Goa’s pink taxi vision unveiled
The Goa government’s reported plan to introduce a Pink Taxi service, following the successful launch of Pink Auto Rickshaws driven exclusively by women, marks another significant step towards women’s empowerment, economic independence, financial security, confidence that comes from running their own business and contributing towards state economy. By enabling women to acquire loans to purchase taxis and operate them professionally, the initiative has the potential to transform lives, create employment opportunities, and enhance women’s participation in Goa’s transport sector. The introduction of women-driven taxis can challenge traditional gender roles and demonstrate that women are equally capable of succeeding in professions that were once considered male domains. Access to loans can help women become entrepreneurs rather than employees. Women-driven taxis can become a unique feature of Goa’s tourism infrastructure, enhancing the state’s image as a safe and progressive destination. However, while the initiative is commendable, certain challenges must be addressed to ensure its long-term success. Taxi services often operate late at night and in isolated areas. Women drivers may face risks such as harassment, unruly passengers, or other security threats. To address these concerns, taxis should be equipped with GPS tracking systems, emergency panic buttons, and real-time monitoring facilities. Strong coordination between taxi operators and law enforcement agencies will be essential. Women entering the profession should receive comprehensive training in driving, road safety, customer service, vehicle maintenance, digital payment systems, and self-defense techniques. Such training will boost confidence and improve service quality. The success of Goa’s Pink Taxi service will ultimately depend on how effectively these challenges are addressed alongside the opportunities it promises.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
CBSE under scrutiny
After the NEET paper leak, the CBSE board is now under scrutiny. The leak affected the future of lakhs of students in India, and now secondary school students are being affected by board results. The CBSE decided to go digital in the evaluation of answer sheets but failed in its exercise as it mismatched answer sheets with those scanned on the portal. The decision to digitise was taken in December 2025, and in February 2026 many evaluators and teachers raised objections to the steps taken and informed the Centre about portal connectivity and its implementation issues at that time. The Centre went ahead with COE-MPT to carry out the digital assessment and ultimately it failed in its delivery. Thousands of students applied for re-evaluation with the required fees and found their answer papers not matching those scanned on the portal. This has led to lower scores and affected their future careers. Though the Prime Minister has taken strict action to remove those involved in the whole exercise and ordered a detailed enquiry into the issue. The future of students lies in the hands of teachers and evaluators, and now also in the tools used in the digital world to make it easier, but it has placed students in darkness regarding their careers. Normal and physical evaluation of answer sheets is the only option.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
CJP mobilises support
It is reported that Abhijeet Dipke, founder of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is returning to India from the US on June 6 and has advised his supporters to meet him at Delhi airport. From the airport, he plans to walk to Parliament Street police station to formally seek permission for a demonstration ending at Jantar Mantar, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination failures. Abhijeet has also expressed concern about his imminent arrest as soon as he lands in Delhi for questioning the ruling dispensation over its commissions and omissions. However, he appears determined to return to India as planned. There is no doubt that, right from the day of its inception, CJP has received unprecedented support from the people of the country, particularly the youth who are extremely frustrated and disappointed with the policies and conduct of the Central Government. As unemployed youth and people unable to cope with high inflation prevailing in the country, and most of the poor and downtrodden unable to provide even a square meal a day to their families, have started looking at CJP as their main hope and its founder Abhijeet as their saviour, any wrong move by the government against him or CJP might boomerang and lead to unpleasant escalation. Under the circumstances, the BJP government should act with restraint, call CJP for discussions, listen to their demands and implement them if found reasonable, which will help diffuse the tense situation now prevailing in the country.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
World Cycling Day
Cycling in India can be a challenge, with unruly traffic, pot-holed roads, and no lanes for bicyclists. Yet, the community is growing, with some using it as a fitness tool, a few to commute, and some as an adventure sport. Specialist biking stores have opened up, there are niche races, and better cycling gear. All they ask is that you join the club, helmet firmly in place and if you wear arm and leg gears its well and good as an additional protection from an impending danger. Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels. Research also shows that people who cycle to work have two to three times less exposure to pollution than car commuters, so their lung function is improved. A Danish study conducted over 14 years with 30,000 people aged 20 to 93 years found that regular cycling protected people from heart disease. Cycling as a family is a fun way to spend your free time, and a great bonding experience. You will enjoy the excitement of discovering new routes together and the shared sense of achievement as your fitness improves and you become more confident, experienced cyclists. And there lies the cycling success. More dedicated cycling tracks in cities may encourage people to go cycling when petrol prices are high. Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity, which means that your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. Cycling will help to breathe deeper, perspire and experience increased body temperature, which will improve the overall fitness level. The health benefits of regular cycling include: good blood circulation, high stamina and decreased body fat levels. To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active.
C K Subramaniam, Mumbai
