Despicable act
The recent incident in Maina-Curtorim police station jurisdiction where a 35-year-old man allegedly sexually assaulted an 85-year-old woman inside her own home, has sent shockwaves across Goa. This heinous crime highlights the grim reality that women, regardless of age, remain vulnerable to sexual violence. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Goa has witnessed multiple instances of sexual abuse, including crimes against minors. This raises a pressing question. How safe are women in the state? Public spaces too are fraught with danger, as women frequently report being stalked, harassed, and touched inappropriately. The government’s responsibility to ensure safety cannot be understated. While laws exist, their enforcement often falls short. The lack of visible deterrents emboldens perpetrators, leaving women to fend for themselves. Policing needs to be more proactive, with increased patrolling in vulnerable areas, quicker response times, and stronger community engagement.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Craze for private schools
According to a recent report by the Unified District Information System for Education Plus, government schools across India lost nearly 86 lakh students over the past two academic years while private unaided recognised schools gained 88 lakh enrolments. This raises serious concern as preference of parents and students to private schools will badly affect the functioning of government schools in the country. Over the years, expectations of parents about their children have changed. They want their children to excel in all fields. When government schools fall short of their expectations, parents enrol their children in private schools. Most of the private schools give importance to communication skills, discipline, high scoring in exams and so on. Government schools do not prioritise such areas. Also, most government schools lack facilities such as good class rooms, washrooms, play ground, rest rooms and so on. The government must invest sufficiently for the progress of government schools and take measures for the improvement of quality of education
Venu GS, Kollam
Violence against doctors
Violence against doctors and healthcare workers is an assault on the entire healthcare system. The issue has become more relevant after a Shiv Sena corporator assaulted two doctors at a hospital in Maharashtra’s Thane district. Doctors and healthcare workers operate under immense pressure, often dealing with overcrowded hospitals, inadequate infrastructure and life-and-death situations. Disagreements over treatment or administrative issues cannot justify intimidation or physical attacks. Also, doctors should not be blamed for systemic failure of the hospital as a large part of the blame for dysfunctional government hospitals lies with the elected representative. India urgently needs a stronger legal framework to curb violence in healthcare facilities. Emphasis should also be laid on improved hospital security, faster investigation of such offences and greater public awareness about the realities of medical emergencies and resource limitations.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Empty assurances
In recent days, social media has been flooded with posts claiming ethanol-blended petrol is perfectly safe for vehicles. This follows numerous complaints from vehicle users, putting the government under pressure. To reinforce the E20+ narrative, Union minister Nitin Gadkari challenged people to show whose car was damaged, ignoring complaints already made. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri cited Formula 1 cars using ethanol for better acceleration, overlooking concerns about poor roads, reduced mileage and possible vehicle damage. Car manufacturers like Suzuki and Toyota have also claimed ethanol-blended fuel causes no damage. Meanwhile, the BJP IT Cell dismisses public grievances as a “Pakistani agenda,” branding critics anti-national. Yet no one has assured vehicle owners that any damage to engines, fuel tanks, rubber linings or other parts caused by ethanol-blended fuel will be repaired or replaced free of cost. That is the assurance people seek, but it remains absent.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Population dividend
Population is a blessing as well as a curse. Blessing when a government can effectively cater to a small population for involving them as active policy participants, and a curse when a huge population acts as a hindrance to sustainable development especially in relation to environmental issues. Societal support and citizen sustenance are a state’s chief goals. Eighty million people are added to the world every year, and by the end of 2030 the globe is expected to see a surge in population: approximately 8.5 billion people will occupy the world’s space. Similar to other ‘ rights’, the “right to family planning” is also enshrined in the annals of the United Nations which began marking the World Population Day on July 11 starting 1990.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
