LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Fatal accidents

Early Monday morning, a woman, aged 23, died in a road accident when a high-end car collided with the two-wheeler she was riding pillion at Dona Paula. The accident also resulted in the rider sustaining severe injuries. It is a common practice among some drivers to ride cars or bikes at high speed during late night hours and early morning with a mindset that no traffic exists on roads during these hours. Apart from keeping a check on over-speeding, it is also important for the traffic police personnel to monitor vehicles for drunk driving, as many fatal accidents that occur on the state roads are a result of alcohol consumption by the drivers who return from late night parties. It is the responsibility of a vehicle driver to take care and avoid rash and negligent driving. It is high time the government installed CCTV cameras on all roads to capture footage and keep a check on the vehicles.

Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco

Publicity stunt

The first digital Census exercise began in Goa on April 1 with the self-enumeration phase under way; it will go on till April 15. During this phase, residents need to submit their details on a dedicated portal so as to minimise errors, help in achieving data transparency and save time when the enumerators would visit each house from April 16 to May 15 (NT April 1). This is a good step. The first day was like a self-promotion exercise, with several politicians posting their pictures of filling the form or declaring that they had done so. Was there a need for this ‘publicity stunt’? This is similar to a polling day when politicians and celebrities show their inked fingers to prove that they have voted. Citizens would be awed if these people posted pictures while filling their income tax forms.

Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem

Firm message

That courts, of late, are sending strong messages to the stakeholders on custodial deaths bodes well for the society. The Madurai Sessions Court has convicted nine policemen, including one inspector and two sub-inspectors, arrested for brutally torturing the Sattankulam father- son duo of Jayaraj and Benicks to death in police custody in 2020. The court has sentenced all of them to death. It was a typical case of “fence eating the crop”, additional sessions judge G Muthukumaran said. But for the constant monitoring of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, the case could have turned topsy-turvy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) undertook the investigation under the watchful eyes of the High Court. Court directions are flagrantly flouted despite the unambiguous guidelines laid down in 1996 by the Supreme Court in the D K Basu vs State of Bengal case. About 2,739 custodial deaths were reported in 2024-25. The poor have little ammunition to protest in custodial tortures.

Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

Timing dilemma

The recent implementation of revised school timings under the National Education Policy (NEP) has reportedly raised significant concerns among parents in Margao. The new schedule, which mandates school closure at 11:30 am, has created logistical and safety challenges, particularly for working families. For many parents, the early closure clashes directly with working hours, forcing difficult choices. Some parents are compelled to leave their workplaces midway to pick up their children, while others must rely on extended family or paid help, increasing both stress and financial burden. This issue is not restricted only to Margao but is faced by parents across the state. Traditionally, April has been considered a vacation period for schoolchildren, making this sudden adjustment even more disruptive. Another vital aspect is that the timing of school closure also coincides with the mid-afternoon peak temperature of the hot summer season. Although daytime temperatures may hover around 30 degrees Celsius, the heat index often makes it feel closer to 39 degrees Celsius. Students walking home or travelling in school buses during this period are at risk of dehydration and heat-related stress, creating a potential health hazard. While the NEP’s revised timings aim to modernise schooling, it is equally important to consider the practical realities of local communities. Schools could offer optional mid-day care programmes for children whose parents are at work. If possible, school buses should be air-conditioned and have drinking water facilities in order to ensure student safety during the hottest hours of the day. By adopting flexible, community-focused measures, schools can ensure that the NEP’s benefits are realised without compromising the well-being of children and parents.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco