, would not be happy at all with their failures unless of course substantiated with evidence or causes. Substance use disorders, like alcoholism, are high in the affected. Unfortunately, psychiatric care in India has not received adequate attention. Most youngsters are unaware of common psychological disorders. Anxiety and depression among others are not very familiar to them. By the time these chronic disorders make their life miserable they would have endured avoidable unpleasant situations.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Fatal road accidents
With Reference to an article by Agnelo Furtado in the Herald edition dated November 27, it has become fashion to blame government or defective road engineering when drivers do not have any iota of knowledge of the road signs and markings by driving in a rash and negligent manner resulting in fatal accidents.
It too happened recently when a car with four occupants of a Loutolim family plunged into river from Zuari Bridge meeting watery grave.
Thousands of fatal accidents take place daily and majority are due to reasons attributable to drivers and not to road conditions. The knowledge of safe and disciplined driving is found completely lacking in this country. As number of vehicles go up such incidents are bound to rise to scary levels.
Prayesh Naik, Ponda
