Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought forth the vision of ‘Toilets before Temples’. Modi plans to make toilet each household’s necessity and not a luxury as is now the case in homes belonging to poor people. By 2019, he hopes that every household and every school in the country will have its own toilet. It is understood that as of now nearly 58% of people in India defecate in the open. China and Indonesia share the second place with just 5% of their population not having toilets. Sikkim which became the first ‘Nirmal Rajya’ has been declared as 100% open defecation-free followed by Kerala and Himachal Pradesh. If so, why can’t the entire country be declared as open defecation-free? Statistics have shown that more Indians own a mobile phone than a lavatory of their own. Women can play an important role in providing toilets in the homes. Every woman of marriageable age should make it a point not to agree to marry into a home, which does not have a toilet. If the family of the groom can demand a dowry from the bride’s family then the bride has every right to demand for a toilet in the house of her potential in-laws. Those women who are already married in homes that do not have a toilet should return to their parent’s home till such time that their husbands are able to provide toilets in their homes so that they do not have to answer nature’s call in the open. Only such stringent measures adopted by the women will go a long way in improving sanitation in the country.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Black money
The statement made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that the disclosure of names of black money holders will embarrass the Congress is a sure sign that the BJP has failed in its election promise of bringing back the black money within 100 days.
Why is the BJP afraid of disclosing the names? Is it only because it will embarrass the Congress or any other party or individual? These types of statements made by senior-most ministers in the Government only indicate selective targeting of their opponents in an attempt to take away the spotlight from the real issues at hand.
Matias Lobo, Oman
Proper ‘entry system’ for SFX Exposition
The views and suggestions expressed by Agustin P D’Souza, that appeared in the ‘People’s Edit’ column of October 14 edition of Herald is very valid and the suggestion given makes good sense. In absence of any proper method of ‘entry system’ to the Se Cathedral, the people who visit will be put to a lot of hardship and inconvenience. Specially, the differently abled, Senior Citizens, and women with children/infants in their hand, will be facing a lot of hardships. The organisers may take note of this and plan out a proper and practical ‘entry system’ during the Exposition. They may utilise the modern IT technology (through Google for displaying the ‘entry system’) otherwise the devotees and the faithful who come to venerate the relics of the Saint will return with pain and dissatisfaction.
Besides, it is also essential that the entire ‘walk ways’ from different entry points along the main roads and the side roads, up to Se Cathedral’s entry, are properly covered providing shelter to people from the scorching sun.
T Victor, Ponda
Women taxi drivers
The introduction of taxis driven by women is a welcome step taken by the Goa Government to facilitate gender equality in the tourism trade. This move will definitely challenge the male dominated taxi mafia that blackmails government to consolidate their monopoly over this trade and thereby deny comfortable travel and competitive tariffs to the consumers. By exploiting the label of ‘Local Livelihood’, the taxi mafia is known to prevent other Goans from entering the trade and are even alleged to adopt frivolous excuses of women trafficking to restrain and intimidate Goans who travel with their family guests. We hope the tribe of woman taxi drivers will increase.
Soter D’Souza, Porvorim
China dangerous
China has objected to India’s plan to road project in Arunachal Pradesh. China maps shows parts of Arunachal Pradesh and J&K as its territory. Whatever allegedly there are border dispute in between India and China that must be settled as first priority. Though recently Mr. Modi had rightly put the border issue before business or other talks. Since China repeatedly is playing mischief with Indian Territory , this country is the biggest threat to India. Delhi must wake up. Sadly, just after the bilateral meeting, China restarted incursions into Indian Territory. Ratan Tata severed business ties with Pakistan due to the proxy war. The Indian Government must follow suit with China.
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi
