Give new lease of
life to mortuaries
The recent crisis at the South Goa District Hospital, where its mortuary reached full capacity due to an impasse between the civic body and cremation services over unpaid dues, highlights a grave issue in the handling of public health and municipal responsibilities. With 62 out of 72 cabinets in the mortuary reportedly occupied as of March 30, and with a backlog of dead bodies, some of which awaiting cremation for over two months, it raises several urgent questions. Unclaimed bodies often result from lack of identification, family abandonment, or financial inability to carry out proper funeral rites. The civic body’s agreement to dispose of 20 unclaimed bodies preserved for over two months is a step in the right direction, but such incidents should be avoided in future. A sustainable solution requires cooperation across government bodies, healthcare institutions, and social services. Given the population growth and increasing demands on public health systems, mortuaries should be equipped to handle surges in capacity. The dead deserve to rest in peace, free from the complications and delays imposed by administrative inefficiencies or financial mismanagement.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Litmus test for the elderly
Senior citizens in Goa are being encouraged to complete HP Gas eKYC at home using the HP Pay app with Aadhaar-based face authentication. While this digital process is convenient in theory, it is impractical for many elderly citizens. A large number of seniors do not have Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers, smartphones, or the technical knowledge required to install and use apps such as HP Pay and Aadhaar Face RD. Many are also ill or physically unable to manage such procedures independently. In such cases, the only viable solution is for gas agency personnel to visit homes and complete the face authentication process on behalf of the senior citizen. This should be done with the Aadhaar card readily available. Ensuring doorstep verification will also enable uninterrupted home delivery of gas cylinders. It is essential that all senior citizens are provided this support without difficulty. Authorities and distributors must prioritise this need and implement a reliable home service system.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Scourge of autism
Also termed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), speech and non-verbal interaction are seriously hampered compelling the affected to go through a repetitive behaviour in autism. Diagnosable as early as one year, proper scientific intervention can mitigate the developmental problems. The wide spectrum of autism also means an individual can live with the two extremes – seriously challenged or perfectly normal. There are specific milestones in a child’s developmental curve, and parents should know what to expect of their little ones: “what” and “when” are two crucial words. Professionals have relied mainly on behavioural therapy and language therapy to corner the disorder. Correcting accompanying deficiencies and psychological disorders go hand-in-hand. Improving the child’s quality of life through his/her transition into adulthood will be on focus on April 2, the Autism Awareness Day.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Rupee’s free fall
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has claimed that the Indian rupee remains “absolutely fine” due to strong economic fundamentals. This statement is misleading: while some Asian currencies like the South Korean won, Thai baht, and Philippine peso have weakened, the rupee itself fell sharply by nearly 11 per cent in financial year 2026—its worst performance in 14 years. The rupee has also crossed the 95-per-dollar mark; it would have weakened further without intervention by the Reserve Bank of India. The current economic stability exists despite policy missteps by the Finance Ministry and RBI. It is pertinent to note that India’s currency remained stable during the Asian financial crisis of 1997 due to effective leadership at the time.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Indomitable Iranians
As the Iran war continues to rage, it appears that US President Donald Trump never cared to know about Iranians. He never cared to learn that the martyrdom of Imam Husain, and its remembrance every year on Ashura, has instilled in all Iranians the spirit of preferring an honourable death to surrender before a tyrant. One simply cannot vanquish people who are not afraid to die. Trump has bitten off more than he can chew as is obvious in his utterances to withdraw from the conflict. He has also asked his erstwhile NATO allies that he won’t be able to help them any longer and that they should go take oil from the Strait of Hormuz; if that is not an admission of defeat then I don’t know what is.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Bengal’s woes
The Centre and BJP leadership are targeting West Bengal while ignoring serious issues affecting Bengalis in other states. Instead of addressing concerns such as pending financial dues, harassment, and incidents of violence against Bengalis, a lengthy ‘chargesheet’ has been released against the state government. I condemn insensitive remarks made about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s injuries. I also would like to highlights alleged injustices linked to the SIR exercise; many genuine citizens in West Bengal are being unfairly excluded or placed under suspicion based on weak reasoning, causing distress and hardship. This reflects a larger political agenda driven by the Centre, rather than administrative necessity. Hence there should be transparency, accountability, and factual clarity instead of rhetoric. I urge authorities to address real grievances and stop misleading narratives that undermine public trust and democratic values.
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
