Slope safety
A massive boulder came crashing down a rain-soaked hillside onto a house at Voddant in Vasco on Tuesday. Fortunately, the occupants escaped unhurt, but the incident highlighted the dangers faced by residents living near unstable slopes. Just days earlier, a landslide along Harbour Road claimed the life of a labourer. Within days, another landslide occurred along the same stretch, while a recent landslide at New Vaddem has further heightened public concern. These recurring incidents point to a larger issue that requires immediate attention from the authorities. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the stability of hills in several parts of the port town. The soil is known to be soft, and continuous heavy rainfall weakens the slopes, increasing the risk of landslides and falling boulders. A comprehensive geological assessment of vulnerable hillsides should be carried out to identify unstable zones. Loose rocks and boulders must be removed before they become hazards. Permanent retaining walls, effective drainage systems and slope stabilisation measures should be taken up in high-risk areas to prevent erosion and landslides. Authorities should also regularly monitor vulnerable hillsides, particularly during the mon-soon, and issue timely warnings whenever required. The repeated landslides in Vasco are a clear warning that lasting measures can no longer be delayed.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Martyrs’ recognition
Every democracy owes two debts to its soldiers: to equip them well enough to fight and to acknowledge them honestly if they fall. The first secures the nation’s borders, while the second safeguards its conscience. The recent inscription of the names of six military personnel who died during Operation Sindoor at the National War Memorial has raised questions beyond party politics. The issue is not whether these personnel were honoured. They received gallantry awards, their families were presented with the medals, and their names have now been inscribed on the nation’s Roll of Honour. The question is why official acknowledgement of their sacrifice as casualties of Operation Sindoor came only a year later. The government has said that the Director General of Military Operations referred to casualties in May 2025, gallantry awards were announced in August, and the memorial inscription followed established procedure. At the same time, Opposition leaders have questioned the government’s statements in Parliament. The letter cites Congress leader K C Venugopal’s contention that misleading or withholding information from Parliament constitutes a breach of privilege. It also refers to retired Colonel Rohit Chaudhry’s demand that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh resign over the issue. The government should come forward and explain the facts to the nation.
Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar
Temple introspection
The consecration of Ram Lalla in the permanent temple at Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, was a historic occasion for millions of devotees. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister described it as the beginning of a new chapter in India’s civilisational journey and an occasion for introspection. He also highlighted Lord Ram’s virtues of truthfulness, duty, justice, com-passion and unwavering commitment to righteousness. A central theme of his address was conveyed through the phrases “dev se desh” and “Ram se rashtra”. He said the temple should inspire every citizen to contribute to society through honesty, discipline, selfless service and moral character. These words raise an important question. Are these ideals being reflected in the administration and functioning of the Ram Temple today? Those entrusted with managing one of the country’s most sacred institutions have a responsibility that extends beyond financial and administrative matters. They are also expected to uphold the values that Lord Ram symbolises. Recent developments have prompted many devotees to ask whether the principles of transparency, justice, fairness and ethical conduct are being followed. If the temple is to serve as a beacon of moral leadership, its trustees and administrators must demonstrate commitment to righteousness.
Evaristo Fernandes, Merces
Football failure
Cape Verde, a nation of just 5.3 lakh people, has reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage after finishing second in Group H behind Spain and ahead of Uruguay. It is a remarkable achievement for a country considered an outsider. By contrast, India, despite having the world’s second-largest population, continues to struggle to field a competitive national football team or qualify for a FIFA World Cup. In my view, those running the game are focusing on issues such as renaming the All India Football Federation instead of investing in grassroots development and giving talented young players opportunities to raise the standard of Indian football. The Indian media also gives football far less attention than cricket. If India is to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, people must show greater interest in football and support the sport at all levels.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
