Climate change and Dengue
The Indian Council for Medical Research has linked the rising cases in dengue across India to climate change induced rain patterns. While malaria has witnessed a declining trend, excessive intermittent rain and an extended monsoon period has caused mosquito breeding sites to proliferate in flowerpots, tyres, coolers, water tanks, potholes and any form of stagnant water.
Unprocessed wet garbage and exposed landfills soaked in rainwater, increased urbanisation and mushrooming of slums has added to the spread of this vector borne disease. The Aedes aegypti mosquito can infect up to ten persons a day unlike its malarial counterpart, the reason why dengue outbreaks are more lethal and a headache for healthcare professionals. It is also a myth that the dengue mosquito bites only during the day, in fact it is active during the nights too in brightly lit areas.
Preventive measures like regular fogging, cleaning of stagnant water, keeping surroundings free of litter, wearing full sleeved outfits and use of mosquito repellents would go a long way in keeping dengue at bay. Climate change would birth many epidemics including dengue in the years to come unless we make all out efforts to reverse it, that is the elephant in the room.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Dilpidated buildings are dangerous
The collapse of a 60-year-old, three-storey building in Lakkasandra in South Bengaluru exposes the perils of living in ramshackle buildings. The building, which housed around 60 labourers, was dilapidated and had developed cracks after the recent rains. Adjoining buildings bore the brunt when the structure came crashing down.
Thankfully, there was no loss of life or limb as the occupants had left for work. The BBMP must survey all old and dilapidated buildings in the city and decide their fate.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
CCTV surveillance in hospitals
Taking cognisance of the sexual abuse incident, North Goa District Hospital authority has reportedly decided to install CCTV camera surveillances in the hospital premises. It may be recalled that a ward boy attached to the North Goa District Hospital was arrested by the Mapusa police for sexually abusing two minor siblings in the lift of the hospital while the victims’ mother was being shifted for treatment.
It must be said that in hospitals and healthcare facilities, video surveillance is an effective tool for increasing security. It can protect hospital employees and patients from security breaches. There have been instances of doctors being abused and even physically attacked by relatives of a patient. CCTV surveillance can be a deterrent to such incidents or the footage can be used in the investigation. But what is also important is to have signs displayed warning people that the place is under CCTV surveillance.
Obviously cameras will have to be installed in the elevators of the hospital, entrances and exits, parking lots among other critical areas requiring video surveillance. It must be said that extreme caution must be exercised while installing CCTV cameras in a hospital. The use of CCTV surveillance in hospitals can be problematic because of the need to protect patients’ confidentiality. Images of patients should not be disclosed without their consent. When other people are recorded on the same footage, their image should be blurred to protect their confidentiality. Installing CCTV cameras in the female ward could be a tricky issue as privacy is of prime importance there.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Turtle nesting site turns turtle
Devastation at Galgibaga beach brought about by Cyclone Vayu and Cyclone Tauktae has impacted the nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles, environmentalists are hoping that natural beach renovation in October would accrete sand for the flippered guests. Adverse weather phenomena has opened up a direct channel to the sea and has brought salinity into the Galgibaga river further complicating matters. Several trees which lined the sheltered sites were uprooted, also the borders of the sand dunes which housed the nests have been badly damaged.
Sand erosion needs to be quickly checked either by planting of trees, making bunds or bringing in sand from external sources to compensate for the degraded stretches. The government should formulate a workable plan to counter climate change induced havoc and also to minimise human activity near the nesting areas, lest we lose these hard shelled visitors forever.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
When can we expect relief?
It is distressing that huge and many potholes remain unrepaired for months all across the State. It is similarly equally distressing that vacancies in State Consumer Commission remain unfilled even in the face of high unemployment. These oversights are causing a great deal of inconvenience to the citizen. I would say that given the will and determination in the era of mechanisation that we live in, many if not most of the potholes could be repaired in a matter of just a week. Yes, a week.
On the other hand, with a little bit of foresight and care, the vacancies could/should have been filled just as they arose. Would it be too much to expect relief?
Vijay Kapoor, Old Goa
Why not for others too?
It is appreciable that actor Kamal Haasan has appealed to the State government to recognise Tamil film legend Nagesh by instituting an award in his name and installing a bust inside M G R film and Television Institute. There is no second opinion that the versatile actor deserves such recognition.
At the same time, one is at a loss to understand why Kamal has been silent all these days to seek due recognition for other great Tamil actors also some of whom predeceased Nagesh, of course, after leaving indelible marks in Tamil cinema. Can we afford to forget the ever unforgettable ‘Danaal’ Thangavelu and Manorama? Can anyone ignore the greatest comedian of our time, J P Chandra Babu who has proved with his inherent talents of versatile acting, decent and scintillating comedy, singing, dancing and also as composer of music and even as Director of films that he was truly fine arts personified?
It would have been better if only Kamal has sought recognition for all those thespians of Tamil film industry instead of for Nagesh alone.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
On the occasion of farmers’ movement
‘Sanyukta Kisan Morcha’ staged a ‘Bharat Bandh’ agitation against the three agricultural laws of the Central Government. Its blow hit some northern States. The agitation took place. But what next? Lockdown had to do to stop Corona. It has caused a lot of economic loss to the country. The country is recovering after the unlock. In it, country has harmed by agitating. This is the first such movement since the corona’s influence waned. Every sector needs to work hard to accelerate the development of the country.
How did we succeed in shutting down? They are engrossed in saying this. The same was seen during the agitation. The shutdown was successful in more than 23 States. But that’s not really the case. People do not want India Bandh, strike or any other movement. What is the use of blocking highways and railways? It can be said that a movement is successful only if a large number of people participate in it. What is the wisdom in forcing people to get in the way?
Jayesh Rane, Mumbai
