Curious case of
potholes in Goa
Recently the Road Transport Ministry provided to the Lok Sabha the details of potholes-related injuries and deaths in India. The five-year data (2020 to 2024) showed that potholes claimed 9,438 lives i.e., five cases per day. The maximum cases were from Uttar Pradesh (5,127) followed by Madhya Pradesh (969), Tamil Nadu (612), Odisha (425), Punjab (414), Assam (395) and among the UTs Delhi (50). Data for 2025 is unpublished. In contrast, 803 people were killed due to terrorism and 3,597 because of potholes, in 2017. Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura recorded deaths and injuries because of potholes but half of the other Indian states reported zero fatalities. These include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh and surprise Goa! In the past two years, senior politicians were shouting hoarse that all the potholes in Goa will be fixed in one month and then they reduced it to 15 days and it was always after monsoon and before Ganesh Chaturthi. Either the Road Ministry’s report has erred about no casualties due to potholes in Goa or the presence of potholes and the resultant fatalities have been glossed over (conveniently covered) by Goa. Why did not Goa’s authorities admit the truth about the presence of craters and potholes?
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Dangling job carrot
Whenever the state government unveils a new mega project, a familiar promise that is made is of providing jobs for Goans. In a small state like Goa, where concerns about land use, environmental degradation, and cultural change run deep, the assurance of jobs often plays the role of ‘dangling a carrot’ to the public. However, the question that arises is whether these mega projects actually deliver meaningful employment for the locals. The nature of the jobs also matters. A classic example is Manohar international airport at Mopa. There is a widespread perception that a significant portion of the workforce, especially in technical, managerial, and specialised roles, has been recruited from outside Goa and Goans have largely been absorbed into lower-paying or contractual roles such as housekeeping, security, drivers, and maintenance staff when Goan youth are increasingly well educated. Unlike some other states that have attempted local reservation policies in the private sector, Goa does not have a framework mandating a defined percentage of local employment.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Deafening silence
The recently revealed Epstein Files have led to resignations and scrutiny of global leaders, business figures, and public personalities linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. Disturbingly, India’s Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri—alleged to have met Epstein 14 times and exchanged 62 emails between 2014 and 2017—remains in office without consequence. Reports suggest that other Indian names, including politicians and businessmen such as Anil Ambani, also appear in the files. Yet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken action against Puri, despite the seriousness of these allegations. This silence raises troubling questions about accountability and integrity in governance. If the government fails to act, the shadow of Epstein’s scandal could tarnish its credibility. It is imperative that Modi addresses these charges decisively to uphold public trust.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Pitch for neocolonialism
In his speech at the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a pro-colonial speech, calling on European allies to cast off what he described as “guilt and shame” over their “culture and heritage”, urging them to help the US “revive the West’s age of dominance”. The remarks were met with a standing ovation from European leaders. This rhetoric reveals what lies beneath the surface of the so-called ‘civilisation’ that prides itself on moral leadership. It is a civilisation that amassed wealth and power through colonialism, imperial expansion, resource extraction, gross human rights violation, and the overthrow of legitimate governments. In this worldview, those who advocate for a multipolar world, genuine partnership, and indivisible security are portrayed as adversaries – uncivilised, threatening, or merely competitors to be contained.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Plight of Imran Khan
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former cricketer and politician, is currently imprisoned following trial proceedings. Reports indicate that his health is being neglected in Rawalpindi jail, with one eye severely damaged due to lack of proper medical care. In response, several former international cricket captains—including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Clive Lloyd—have written to Pakistan’s ministry expressing concern over Khan’s condition. Their solidarity highlights the respect he commands. It is deeply troubling that such a distinguished figure is denied adequate treatment. While Khan later entered politics, his contributions to cricket and his character as a human being remain undeniable. The support shown by his peers is commendable, and it is hoped that Pakistan’s authorities will act responsibly by ensuring he receives proper medical attention.
Raju Rammurthy, Vasco
