Are we the greatest democracy?
With the latest election of Humza Yousaf of Pakistani descent as the Head of the Scottish government, Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman of Indian origin as the Premier and Home Secretary of UK respectively, Leo Varadkar of Indian origin as the Irish Premier, besides Sadiq Khan of Pakistani origin as the Mayor of London, the erstwhile rulers of the Indian sub-continent have given the reins of authority to those who were their subjects for around two hundred years. It is admirable that individuals with connection to the sub-continent have risen to such heights in the Western democratic countries; hats off to such progressive democracies which do not prioritise ethnicity, creed and sexual orientation of an individual. Their constitutions have ruled supreme though there could be underlying individual biases and bigotry.
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We can also add to the list Antonio Costa, the Portuguese Premier of Indian/Goan origin besides the numerous members of Indian origin in the Canadian government and in US House of Representatives, in State Legislatures and the Judiciary which goes to prove that there is no limit to what and where one can attain and reach once a person attains citizenship of a country.
Contrast this with our own country which we ourselves laud as the Greatest Democracy:
The Lok Sabha has over 90% Hindus, 5.2% Muslims, 4% Sikhs, Christians and members of other Faiths; a totally skewed representation. There is just a lone Muslim MP in the BJP. Though Muslims and Christians are very much a part of the 3 wings of the defence forces, their representation is miniscule in the government of the day. This is a sad state of the Indian democracy presently where hatred and bias towards minorities is tolerated and discreetly promoted under the mantle of Hindutva. We need to rise above such illiberal and prejudiced mindsets and give priority to merit and integrity of a person rather than a person’s Faith, Caste and Belief system if we are to label ourselves as the greatest democracy.
Alwyn M D’Sa, Miramar
No need for hoardings
This has reference to the report ‘Illegal hoardings cause for accidents’ (Herald, March 29, 2023). It is disgusting to see hoardings, some large, some small coming up all over the city and across the country. Whether these hoardings are legal or illegal, they are a gory sight. And, as the news report says, they are a cause for accidents. So, what purpose do hoardings serve? Any occasion, a birthday of a leader, or even an inauguration of a small development work is good enough for huge banners and flags to spring up.
It’s time we have a law for banning all hoardings/banners, posters, stickers, etc., throughout the country. If some development work has been done, let the work speak for itself. There is absolutely no need for hoardings and banners. In this age of the internet however, the social media is a good enough medium to publicise oneself!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Capital punishment should stay
The issue of death penalty or capital punishment continues to trigger debates. The average time for trial of those convicted to die by hanging is roughly five years in India. But the executive further delays the procedure by prolonging the presidential reference. Approximately 44 executions have taken place in India in the last 50 years. The last to be sent to the gallows were the Nirbhaya rape and murder convicts. In Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab, the Supreme Court had ruled that death penalty be handed to the accused only in “rarest of the rare” cases. The “rarest of rare” dictum has been viewed differently by different judges. Those who advocate a ban on death penalty feel the sentence is no deterrent to potential offenders- a contestable claim.
Studies have shown global trend differs in this aspect. Also citing the three-tier criminal justice system of India, where there is ample scope to appeal, we can safely conclude that no innocent person will be punished with as harsh a punishment as the death sentence. That only 36 countries including India practice death penalty, and 103 nations have abolished capital punishment, is no serious statistics to ban the ultimate sentence in India.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
World Idli Day on March 30
Every year, March 30 is observed as World Idli Day. The celebration of the day started some years ago when an enthusiastic idli lover from Chennai decided to dedicate a day to this South India’s most popular staple food. The reputation of the humble idli is really a phenomenon in the 20th century. Steamed, puffy and delectable, idli doused in sambhar and chutney, easily makes one of the nation’s much sought after nutrients for breakfast. Idli, for long has been making the South Indian cuisine proud across the sub-continent. This popular, yet simple food is not oily or greasy, and is considered to be one of the most delicious and intelligent nourishments in the South. Idli is also a ‘street food’, yet it shares no infamous reputation of being unhealthy or calorie-laden.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Charitable healthcare at Hospicio
It is learnt that to continue with the charitable healthcare service, a request has reportedly come forward from the Church in Goa to hand over the custody of a portion of the old Hospicio to Holy Spirit Church, Margao, especially the area in the vicinity of the chapel located inside the compound. It is learnt that the church authorities have expressed their plans to start a charitable clinic under Caritas. This is a step in the right direction since this once great institution was originally run by its founder, Diocesan priest late Fr Antonio Joao Miranda and later his trustees. The Hospicio was put up with the idea of catering to the needs of the poor and sick people dying on the streets on a charitable basis as there were no hospital facilities in Margao. However, since the trust could not manage the administration of the hospital it was subsequently taken over by the Government of Goa. It would hence be in the fitness of things for the present government to concede to the request of the Church and hand over a part of the hospital. While the imposing South Goa District Hospital does cater to the health needs of the people, there are still poor people living on the streets who are suffering due to sickness and there may be no one to take them to the hospital. The healthcare centre run by the Church will cater to such street dwellers and beggars who will get necessary care at the centre.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
