Celebrate eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi
Festivals in India are generally celebrated with all the frills, and the same is true for Ganesh Chaturthi. Right from handpicking flowers and decking up puja rooms and pandals, to making modaks filled with coconut and jaggery, people tend to immerse themselves in a host of activities. However, often, during the course of the celebration, we don’t realise the extent of harm we might be causing to the environment.
Many of the Ganesha idols that are sold in the market are made of plastic, thermocol, POP, and other non-biodegradable materials, which when immersed in water bodies have a detrimental effect on both the plant and animal life. Even the rangoli colours available in the market which are used for decorative purposes, are made up of hazardous substances like mica, acids, and glass powders. Since these colours cannot be decomposed biologically, they tend to degrade the surrounding spaces.
It might not sound very significant, but even the plastic used to pack or give away the prasad, adds to the existing pollution in the environment. For decoration, use only fresh flowers, diyas and electric bulbs. Avoid the usage of shiny ribbons, thermocol, plastic beads, etc, as they all end up as reject waste. For puja, use only fresh flowers, fruits, coconut, mango leaves, tulsi, grass, betel nut leaves.
Also, avoid purchasing betel nuts, haldi-kumkum or other puja items in packets, as they typically cannot be recycled. Instead, buy the whole betel nut or buy haldi-kumkum in a box. Also, do use a reusable bag when shopping. Immersion of Ganesha idols in lakes, tanks, rivers, and other water bodies is not good for the environment and marine life.
Many-a-time, the idol does not dissolve entirely and leaves several pollutants behind. Hence, symbolic immersion at the comfort of your home is a better option. Any huge bucket or a pit can be used for this. Hence, this time around, let’s look at some ways in which we can celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with all the pomp and ceremony, but without harming the planet.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Govt depts should not come to a standstill
Govt departments should not come to a standstill during the annual week-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Goa
The State government officially gives a two-day public holiday every year for all its employees working in different government departments on account of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Goa.
Unfortunately, most of the govt employees (from higher officers, lower staff to peons) are always seen annually bunking from work even after the completion of the above mentioned two-day holidays and casually staying for another five days or so without even putting their leave applications, resulting in total breakdown in the functioning of most govt departments of Goa.
Our government is always heard giving big lectures for everyone about the importance of work, especially on Gandhi Jayanthi Day every year but is never seen taking any action against its own govt employees who are annually seen refusing to work during such major week-long festivals in Goa.
I think that the government should henceforth recruit people from mix communities (i.e. Goan Catholics, Muslims, etc) without playing dirty communal politics to keep all its government departments fully operational and running as usual, especially during such annual week-long festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa.
If not, the government should shut all the government departments at least for one week during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Preventing spread of leptospirosis
In a development that may cause serious health concerns, it is learnt that the Government Veterinary Hospital at Sonsoddo has reported a rise in cases of Leptospirosis in dogs around Margao.
Leptospirosis is a rare bacterial infection passed from animals to humans. It spreads through their urine, especially from dogs, rodents, and farm animals. These animals may not have any symptoms, but they can be carriers. It is understood that in most cases, leptospirosis is unpleasant but not life-threatening, like a case of the flu. High fever, headache, bleeding, muscle pain, chills, red eyes and vomiting are some symptoms.
It rarely lasts more than a week. But in severe cases it can cause much more serious issues, like chest pain and swollen arms and legs. It often requires hospitalisation. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney and liver damage and even death.
Currently available vaccines effectively prevent leptospirosis and protect dogs for at least 12 months. Annual vaccination is recommended for at-risk dogs. Reducing the dog’s exposure to possible sources of the infection is necessary. Severely infected dogs show signs of lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and increased thirst and urination. Dogs may even develop jaundice.
The authorities concerned need to take necessary steps to arrest the transmission of the infection from the infected dogs to humans as it could become a serious health concern.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Hardik Pandya at his best
From being stretchered off the field at Dubai in the 2018 Asia Cup to being returned with a match-winning all-round performance at the same venue in the same tournament now, life has turned a full circle for Hardik Pandya. When he scalped 3 key wickets of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL finals this year and set up a memorable maiden title win for GT, there was little doubt that Hardik had returned to bowling at his best and at full tilt.
In a similar fashion in the high-octane game against Pakistan the other day, he produced a feisty spell of fast bowling, picking 3 vital wickets, besides scoring an invaluable 33 not out off 17 balls to set up India’s victory in a thriller to begin the team’s Asia Cup 2022 campaign on a thumping note.
Needless to say Hardik Pandya will be a vital cog in Team India’s wheel of fortunes in the upcoming T20 world cup.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Shops unutilised at Cansaulim Complex
T B Cunha Complex, Cansaulim, was built about 15 years back with great efforts by late Mathany Saldanha with ample parking space in front and other facilities. Unfortunately the shops have remained un-utilised for the last 15 years, with the result loss of revenue.
The Complex is under the control of Sports Authority which recently has carried out renovation work which again is a question mark?
What prompts me to write this letter is the recent meeting held by the Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai at Zuarinagar of all the Sarpanchas of Cortalim constituency along with the MLA of Cortalim Constituency Antonio Vas, where the Sarpanch of Sancoale pointed out the negligence of market complex at Zuarinagar since year 2015. Thereby the Governor gave on the spot instructions to complete the work with urgency. The question is how the previous MLA failed to complete the ongoing works.
Here my request to the present MLA Antonio Vaz to check why these shops have remained empty all these years and who is responsible for the same. But leaving all that aside urgent steps need to be taken to open these shops. I am sure the MLA will look into the same.
Antonio F Fernandes, Arossim
