Tourism needs to be fast-tracked
Goa’s economy depends heavily on tourism for sustenance but owing to the pandemic and consequent economic slowdown there have been widespread losses in this sector. Although the state government has lifted all restrictions on domestic visitors with even the Covid screening being done away with, the passage of foreign tourists is yet to be facilitated. Goa is identified more with beaches, booze and drugs but maybe Covid is an opportunity in disguise for a much needed course correction.
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All stakeholders need to work together to change this perception about Goa by focussing more on sustainable eco- tourism, agri tourism, conservation trails, village explorations, adventure activities , destination weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) initiatives. In a post Covid world such ‘zara hatkey’ measures would benefit the state in the long run , save it from the scourge of ‘overtourism’ and win back business which has been lost in recent times to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives.
One should also remember that tourism is a tremendous engine of growth when it comes to jobs. In light of this the state government should expedite approval of the draft tourism policy and constitution of a tourism board, shedding of administrative sloth to inject life into the moribund tourism sector is the need of the hour.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Tourism in crisis
It’s been more than four months, tourism still facing crisis. The draft tourism policy provision for constitution board has not approved yet. The travel and tourism of Goa has written to government to implement the policy. No signs for revival in the hospitality, stakeholders feel government should intervene and support tourism. Goa tourism board is all about nature, cultural, coastal, entertainment and heritage important feature for all tourists. Not sure, why there is so much of procrastination especially where state is benefitted. It’s imperative government strategic plans put forward to bolster tourism department.
Farha Sayed, Benaulim
Pollution control
I write in reference to a well written article on Herald Review Sunday edition September 27 by Eng. A.X.Esmeraldo Gomes, ‘Abatement of Pollution’, which is of great environmental importance, specially to maintain good immunity in these covid times.
This is a brainstorming article prompting the Government to come out with some innovative modern ideas to control industrial pollution to acceptable levels thereby reducing respiratory ailments; invite green industries to create much needed employment and absorb the graduates that come out of the professional colleges.
The government needs to do some out-of-the-box thinking, offering incentives to discourage brain drain and migrating to greener pastures. The article is all the more relevant as the industry think tank is resenting that Goa is slipping in the index of ease of doing business.
Agnelo Furtado, Chinchinim
Induction of e-buses, a welcome step
The introduction of 100 electric buses into the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited fleet within 3-4 months is a welcome step, under the Phase II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid & Electric Vehicles) in India, FAME India Scheme. It is hoped that with the setting up of charging stations in the state the crystallization of popularity of electric vehicles will begin, thus attracting even private bus owners as well as new car owners to go electric or hybrid. This will be a big boost to the amelioration of Ambient Air Quality (AQI) in the state. New vehicle owners should then avail of the various government incentives and go electric or hybrid.
However, before the introduction of these electric buses, the asphalting of the roads has to be done at least on all the routes on which these electric vehicles will ply as well as the various bus stops in the state. Many roads and bus stations across the state are in a very bad condition. Indeed also, maximum efforts should be made to protect the environment of Goa.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Caution regarding reopening of schools
This is regarding plans to reopen schools for higher classes. We cannot follow foreign countries in opening schools as multiple generations in India live in the same house, whereas in foreign countries most of the people move out from their homes after getting a job and live separately from their parents. So sending students to schools, can at most infect only the parents and not the grandparents as they live separately. The concerned authorities have perhaps not thought about this fact while discussing the reopening of schools.
Covid-19 being highly contagious, can easily infect an entire family after just 1 member gets infected. So younger siblings, parents and grandparents can get infected if their children in Std 10th-12th get infected. Despite following all possible safety measures, children sent to schools in some countries abroad have been infected. Even frontline doctors have been infected despite wearing full body PPE. Safety measures can reduce the risk of infection to some extent but cannot guarantee protection from the virus.
The ITI institutes which have been reopened are said to have recorded 70% of attendance on the first day. Is it a good thing? Does it mean opening the institutes for regular classes is a good decision? Certainly not. Majority isn’t always right. The decision to not attend classes by the minority 30% of the students seems correct as new cases are still coming up. All over India, all educational institutes are closed for normal classes. The central guideline says students from Std 9th onwards can come to school with parent’s consent only to discuss any difficulty with teachers which cannot be resolved online or on the phone. Even if the centre had to allow normal classes, we have to act according to the prevailing situation in our state and not simply go ahead with reopening, isn’t it?
Is it really worth risking lives for education during once in a century pandemic? What happens if a academic year is postponed? Don’t youngsters remain unemployed for months and years searching for a job after completing their education? Only a few get jobs as soon as they complete their education. Also, just being well educated and passing out without failing/repeating a single academic year doesn’t guarantee automatic success in life.
We can see so many cases of people in our lives who are less educated but are more successful than those who are better educated then them. I’m not trying to devalue education, it has it’s importance. But good health and surviving this pandemic is more important at the moment and education can be continued later on. A pause in a year or two in education doesn’t matter when it comes to saving lives. The long term effects of the virus are not yet known and many discharged patients get lung fibrosis and require medical care again. As we all know, prevention is better than cure. Stay home, stay safe.
Joel Furtado, Quepem
Jaswant Singh, a true statesman
In the passing away of Jaswant Singh, the nation has truly lost an effective statesman, orator and soldier. Unlike some of the current day politicians, Singh never used the army in order to garner votes for his party; politicians would do well in remembering this fact. He will also be fondly remembered for his unique perspectives on India’s defence policy. India is intellectually poorer in his absence.
Anish Esteves, Mumbai
