Traffic woes
Porvorim, of late, has become a hell-hole of a place due to the ongoing work of the elevated flyover on the National Highway -66 and traffic diversions, which have resulted in endless bumper-to-bumper traffic jams on the CHOGM road, B B Borkar Road and the Defence Colony roads. Driving to Panaji or Mapusa has now become nightmarish and it is expected to get worse during the festival season, extending up to December-January. In such a challenging situation, it would be worthwhile trying out the vehicular odd-even pattern during this period, which allows vehicles with registration number plates ending with an odd number to ply only on odd days, and those with even number to ply on even dates. This has proved successful not only in Delhi but also in some foreign countries.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Miramar promenade
The Miramar promenade, built at a considerable cost by the Goa government, is a world-class tourist infrastructure, which is turning out to be a gem of Panaji city. It attracts local residents and tourists, both domestic and foreign, besides many senior citizens, who visit the site to enjoy the salubrious climate and the natural beauty of its surroundings. However, it is being ruined by the apathetic and indifferent behaviour of some citizens, lacking in civic sense, who are utilising the promenade as a pathway for their dogs to defecate. The result is that the promenade is littered with dog excreta right from the entrance at Miramar up to the Panaji ferry point. Citizens using the promenade for walks have to navigate carefully through the dirt dropped by the dogs, who are accompanied by their owners. We appeal that signboards be installed at suitable locations along the promenade prohibiting walking of dogs and instructing that owners will be liable to clean up the dirt and pay penalty. Also, there are too many stray dogs that pose a danger to those using the promenade. Authorities may please requisition the services of a dog squad to tackle this menace. The other point is the lack of toilet facilities for the entire stretch of the promenade. This may be looked into, as many tourists and senior citizens may be in need of such a public facility. Lastly, in order to curb anti-social activities, security monitoring of the promenade by way of cameras may be considered. These small measures will go a long way both, in enhancing the lure of the place and the joy of its users.
Alvito D’Souza, Panaji
Cases of kidnapping
An attempt to kidnap a 12-year-old boy from Amona-Sankhali on Thursday was reportedly foiled by the quick and alert action of the boy himself. Verna police recently reportedly launched a probe after a minor girl from Birla Zuarinagar went missing prompting a case of suspected kidnapping against unknown persons. It needs to be noted that in Goa, kidnapping and abduction cases, particularly involving minor girls, have been on the rise over the past few years. Government data for 2024 reportedly shows a total of 91 kidnapping and abduction cases with 14% of them remaining undetected. The reasons for kidnapping and abduction vary depending on whether the perpetrator is a family member or a stranger. In most detected cases, the perpetrators were either neighbours or acquaintances of the victims. Some officials attribute the increase in crimes against children to social media platforms which pose threats to adolescents. The rise in crimes against children is reportedly attributed to a systemic failure to adequately address their vulnerability. Family abduction is probably the most common form of child kidnapping, most often occurring when parents are separated or divorced. Kidnapping for exploitation is also a major issue. Traffickers prey on vulnerable children for various forms of illegal labour and abuse. Kidnappers may take a child from a wealthy family with the intention of demanding a large sum of money for their safe return. Increased police vigilance and awareness is essential to prevent such incidents. While the detection rate may be high, the conviction figures in such cases remain low, which is a cause for concern. Cases of kidnapping and abduction of minors need to be treated with all seriousness.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Right move
After Bihar, Kerala and Odisha, the Karnataka government has now decided to allot menstrual leaves to working women. Karnataka’s ‘Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025’ appears exhaustive, as it covers the government as well as the private sectors, barring the unorganised sector. One menstrual leave per month to a total of 12 paid leaves per year is what the government has decided. Notwithstanding some cynical views, the step is pro-women and progressive. Reluctant and shy women can easily come forward to demand a day’s leave as a right without having to think twice to pen the reasons for seeking the facility. Since menstrual pain is indeed excruciating, the overall wellness of working women and quality of work across the board stand to gain. Of course, it is important that there is no misuse of the government policy.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
