Stray dog menace
In yet another case of dog-bite, a Russian tourist was recently chased and bitten by strays on Mobor beach (NT January 7). In December 2024, three senior citizens, including two foreigners, one each from Russia and the United Kingdom, were bitten by dogs on the Mobor and Benaulim beaches. Prior to this, several more of such incidents were reported over the months along other beaches and on roads. After every occurrence, we get to hear a sound byte from authorities that the strays would be caught, sterilised, given for adoption etc, but finally nothing happens. Dog-lovers blame the non-lovers for needling the strays, but who in their right mind will do that? The latter accuse the dog-lovers of feeding the strays in public places and going away happy with their good deed. The courts have stated that the strays would be the feeders’ responsibility, but this is not feasible. Last year, Corporation of the City of Panaji was giving a relook to its plan of setting up modern shelters; this was proposed in 2011. In the last monsoon assembly session, a policy for stray dogs was supposed to be formulated. Reportedly, such a policy was notified on July 6, 2023 itself (NT July 19, 2024)! Hope the stray dog policy of 2023/2024 does not remain a stray thought for the authorities. Tourism is getting a bad name for several reasons and also because of media influencers. Let not stray dogs and cattle (on the beaches and roads) be another cause for the tourists to skip Goa from their itinerary.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Act against child deserters
Cases of child abandonment 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 progeny, born of wedlock or otherwise, is a heinous crime does not need to be overstated. Poverty, physical or mental disability of child or one or both the parents drive people to ditch their children. No amount of education or awareness seems to help the cause of small children. There is no reason to elaborate on more female infants being subjected to this phenomenon. In India, seven 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 infants below 12 months are the 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 the people who remain mute spectators to child abandonment.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Redress grievances
The state government has reportedly made operational a dedicated WhatsApp number and a group to address the concerns of the residents affected by construction of the elevated road in Porvorim on the National Highway 66. This was in response to the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by residents of Porvorim on the traffic congestion caused due to the ongoing work on the elevated corridor project and the issue of blocked sewage and drainage systems. The PIL had reportedly sought that the state government conduct a comprehensive audit of road infrastructure and address the safety deficiencies. It is learnt that the initiative aimed at addressing grievances has turned into a logistical nightmare for the Public Works Department (PWD). The helpline has been inundated with calls and messages, creating more problems than solutions. Be that as it may, residents of Panaji and those visiting the city had to go through untold misery due to the Smart City works for several months as a result of traffic congestion, dust pollution, lack of signage, safety concerns etc. The road digging is still continuing. Why was a dedicated helpline and WhatsApp group not made operational to address the concerns of the city residents? The Smart City works have turned the capital city into a motorists’ nightmare and has led to multiple accidents and even deaths. Now it is learnt that the Smart City officials have pushed the completion deadline to May 2025. Is filing a PIL absolutely necessary for the authorities to take note of the inconvenience people in the capital city are going through?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
