The risk of going digital
Passengers flying out of Indian airports will reportedly no longer be required to carry a physical boarding pass as immigration authorities have decided to do away with the stamping of this document from September 1. Instead, passengers travelling abroad will have to produce an e-boarding on their smartphone for immigration clearance. The stated objective is to eliminate “inconvenience” caused to passengers. But then what happens to passengers who do not have smartphones? International air travel is no longer the preserve of the wealthy. Every day, thousands of ordinary Indians travel abroad for employment, family visits, business and tourism. A large number of Goans travel to destinations in the Gulf, where they may be employed. Not every passenger is necessarily digitally confident, and not everyone may own a smartphone capable of displaying an e-boarding pass. The physical stamp on a boarding pass provides a tangible record that can be retained by the passenger. Under a completely digital system, the responsibility for maintaining that record shifts almost entirely to government databases and airline systems. What happens, for instance, if a passenger loses the phone on which the boarding pass was displayed? What if the phone battery dies at the airport?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Protect public health
The crackdown by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on food-safety violations in Maharashtra is a welcome step and should be pursued with greater consistency. Food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a basic public-health responsibility. When restaurants, hotels, eateries and food businesses compromise on hygiene, they put the health of thousands of consumers at risk. The strong public response to the Maharashtra FDA’s crackdown shows that consumers are increasingly unwilling to compromise on food safety. Restaurants and eateries must understand that cleanliness, proper storage, safe food handling and hygienic kitchens are fundamental responsibilities, not optional practices.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Surge in swine flu
A surge in Swine Flu cases in Delhi is a matter of concern, though there is no need for panic. The virus causing swine flu is known to mutate and infect human beings who may be resistant to the original strain. Since children and the elderly are more vulnerable, they must exercise greater caution. Symptoms are similar to the common cold, so patients as well as doctors can easily be caught unaware. The infection is highly contagious during the first five days. It is vital to protect one’s hands, eyes and face. Coughs and sneezes can spread thousands of germs, which may remain on tables and doorknobs for days, waiting to be picked up by others. Therefore, personal hygiene and cleanliness of surroundings cannot be emphasised enough. The Centre should closely coordinate with the Delhi government to ensure the steady availability of Tamiflu tablets and N-95 masks. Those infected with swine flu must isolate themselves.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Ethanol’s double edge
Ethanol is increasingly gaining global attention because of its wide range of applications. It is naturally produced through the fermentation of sugars by yeast or manufactured through petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. Historically used as a general anesthetic, ethanol today has several medical applications, including use as an antiseptic, disinfectant, solvent for certain medicines, and antidote for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Ethanol is also widely used as a chemical solvent, in the production of organic compounds, and as a fuel for lamps, stoves and internal-combustion engines. It can also be dehydrated to produce ethylene, an important chemical feedstock. In 2023, global fuel-ethanol production reached 112 billion litres, with the United States and Brazil accounting for the largest shares. Given its diverse uses and growing importance as a fuel, ethanol can be both a boon and a bane. Determining where it stands requires a careful examination of its benefits, risks and long-term impact on humanity.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Safer nights ahead
Automatic headlamps on two- wheelers will soon operate only in passing-beam (low-beam) mode, while buses and other heavy vehicles will be required to use genuine reflective tapes to improve visibility at night and during poor weather. The use of high-intensity headlamps will also be restricted across all vehicle categories to reduce glare, which can cause discomfort and impair the vision of other road users. Night-time travel across India can be hazardous. High-beam and intense LED lights are a particular problem for those travelling on scooters, motorcycles, autos and cars. A few moments of impaired vision caused by a sudden flash of high-beam light can have devastating consequences, especially amid heavy traffic. High-beam glare can make the road virtually invisible to oncoming drivers and riders, making night travel increasingly dangerous.
C K Subramaniam, Mumbai
