Paper leak
Every year, National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET (UG) for medical aspirants across the country. This year was no exception, with lakhs of students appearing for the exam on May 3, 2026, including over 4,000 candidates from Goa. However, the integrity of the examination was severely compromised when it was discovered that the question paper had been leaked on social media. This breach forced the NTA to cancel the test on May 12, leaving the futures of lakhs of hard-working students hanging in the balance. While a re-test has now been scheduled, the decision inflicts immense psychological and emotional pressure on candidates who have already spent the entire year preparing relentlessly. Families invest exorbitant amounts of money into specialised coaching fees, and for many students, this is a multi-year journey of perseverance to finally secure admission into their desired medical courses. Although rescheduling the exam is a necessary administrative fix, it cannot compensate for the immense time, energy and mental peace that students have effectively seen go in vain. What makes this situation particularly frustrating is that it is not an isolated incident; despite facing similar paper leak controversies last year, the NTA has seemingly failed to learn its lesson or fortify its security protocols.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
On the right track
The Asiatic lion population has steadily risen in Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary and the adjoining forests to 891 from 284 in 1991 and 523 in 2015. This can be attributed to effective conservation and management steps. Scale grassland rejuvenation, wildlife tracking and strengthening prey base for the lions have clicked in Barda. Modern techniques like Global Positioning System (GPS), geo-reference and videography are proven lion trackers. ‘Direct sighting’ method to count the lions has been widely hailed. Preservation of lion habitat and corridors, control of sand mining and limiting train speeds, too, have obviously helped. All these are a much- needed shot in the arm for lion conservation efforts. India’s 2023 initiative to help seven global big cats flourish through International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is laudable. Centre’s Rs 2,000-crore Project Lion, that was given a green signal in 2000, seems to be on the right track.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Sinner’s success
“Don’t forget who you are or where you came from” are the words tennis star Jannik Sinner’s mother always drilled into him before important matches. While the world only sees Sinner’s cold, precise shots, his fierce baseline game, incredible composure and his iron determination on the court, few know that behind the Italian world number one lies a simple but powerful advice from his near and dear ones. After his latest championship win at the Italian Open in Rome that sent the tennis world into raptures, many of his family members recalled old childhood stories about Sinner, and how his parents always taught him to stay grounded and not let pressure or the spotlight of fame change him. It is perhaps this very simplicity, humility and equanimity that helped Sinner overcome the toughest moments on court, remain calm under extreme pressure and gradually become one of the most formidable stars in today’s world of sport. There is a lot we can learn from him.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Parsi population
Parsis, who arrived in India between the 8th and the 10th centuries to escape persecution after the Arab-Islamic invasion of their land, have been an inseparable part of the country’s pluralistic cultural ethos. The community’s contribution to India’s industrial, economic and philanthropic development has been immense. However, the rapidly declining population over the decades has pushed Parsis into an existential crisis. Parsis are mainly concentrated in Mumbai, where their population is estimated to be 40,000- 45,000. The total fertility rate (TFR) in the Parsi community is only about 0.8 children per woman compared with the national average of 2.3. An average fertility of about 2.1 is needed for population to remain stable, below which the population begins to shrink. Currently, over half of the Parsis are over 40, a third of all Parsis are over 60, more than 30% of the community never marries and most couples are either without children or have just one child. For every four Parsi deaths, there is just one birth – no wonder the community is facing the prospects of extinction. Note that the average age of marriage for Parsi women is around 29-30 and for men it is 35. The Parsi community has the highest presence of bachelors and spinsters in any faith of the world. A report, released at a recent conference organised by the National Commission on Minorities, has warned that if the present demographic trend continues, the Parsi population in India could decline to fewer than 10,000 by 2101. The last Census in 2011 counted 57,264 Parsis, just about half the population in 1941. The rate of demographic decline of the community, 18% drop per decade, has been alarming.
Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar
