Probe overdose
As a part of school health programme, a teacher at a Colvale higher secondary school gave five iron tablets to the girls, instructing them to consume one tablet per week after a full meal. During the recess at 11.30 am, two girls, aged 17 and 16, consumed four tablets and five tablets, respectively. They felt uneasy, vomited and were admitted at the health centre and later shifted to the North Goa District Hospital. Once their condition stabilised, they were discharged (NT July 14). The school needs to probe the reasons as to why the adolescent girls acted carelessly. Was it a wager between themselves, for fun, an act for a reel, to seek attention or because they were have some underlying issues? Thankfully the girls recovered.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Cease hostilities
The fragile interim peace accord between the United States and Iran has crumbled, thrusting the vital Strait of Hormuz back into the geopolitical crosshairs. Hostilities have resumed, and with them, a familiar and exhausting debate over who controls this critical maritime choke point. During the early stages of the conflict, Iran insisted on its right to control the waterway and levy transit fees. The US fiercely opposed this, championing the principle of free international shipping. Yet, in a bizarre twist of logic, Trump recently declared that while he would keep the waterway open, he wanted to levy a 20% surcharge to cover American “costs”. Iran’s Foreign Minister quickly responded, offering to manage the strait even cheaper. This blatant hypocrisy –objecting to Iranian tolls only to propose American ones – is classic Trump. Unsurprisingly, he recanted the very next day, reverting to the position that transit must remain free. Beyond the financial posturing, the pretext for resuming these hostilities is deeply flawed. The US claimed Iran attacked transiting ships that had strayed from Iran-approved routes. Unless these were US-flagged vessels, an attack is not a direct act of aggression against America; it is an issue for the sovereign nations of those vessels to resolve. Trump is not the “policeman of the world”. His insistence on playing this role is dragging the global economy back into a costly, unnecessary war. The US Senate has already signalled its exhaustion, instructing the President to halt military action and denying further war funding. Trump must heed this legislative mandate, cease hostilities and allow peace talks to resume.
S Kamat, Mysuru
Vasco’s white elephant
Six months ago, the newly constructed Vasco fish market was inaugurated with great fanfare, promising state-of-the-art facilities for local vendors. Today, that promise lies in ruins. Instead of doing business inside the spacious building, vendors have been forced onto the pavement because of sewage leaks and indoor waterlogging. The local MLA has promised to resolve the sewage crisis within fifteen days, but the situation begs a larger question: how did a brand-new, crores-of-rupees project pass inspections by multiple engineers and consultants with such a basic, glaring flaw? Proper drainage and sewage systems are fundamental to any building – let alone a wet market. Even before the sewage crisis, the vendors’ transition to the new facility was far from smooth. Many were unhappy with the floor planning, which pushed several of them to the first floor, while buyers naturally preferred to stay on the ground level. To make matters worse, unchecked roadside vendors have set up shop outside, easily intercepting customers before they ever step foot inside. While the municipality has promised a drive to clear these roadside stalls, enforcement has been sluggish. The current situation is highly ironic: a massive, modern building sits empty and flooded, while the people it was built for are pushed back onto the hot streets just to make a living. The municipality and the local authorities must act fast. It is time to fix the structural issues, stop illegal roadside sales and ensure that Vasco’s hard-working fish vendors finally get the clean, dignified workspace they were promised.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Changes in Bill
In the wake of concerns raised by Opposition parties about the proposed provision for the “removal” of prime minister, chief ministers and ministers after 30 consecutive days in judicial custody, a joint parliamentary committee has recommended an important safeguard in the Constitution. The committee examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill has recommended replacing the provision for automatic “removal” with “suspension”. This is done with a view to maintaining constitutional balance. The provision for the removal of executives attracted criticism from the Congress and other regional parties for likening custody with guilt. In a democratic country, an executive member in custody cannot be immediately labelled guilty; only the judicial proceedings will prove whether or not he is guilty. Suspension is a practical approach than taking immediate punitive measures. Fair and fast trial is important to prevent a long suspension. The proposed reinstatement, if proved innocent, is a commendable step.
Venu G S, Kollam
