SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024
Landslides: Penalise contractor
This is in reference to the report appearing in O Heraldo (June 23 edition) with regards to the landslide that occurred along a hillock located along the Malpem-Poroscodem on the NH-66. The landslide on Saturday (June 22) morning, led to a boulder crashing down and nearly missing a car thereby damaging the retaining wall. The same day at noon, another boulder rolled down and landed on a cut mountainside at Dhargalim.
Luckily there were no casualties at both the places. Rather than blaming the vagaries of nature, the sheer negligence of the contractor needs to be condemned.
The simple methods would have been to fix steel meshes along the slope, as done along parts of Konkan Railway routes. These remedial measures should be carried out before the monsoon peaks. The government needs to check if safety measures were mentioned in the tender. If yes, then strict action should be taken against the contractor by imposing penalties.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Celebrate Sao Joao in a meaningful way
The Sao Joao festival was celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in different parts of Goa recently. Well, the Bible clearly tells us that St John the Baptist was a holy man, who preached baptism of repentance by water in the river Jordan, and spoke about the imminent coming of Jesus Christ. St John never ever consumed alcohol throughout his life.
Unfortunately, some Goans are seen following the wrong practices/traditions of their ancestors of consuming alcohol and jumping in wells/swimming pools, whilst celebrating the annual festival in Goa.
Of course, they say that the reason why they keep jumping in wells/swimming pools on the feast day of St John the Baptist, is because the great Saint had leaped in his mother Elizabeth’s womb after hearing Mary’s greetings on that day.
Well, all that is fine. But my only question is that why can’t these people enjoy the festival without consuming alcohol, whilst jumping in wells/swimming pools and annually celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist in a more civilised & dignified manner in Goa? Why can't they get up early in the morning and compulsorily go for mass on the feast day instead of indulging in their annual merry-making stupid activities in Goa?
I think that the people, who are maligning the Saint’s name each year by consuming alcohol and indulging in their own devilish merry-making activities on his feast day in the name of following some ancestral traditions/customs (which don't even match with the life and teachings of this great Saint at all) in different parts of the State, need to seriously learn to celebrate the day in a more meaningful way by emulating his simple lifestyle and understanding the significance and the true teachings of the Saint. Hope better sense prevails.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Drug abuse is a societal menace
Drug abuse and illegal drug trade have grown into intractable menaces. Substance use disorder spares no age group though it basically is a problem faced by the youth. The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) on June 26, to focus on the grave danger posed by drugs.
Drug awareness campaign is the pivot around, which other subsidiary issues revolve. Socio-economic status of a society cannot be enhanced by unhealthy and unproductive members and that is why dangers of drug abuse are manifold. Diseases are hazardous companions of drugs; crimes and criminals have a sweet tooth for them.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is like a UN watchdog that keeps a tab on international drug addiction. Making healthy choices, and valuing oneself, go a long way in keeping mind at bay, and these were indeed the themes of the UN in the past on IDADAIT.
Cannabis, cocaine and heroin sell like ‘hot-cakes’ in many countries because of their easy access, and slack laws. Unfortunately, the medicinal and recreational ‘benefits’ of cannabis have outweighed harmful and disastrous consequences of its intake.
A strong bond between parents and children can alleviate the latter’s tendency to go astray.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Selaulim Dam entry fee hike unwarranted
There has reportedly been a 100 per cent increase in the entry fee to the Botanical Garden at the Selaulim Dam, which has taken visitors by surprise.
It is learnt that the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC), which maintains the garden, had initially affixed an entry fee at Rs 20 per person, while children below five years were charged Rs 10. The fee for adults was hiked to Rs 30, some two years ago. However, of late it is learnt that the entry fee has been increased by 100 per cent.
While an adult is now charged Rs 60, children need to pay Rs 20 to gain entry to the Selaulim Dam and Botanical Garden. This hike in the entry fee is unwarranted.
On the contrary, according to visitors and locals, there has been no increase in services or facilities at the Botanical Garden. Imagine a bus load of school children on an excursion to the Selaulim Dam and Botanical Garden having to pay the requisite fees. This is not the proper way for the government to imbibe the love for nature among children.
A fee of Rs 20 for a child below the age of five seems absurd. Does this mean that even infants will be charged entry fees? The expenses for maintenance of the garden should be borne by the government and children should gain excess to the garden free of cost.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Unemployment a matter of concern
A number of youth remained unemployed and many of them travelled outside the country in the search of employment.
Goa’s unemployment rate remains the second highest in the country. The government has made several promises of employment to the youth, but the fact remains that Goan youth are still unemployed. Goa needs to promote the service industry over the manufacturing sector.
Unemployment and price rise in Goa are matters of concern and the State requires a recovery plan to emerge from this.
If the government cannot provide employment to the youth, then it should provide employment via social security schemes to help them support their families.
Our government is too busy trying to stay in power, while the opposition is too busy trying to topple it. So no one has time to bring awareness or do anything about the impending circumstances.
The youth believe that education opens doors that would otherwise remain closed, those with education and certainly those with college degrees, have relatively high expectations about their employment prospects.
K G Vilop, Chorao
