Zuari bridge
accident is tragic
Goans were shattered with the news of accident and tragic death of four family members on Wednesday midnight. The accident has raised eyebrows on the way the accident happened. It is surprising that the vehicle Renault Duster SUV bearing Registration number GA08K 8334 plunged into river after crossing the side barricades and a platform of around height of 15 to 20inch.
The fact is that after 10 pm all the vehicle drivers are of preset mind that there will be no much vehicular traffic on road and hence everybody drives fast. After the incident many have started blaming government for bad road conditions in Goa. There is a concern for road conditions in Goa and also traffic system. Many road accidents have occurred by vehicles coming from outside state. There are accidents by tourist with Rent a Bike and Rent a car available n Goa.
There should be stringent actions on rash driving with latest technology available and CCTV cameras installed on bridges and national highgway. Drivers on rash and negligent vehicles should be challaned by sending the notice. CCTV installation and footage is important in today’s traffic which is on rise with young and youth driving the vehicles. Government should not be blamed for all the accidents as there is fault on driver on seat sometimes. The above incident will remain in the history and will be a lesson for those drivers on seat. We can only pray to God to give strength to family members for losing loved ones. Hope all the vehicle drivers take caution on speed and control of the vehicle while on driver’s seat.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Heatwaves, wildfires ravage Europe
Climatically Europe is a temperate region with precipitation in the form of rain and snow being more than adequate. So it is appalling that United Kingdom which is a small island and thus surrounded by water, should have been devastated by temperatures that reached 40 degree Centigrade, never seen before.
Also, the Iberian peninsula of Portugal and Spain have been ravaged by heatwaves and wildfires with temperatures reaching 47 degree Centigrade and more grimly having lost at least 750 lives due to the heatwaves and wildfires in the first three weeks of July alone. This is unbelievable for a region that is also temperate in nature. Similarly France, Belgium and Italy have also witnessed heatwaves that were totally unexpected and a cause for great concern as the consequence of climate change.
Science has brought about much innovation that can be used to bring about a better quality of life, but also some of the comforts of nature having been abused by men. Take the usage of air-conditioners especially in Europe. air-conditioners cool the areas where they are installed, but the heat that is formed through the exhaust is released into the surroundings thus heating the air further. This vicious cycle of heating causes hotter air then begins to have a cascading effect on heat generation, which further drives up the temperatures. This is just one instance of the chain reaction of heating that leads to higher temperatures.
The other one is the use of fossil fuels, like coal and petroleum products which emit carbon dioxide and thus leads to capturing of the heat of the sun leading to global warming. From the experiences of Europe, India and even Goa have to learn from their mistake and eliminate as far as possible green house gas emissions. Although not in Goa, parts of northern India have experienced heat waves and it should be our endeavour to curb greenhouse gas emissions and thus learn a lesson from the mistakes of temperate Europe.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Tiger safari,
a good idea
This has reference to the report ‘Forest department proposes tiger safari in Bondla Zoo’s protected areas’ (Herald, July 29, 2022). That sounds like a good proposal, with the State forest department exploring the possibility of launching a first-of-its kind Tiger Safari in and around the Bondla zoo. According to the news report, the Bondla zoo is getting a revamp, with a tiger and a tigress being procured from a rescue centre in Nagpur. It’s good to note that the authorities realise how important it is to save wildlife & the forests.
In neighbouring Mumbai however, we seem hell bent on destroying wildlife and forests. Mumbai is fortunate to have such forest areas within the city however, presently the bone of contention is Aarey, where the authorities are proceeding to construct a Metro car-shed. The authorities refuse to understand, that Aarey is a forest and wild cats have been regularly making their appearance at Aarey and nearby residential areas.
One hopes saner counsel will prevail and the authorities not just in Mumbai or Goa, but all across the country, understand that wild life and humans can co-exist if we adopt a ‘Live and Let Live’ attitude.
Melville X. D’Souza, Mumbai
Concessions for senior
citizens in Railways
There is no concession for senior citizens in Railways, but netas get freebies. During the Covid pandemic, the railways condescendingly withdrew the concession in toto not wanting to encourage senior citizens to indulge in indiscriminate travel.
The Indian Railway continues to provide free train tickets for Members of Parliament and for ex-members. The private airlines such as Vistara and transport buses provide concession fares for senior citizens to enable them to live a life of dignity in their sunset years. Post Covid, MPs, MLAs, former ministers and officers and members of several Passenger Committees continue to benefit by way of passes for free and concessional travel. But Indian Railways is adopting intransigent attitude towards the elderly by an outright denial of benefits to senior citizens.
Under this present condition, senior citizens have become NRI (Non-Required-Indians) both in family as well as in government establishments.
K G Vilop, Chorao
