SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024
Goa grapples with stray cattle menace
The fate of the lingering bovines consuming plastic have always remained unknown. The plastic bags/bottles and several other items similar to it are scattered at the edge of garbage bins or isolated areas. However, these plastic bags get carried away by wind and get scattered everywhere and the said bovines are prone to it. To work out a balanced solution which will ensure safety and justice to everyone, prompt ‘Site Cleanliness Drive’ ought to be done by the authorities concerned.
Addressing the safety hazards and the provision of the said bovines, it’s infact the prime responsibility of the owners. Frequently these cattle don’t receive the priority they deserve by their owners. Henceforth, the ground reality remains unchanged, and these bovines keep loitering aimlessly on the streets posing danger to travellers.
A reality check has been provided by Animal Husbandry department that approximately 567 cattle deaths took place across the State due to ingestion of plastic, for the financial year 2023-24. Subsequently, this ferocious incident has snowballed into a growing crisis in the State. Nevertheless, the authorities concerned should continue to call for decisive action to put an end to this menace.
Joseph Savio De Souza, Rajasthan
Trees are resilient, want to coexist
It is learnt that the 200-year-old banyan tree which was transplanted and relocated, not once but twice, at the new football ground at Campal, Panaji, in April reportedly got a lease of life as fresh leaves started to emerge. Though this has brought a sigh of relief to environmentalists and nature lovers, according to experts, the tree is still in the infancy stage and all steps need to be taken to see to it that the tree regrows to its past glory. Translocation is an intricate process and includes advanced technique and careful planning. Be that as it may, the resilience of the replanted banyan tree is a fine example of the conviction shown by the plant kingdom to survive and coexist alongside human beings. Plants which are able to rapidly adjust their cellular physiology to fit any kind of growing conditions may be more resilient to changes in the environment. Some plants store water in their tissues, while others have developed deep root systems to access underground water sources. These adaptations enable them to thrive despite challenging conditions. Trees have been on planet earth for hundreds of millions of years and always seem to find a way to adapt and thrive in their environments. It is no surprise, then, that in the face of tragedy, trees often become symbols of resilience, perseverance, and hope.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Heat wave deaths could have been avoided
The index of the development of a society or a nation is recognised by the number of fatalities that occur during natural or manmade disasters. Lesser number of fatalities indicate that the services to cope with the disasters like rescue and relief are organised, efficient and responsive. This is being said in the context of the 34 heat wave deaths in Delhi on 20 June 2024 as reported in the papers. Delhi has been undergoing heat wave conditions over the last month or so coupled with a scarcity of water supply. This is where the government has to step in and provide for drinking water at least on every street corner so that people can remain hydrated. The health services should also have been geared up to deal with heat stroke.
Nothing was done and in the capital of India people have to die of heatstroke because of the inability of the government to deal with the situation. Our politicians talk big but when it comes to dealing with issues at ground level they fail miserably.
Srinivas Kamat, Mysore
Cop’s remarks in Mandur baby case disgusting
This is with reference to the news articles in the O Heraldo regarding the remnants and limbs of a newborn baby found at Mandur.
Initially, as soon as the limbs of the infant were found, it was disgusting to note a police officer saying that it was a still-born baby. How was he so sure that it was a still-born child when only the limbs were found and the rest of the body eaten by strays?
God alone knows how many such unwanted babies are dumped in places where nobody finds them! Mother Teresa described this as, “a Collective Sin upon the conscience of a society that knows but looks the other way”. There are many dedicated organisations in Goa that try to save such babies from such a cruel fate. For the last three years, Pe Almir Seva Kendr is trying to save such children by reaching out to desperate individuals in need of guidance. Caritas also operates the OPM Creche at Nachinola which has a cradle placed outside their door where such desperate parents can discreetly leave their unwanted babies.
These children are then registered as per law and looked after well till they reach the age of adoption where they can be legally adopted by childless couples.
Allwyn N D’Souza, Saligao
NET needs better IT infrastructure
One’s heart goes out to students who gave the NET exam, and now face the prospect of having to answer it again as the government has decided to cancel the test. A centralised exam testing has resulted in so many inefficiencies, increased anxieties, and finally, perhaps, even killed any hope of being able to make a successful career. This is unfair to younger people who want to decide their own careers.
The Government and the new education minister need to investigate if a centralised system works, put in place a robust online test, look into the quality of science education and finally identify those who have a talent for the NEET exam. The State government conducted HSSC exams have run pretty well, and perhaps, the Centre could consider roping in capable colleges to run the test to identify the potential candidates who can then at another level take the final test. Institutes like the IIMs can be roped in as well.
Moreover, delivery of education varies all over the country, so students come with varying levels of knowledge. For a country that has rolled out AADHAAR based on solid IT infrastructure, this is difficult to comprehend why NET has caused heartbreak. The government should consider private-public partnerships to ensure that all students have a fair chance, and also ensure that it works without failing. India’s younger citizens deserve better.
Brian de Souza, Margao
