India needs to remain on constant guard
This refers to “Kargil@25: India’s security policy needs overhaul” (July 26). The Kargil war broke out after the Lahore Declaration in May 1999 where Pakistani troops and militants infiltrated across the LoC in the Kargil districts. The infiltration which was masterminded by General Pervez Musharraf, was seen as a breach of the trust and spirit of the Lahore Declaration.
Despite immense odds, such as a political directive not to cross the LoC, India’s Army and Air Force mounted a campaign that resulted in the eviction of Pakistani regular troops disguised as militants. Indian soldiers managed to take back one height after the other, suffering immense casualties, as the Air Force targeted the enemy’s logistics facilities and hilltop fortifications.
Our brave soldiers defend the nation from external aggression and internal threats and also maintain peace and security with its borders. Therefore they deserve better treatment and facilities like job security, better healthcare and life-long pension.
Despite the current focus on the threat from China, India’s military will have to remain on guard to prevent any more misadventures by Pakistan’s security establishment.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Prevent damage to Ravindra Bhavan
Kala Academy which was once celebrated as India’s premiere cultural institute has suffered multiple setbacks right from sound system, to air-conditioning and lighting being in bad shape. From leaking roofs to the collapse of the entire slab of the open auditorium last year, the symbol of Goa’s rich cultural heritage has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. And now all is not well at the Ravindra Bhavan in Margao.
Expressing concern over water leakage at this cultural center in South Goa, tiatrists have sought the immediate intervention of Directorate of Art and Culture to solve the issue at the earliest. It is learnt that there is leakage of water on the first floor and on the ground floor in front of the Pai Tiatrist Hall.
A video doing the rounds on Social Media shows the staff collecting water from the floor in buckets. Thousands of tiatr lovers from South Goa attend the shows staged at this cultural center which incidentally was closed for a considerable period of time for renovation work. The Ravindra Bhavan at Baina was closed for several months due to the non-functioning central air-conditioner. Necessary action needs to be taken on a war-footing to prevent damage to the Kala Bhavan at Margao due to water leakage.
It is pertinent to note that the Kala Bhavan at Sancoale is non-functional and a portion of Kala Bhavan has reportedly been given to the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER).
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Informative article on defections
This has reference to the article ‘Defections are illegal, when can voters smile?’ by Blaise Costabir (O Heraldo, July 26).
That was an interesting, informative article on the subject of Defections by our backstabbing political opportunists. Rightly stated, Goa and Maharashtra exemplify the blatant disregard to the electorate’s voice.
It is in fact disgusting to see elected representatives switching allegiance from the party they got elected from, to another party in their hunger for power. The mandate given by the electorate has been thrown out of the window, to the winds. The defection of sections of two political parties in Maharashtra was especially disturbing, claiming to be the original party. The issue of claim and control over the party as one can understand, should be an internal matter and should be settled within the party.
The title of your article rightly states, ‘defections are illegal, when can voters smile?’ The anti defection law seems to be meaningless in the face of such defections. Ideally, if an elected representative wishes to change parties he should resign his seat and get elected from another party of his choice. At the end of the day, it is the Electorate that feels cheated, backstabbed, abandoned. Morality, ethics in politics - what is that?
Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai
Cops must keep an eye on rental vehicles
Goa's roads have become a hotspot for reckless driving by rent-a-bike and rent-a-car vehicles, posing a significant threat to the lives of both locals and tourists. The risk is further exacerbated by heavy monsoon rainfall and falling trees, resulting in frequent accidents and near-misses, that make travel in Goa a perilous experience.
Perhaps it is the lackadaisical attitude of authorities, who allow lapses to fly under the radar in the name of 'tourism', that aggravates the issue. However, the time for leniency is over; now, only tough action can prevent further loss of lives on Goa's roads.
To address this issue, authorities must implement a more rigorous process for document collection, undertaking signing, and rental service availing. They should also boost police patrols and checkpoints to enhance surveillance especially in peak tourism season, impose substantial fines and license revocation for repeat offenders, especially in cases involving driving under the influence or unregistered vehicles, and hold rent-a-bike and rent-a-car operators accountable for their customers' actions also.
By taking these actions, we can take a step closer to ensuring a safer Goa for its citizens and for our valued tourists.
Janis Nelcy Dias, Carmona
Budget presented in partisan manner
In the history of Free India, no other Finance Minister has ever dared to present a budget so very blatantly politicised to keep the ruling dispensation remain in power, as the one presented on Tuesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman.
The allocation of funds in thousands of crores to Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at the cost of other states, particularly Tamil Nadu speaks in volumes and in high decibels the partisan manner in which the budget allocations have been structured to keep Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar in good humour with whose support only the minority BJP government at the centre survives, lest they pull down the BJP government.
All these years, we have only witnessed the BJP allegedly purchasing the elected members of the opposition parties to topple the non - BJP ruled governments and form their own governments in those states but this time, they have proved that they are also capable of doing the same for their survival, through the national Budget itself!
God save the country!
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Conservation of nature is vital
Nature is an infinite sphere where the centre is everywhere, and the circumference is nowhere. Its importance to mankind's health and prosperity cannot be overstressed because nature is one thing every individual on the earth has to share with others. Maintaining a fine balance between usage and wastage is crucial to fight natural calamities.
A study has shown that the pressure exerted on the planet has doubled in the last fifty years while the rich natural resources have declined by more than thirty per cent. Conservation of nature is vital because many scientists have warned of mass extinctions. Water and energy, paper and fuel have to be prudently used.
These days, awareness on the hazards of using plastic bags has percolated through the society but more needs to be done. Conservation of ecotourism is paramount to sustain the nature. People are paying a heavy price for the increase in urbanisation. Proliferation of skyscrapers have resulted in destruction of green cover.
The consequence of industrialisation is air pollution and its crippling effects. Wetland conservation is too vital to be ignored, and it is heartening that the Indian government is doing its best to promote new wetland areas across the country. This year's Nature Conservation Day on July 28th will focus on international cooperation and policy reforms to enhance environmental protection.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola