Metal barriers
in front of shops
It has now become a familiar sight to see metal barriers being placed in front of business premises in the marketplace in order to allow access for the customers visiting the shops. There appears to be no problem as long as the barrier is not placed in the parking lot which deprives vehicular owners of parking space when they visit the market. It is learnt that such barriers are even placed in front of residential premises.
It is a fact that customers need to have easy access to the shops and residents to their homes. But it does not seem proper to install such barriers in public places if there is paucity of parking space.
Such barriers can even cause inconvenience to pedestrians. Some establishments even have ‘No Parking’ boards installed in front of their premises. Does this not deprive vehicular owners their right to park their vehicles in public space? Shouldn’t there be a system in place whereby shop owners need to take permission from the respective civic body or panchayat to install such metal barriers or ‘No Parking’ boards?
It seems necessary for the authorities to show zero tolerance towards “Illegal” installation of barriers and ‘No Parking’ boards that reduces parking space which is sparse. Alternatively the authorities could charge a certain fee for the shop owners to install such sign boards and barriers in public areas.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Crowd crush
occurs again!
In a heart wrenching incident, six devotees and many others got injured in a stampede that occured in Tirupati where a large crowd had gathered to collect tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara temple.
Whenever a stampede occurs, a list of questions arise regarding the precautionary measures taken by the organisers, crowd management tactics arranged and the various tactics readied if such untoward incident occurs. Sad that these are not seriously taken before conducting the events where heavy crowds normally emerge. Be it music and dance shows, film premiers, festivals and processions at worshipping sites, fairs and miscellaneous functions , the organisers and the programme conductors should definitely sketch a 'risk avoid' plan in case such mishaps happen.
Meticulous crowd management schemes, smart and alert security and quick response action taken in case such incidents can avoid crowd crushes. Appropriate measures can be taken with latest technology like AI, drones and anti stampede monitoring alarms. Also multiple exit arrangements can prevent such incidents from happening again.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Prevent stampedes,
save lives
Even as we could slowly come to terms over the incident of the stampede at a cinema theatre in Hyderabad just a month ago, the nation has witnessed another tragic stampede, taking place in Tirupati a few days ago. It raises some key questions like why adequate police force wasn’t deployed and why proper crowd management control wasn’t in place despite knowing well that an unprecedented crowd would surge to collect ‘free dharshan’ tokens issued at various counters on the eve of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival.
Deadly crowd surges have become a common sight in India in recent times, especially during religious events. The role of authorities and their utter failure and negligence to manage huge crowds primarily cause such stampedes. While the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had released guidelines in 2014 for crowd management, these directions are flouted with impunity.
By ensuring separate entry and exit points at a location, deploying adequate police and security personnel and using a public address system to dispel rumours and any other communication, stampedes can be prevented, saving precious human lives.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
‘Official’ real estate
scams allowed?
Goa Police are investigating a massive investment scam worth over Rs 100 crore, involving several arrests and ongoing investigations. The masterminds tricked investors into believing they would earn high returns from investments in the stock market. However, instead of using the funds for the promised investments, the accused reportedly misused the money for their personal expenses.
However there appears to be severe contradictions in Goa where some politicians seem to be exempt from even bigger scams! One particular disturbing development currently in process at North Goa is some politicians have set up real estate companies, took over large areas of land and gave it to outside mega builders to construct massive real estate projects. All approvals
(even many times found to be in violation of environmental laws) are allegedly given are under the authority of these very same politicians.
These massive real estate projects are then marketed all over India and even in foreign countries! Does this not appear to be a scam much more than the above mentioned investment scam of 100 crores!
So my question is point blank to the Government is: "Are 'official scams' allowed?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Child deserters have to
be brought to book
Child abandonment cases are on the rise in India with incidents of babies being deserted in trains, platforms, markets and even dustbins coming to light. That deserting one's own creature, born of wedlock or otherwise, is a very heinous crime does not need to be overstated.
Poverty, physical and mental disability of child or one or both the parents, drive people to ditch their child. Children are often placed in crowded places as the deserters hope the babies would land in "safe hands". No amount of education or awareness seem to help the cause of the small kids.
There is no reason to elaborate on more female infants being subjected to this phenomenon. In India, 7 out of ten abandoned children are girls. It is also clear that children of unmarried couples are more prone to abandonment if one considers the fact that the infants below 12 months are most vulnerable to be deserted.
The gut feeling is that the offenders are quite often let scot---free due to social, cultural and legal issues involved in child abandonment. This should change and the offenders merit little mercy. Onus also lies on people who remain mute spectators of child abandonment. Instead they should bring any doubtful activities to the notice of the law enforcers.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola