India’s defence, women power to the fore
It was a moment of pride to read about the achievements of the Indian Air Force and the Army for successfully targeting, precisely hitting, and neutralizing nine terror hubs existing in their neighborhood. ‘Operation Sindoor’ was in retaliation for the killing of 26 people by terrorists on April 22 at Pahalgam (Kashmir). The official briefings about the events that occurred in the early hours of May 7 (Wednesday) were presented by two women defense officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. With the names of the operation and the officers, we have snubbed our neighboring country that has covertly and overtly supported terrorists for decades. The press conference has shamed our failed neighbor and rubbed salt in the wounds of the terrorists inflicted by the Indian defense units. Forget about executing their diabolic and cowardly acts; henceforth, the terrorists and their supporters should think several times before planning an attack on Indian soil. If the retributions were carried out by India’s women defense personnel, then boxes of sindoor (vermillion) and bangles should be air-dropped for use by the terrorists!
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Goans need not panic
India reportedly thwarted a fresh Pakistani bid to strike military sites in Jammu and Pathankot. Several such attempts have been foiled by the Indian air defense. Attacks are becoming more frequent with every passing hour. Tensions have soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider conflict. Goa may not be directly impacted by the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan, but the ripple effect of the ongoing conflict may be felt in the state in the days to come. This could manifest in the form of rising prices of essential commodities and food items. Several unscrupulous traders could engage in hoarding to increase the prices of essential commodities, vegetables, fruits, etc., blaming it on the ongoing conflict between the two countries. These traders could falsely spread news that essential commodities are not arriving in the state. Citizens could also engage in panic buying and stockpiling food items to prepare for the possible price rise. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, has urged citizens to remain calm and avoid panic buying amid false rumors of a shortage of essential goods following Operation Sindoor. While we in Goa may not have felt the impact of the war thus far, the Goa government must ensure that there is no shortage of food items in the coming days and take action against those traders who engage in hoarding.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Eschew fake news
Even as tensions between India and Pakistan remain high and retaliatory hostilities continue, a great deal of fake stories and news about it are circulating on social media and some news channels. Warmongers and those who celebrate the conflict and the fight between the two countries create stories and videos at their whims and fancies and share them at will on social media. Similarly, some news channels also disseminate misinformation about the conflict. They even go to the extent of telecasting videos taken from other warfronts, thereby misleading people. Those who indulge in passing on such misinformation must understand the gravity of their actions. A country at war with another has to take into account many factors before engaging in a fight. India is not fighting against Pakistan for people’s entertainment and excitement but to seek justice. The Indian government has issued an advisory urging people to avoid sharing unverified information and to rely on official sources for authentic news. People must refrain from spreading misinformation and stand united at a time when the country is facing a crisis.
Venu G S, Kollam
Act against bus overcrowding
On Thursday evening, a bus travelling from Verna to Vasco overturned, killing its conductor and injuring many passengers onboard. The incident occurred in the evening when the bus, which had reached Queeny Nagar, lost control and fell on its side, causing grievous injuries to passengers who were shifted to a hospital in Chicalim. The conductor lost his life because the door was open, and the bus was overloaded. The cause of the accident is that the bus is old and was carrying more than its registered capacity, including seating and standing capacity. Additionally, the driver was operating the bus recklessly, overtaking other buses to pick up more passengers. Buses on this route are limited, and many workers from Verna industries, including daily wage earners, board these buses because of the low frequency on this route. Most commuters try to board a bus, overcrowding it, as some buses charge a lower fare than the normal rate. There should be routine checks on passenger buses on this route. Accidents are unfortunate but they can be avoided if proper care is taken and rules are followed. Old buses should be scrapped, and subsidies should be provided to replace them. Only strict measures can save lives on the road.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
