Campal lighthouse
On June 28, authorities might have taken some 43 minutes to demolish and bring down the 43-year-old lighthouse located along the bank of the Mandovi River at Campal. The demolished lighthouse was built around 1983 and replaced an older historic lighthouse at the same site. According to heritage activist and historian Prajal Sakhardande, a 22-metre-tall lighthouse was built in 1944 by the Portuguese during the tenure of Governor Jose Ricardo Pereira Cabral. The lighthouse was a beacon of hope for vessels and silently witnessed the ‘development’ (destruction) of the river and along its banks. The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) opened up 75 of 204 lighthouses for sightseeing and between 2024 and 2025, 18 lakh tourists visited the lighthouses. Last November, the DGLL proposed to restore the Campal lighthouse but had to drop the plan, as the state government was unwilling to part with the land for the project. When the Centre asks for land for infrastructural projects, it is surrendered and nearby villages and fertile fields are also sacrificed, even against the people’s will. Age-wise, the Campal lighthouse may not be on par with the heritage ones at Aguada (162 years) and São Jacinto Island (126 years), which are planned to be developed for tourism by DGLL. The Goa government could have given the required land and saved the Campal lighthouse. Older heritage sites and monuments have been successfully restored, reconstructed and are visited by tourists. The excuse that it could not be restored due to major structural defects does not hold water, as the nearby 56-year-old Kala Academy has been renovated at a cost of more than Rs 50 crore and without an open tender.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Plastic containers
Over 90% of food deliveries in our cities currently utilise black plastic containers. However, research has proven that these containers often contain toxic chemicals and flame retardants derived from recycled e-waste. When hot food is packed into them, these carcinogenic chemicals leach into the food, causing hormonal imbalances and neurological disorders in humans. From an environmental perspective, they are equally hazardous. Because their black colour absorbs infrared rays, sorting machines cannot detect them, resulting in over 90% of the black plastic ending up un-recycled in landfills. As an urgent solution, the government must strictly ban the use of black plastic in food packaging.
Vijaykumar H K, Raichur
Unethical practices
I wish to draw attention of the government, health authorities and the general public to the growing concerns regarding the state of India’s healthcare system. Several reports published in the media, medical journals and investigative books have raised alarming questions about unethical practices in certain sections of the healthcare industry. Allegations range from unnecessary surgeries and excessive diagnostic testing to unethical referral practices, inflated medical bills, insurance claim disputes and disturbing cases of exploitation of vulnerable patients and their families. Particularly worrying are reports suggesting that some hospitals and medical institutions may be prioritising profits over patient welfare. Claims of unnecessary procedures, commissions on diagnostic tests, pharmaceutical incentives and questionable treatment practices have shaken public confidence in a system that is expected to function on trust, compassion and professional ethics. Equally concerning are reports of fraudulent activities involving health insurance claims and instances of alleged organ trafficking networks. While many doctors and healthcare workers continue to serve society with dedication and integrity, even a small number of unethical practitioners can severely damage the reputation of the entire medical profession. Healthcare is not merely a business; it is a service that directly affects human life and dignity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for stronger regulation, independent audits of hospitals, transparent pricing of medical procedures, strict monitoring of referral practices and swift action against those found guilty of misconduct.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Conserve mangroves
The recent sighting of a baby crocodile inside a residential property in Moira and another crocodile found sheltering under a vehicle at Mala in Panaji has once again brought the issue of human-wildlife conflict into focus. While such incidents often create fear among residents, they also highlight the rapid destruction of mangrove forests along Goa’s riverbanks. Crocodiles are not intruders by choice. They are being forced out of their natural habitat due to the relentless destruction of mangroves caused by illegal land reclamation, construction and unchecked human encroachment. These reptiles are generally shy and avoid humans. They attack only when threatened or provoked. Unfortunately, as their habitat shrinks, encounters with people are becoming more frequent. Mangroves are among the most valuable ecosystems in the world.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
