Sacred duty
The call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use eco-friendly idols during festival celebrations has received a lukewarm response from several state governments. Idols made of artificial materials and toxic paints continue to be immersed in local water bodies. The pollutants disperse over wide areas, contaminating aquatic ecosystems and posing serious health risks to downstream populations. Driven by religious fervour and rising prosperity, festival celebrations have increasingly become showy, noisy, extravagant and unsustainable. Rivers already choked by industrial and domestic waste are further degraded by these toxic materials, largely because many celebrants remain unaware of the environmental impact of their actions. We cannot afford a complacent view of this growing crisis. Religious traditions must not compromise environmental sustainability or public health. Education on eco-friendly practices is essential.
Venu G S, Kollam
Turbulent skies
Whether the Phuket-New Delhi Air India flight drop was related to clear air turbulence or otherwise, it goes without saying that unexpected turbulence is an unwelcome event for an anxious flyer. Though turbulence is generally said to be uncomfortable without being dangerous, and the most severe turbulence can never crash a plane, it can seriously injure a flyer. But in modern day long distance air travel, turbulence is an unavoidable possibility, especially on specific routes. Experts have said that climate change across the globe has made air travel bumpy, and this trend may further augment because climate change is never static. A better turbulence forecasting system and detection mechanism is needed.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Safety standards
The death of a student during a trekking trip to a waterfall in Sattari has once again raised a serious question before society: When does negligence become a criminal offence? The loss of a young life during an activity organised for students is not merely an unfortunate accident that can be dismissed with the words ‘it was destiny’ or ‘it was an unforeseen incident’. Where a person or an institution has a duty to protect the safety of others, failure to take reasonable precautions can have serious legal consequences. A school trip, trekking expedition or an educational outing involving children carries a particularly high duty of care. Teachers, organisers and tour operators who undertake such activities are expected to assess the risks, particularly during monsoon season, and take appropriate safety measures. Waterfalls, fast-flowing streams, slippery terrain and sudden changes in water levels are known hazards. The law, however, makes an important distinction. Every negligent act causing death does not automatically constitute culpable homicide or murder. The prosecution must establish the ingredients of the particular offence. Where death is caused by a rash or negligent act, the law may impose criminal liability for causing death by negligence. Where the evidence establishes the requisite intention or knowledge that elevates the conduct to culpable homicide, the more serious provisions of criminal law may become applicable. This distinction is important. At the same time, the law cannot permit people entrusted with the safety of children to escape responsibility simply by describing a preventable tragedy as an ‘accident’. The question that investigators must therefore examine is not merely ‘how did the student drown?’ but also: was the risk foreseeable? Was the activity properly supervised? Were the students warned and prevented from entering dangerous areas? Were weather and monsoon conditions considered? Did the organisers have adequate safety arrangements?
Paul Pereira, Majorda
Medicine status
Displaying a real-time list of available and out-of-stock medicines in government hospital pharmacies would save patients from waiting in long queues only to discover that essential drugs are unavailable. Goa’s public health systems and digital portals must transition toward real-time inventory displays – whether digital or physical – clearly showing current drug status for public convenience. When essential items run low, hospital pharmacists frequently direct patients to private pharmacies or Jan Aushadhi stores. Mandating stock display boards offers several key benefits, including saving patients time through instant availability checks, helping administrators reallocate medicines from warehouses faster and promoting overall transparency in public healthcare supply management.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Election bonanza
The news report ‘Kejriwal rolls out six guarantees, vows to scrap Section 39A’ (NT August 10) is welcome news that should serve to lift the spirits and bring cheer to the people of Goa. With six guarantees, including 300 units of free electricity, Rs 10 lakh health insurance for every family, Rs 3,000 per month for every woman above the age of 18 and the scrapping of Section 39A of the TCP Act, what more can the people of Goa ask for?
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
