LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Double standards

Data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that 91% buses of Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) lack facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Of the 515 buses in operation, 470 do not have wheelchair-accessible ramps; 399 do not have audio announcements and do not display screens to inform passengers about the bus stops; 48 have both the systems and 68 buses have no screens (NT June 15). These facilities are important for those with visual and/or mobility issues. Hopefully, these shortcomings would be addressed by KTCL. Incidentally, most citizens ask the government ‘uncomfortable’ questions on whether its offices and buildings have clean washrooms, drinking water, working elevators, accessibility to PwD, provision for rainwater harvesting, working fire hydrants and extinguishers, smoke detectors and many more facilities and safety measures for the employees and visitors. Agreed that the government has a duty to make the citizens’ life a little comfortable and also implement environmental and energy/water saving measures, but should not similar questions be asked of corporate offices, banks and other private workplaces where one pays through the nose for services? Here too we may come across arrogant and non-helpful employees but most of us do not create much fuss. But in government offices citizens tend to take to task the employees and tell them that they are “government servants and need to serve the people!” Citizens sing a different tune at different service providers.      

Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem

Combating desertification

An estimated 20 billion tonnes of fertile top soil vanish every year. Conserving this topsoil and preventing it from blowing away is critical to stopping land from going dry. Land degradation, improper agricultural practices, deforestation, natural resource exploitation, mining and wildfires are other key factors driving desertification. Stakeholders hope against hope that global efforts will bring about ‘oasification’ or the ‘desert greening’ of barren land, especially since offshoots like food insecurity and zoonotic diseases directly affect human beings. Moving forward, the ways ahead include innovation in water harvesting systems, tree planting, organic farming and pushing for sustainable biodiversity and energy conservation systems. On the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed annually on June 17, a selected host nation coordinates with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to raise awareness. ‘Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore’ is the theme for 2026.

Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

Shielding children

United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for those under 16 years of age. This follows Australia, which recently became the first nation to enforce a similar restriction. Canada and France are among other countries considering such bans, while Indonesia began its own restriction earlier this year. Social media use among adolescents has been linked to rising rates of depression, anxiety, cyberbullying and addiction-like behaviour. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 11% of adolescents struggle with problematic social media use, showing withdrawal symptoms and neglecting other activities. Late-night scrolling reduces sleep quality, affecting academic performance and physical health, while contributing to anxiety, eating disorders and low self-esteem. Furthermore, children often lack the maturity to fully understand online scams and the risks of sharing personal information. Restricting access shields children from explicit material, misinformation and predatory behaviour, while encouraging healthier offline interactions, hobbies and academic focus. However, platforms also bring major benefits like communication, learning, creativity and access to information. For India, a hybrid approach combining regulation, parental guidance and digital literacy education may be the most effective path forward.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Broadcast disaster

The FIFA World Cup 2026 telecast for Indian viewers is frustrating for football fans. The timings are odd for many viewers and repeat telecasts of the matches are not being shown, but only highlights. Even the opening ceremony was shown in bits and pieces with no repeat telecast. How will Indian football fans and young children enjoy this game and build the footballing ambition to represent their country in the Asia Cup? Cricket telecasts have repeated matches for many days. Here, the profit margins are less than the passion to let football fans enjoy the World Cup, which is one of the world’s best sporting extravaganzas. When India finally makes it to the World Cup, the world will turn its fortune to India for sustainable viewership, attendance, advertisements and hefty payouts to world-class players. The giant is sleeping, waiting to be awakened.

Zidane E Dsouza, Siolim