When national pride comes first
The Indian women’s cricket team has once again demonstrated that sporting success is not always measured by the trophy a team lifts. After defeating Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final, the Indian players chose not to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, a decision that has reportedly received the backing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The move has also continued the stance taken by the Indian men’s team during the 2025 Asia Cup. Mohsin Naqvi is not only the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) but also serves as a minister in the Pakistan government. At a time when relations between India and Pakistan remain strained by serious political and security concerns, the Indian team’s decision can be viewed as a reflection of national sentiment. Cricket is undoubtedly a sport, and international tournaments are meant to bring countries together through healthy competition. However, athletes are also citizens, and there are moments when sporting events intersect with larger national issues. The Indian women’s team had already achieved the most important objective on the field by winning the finals. Choosing not to receive it from a Pakistani government minister sends a clear message about where the team’s priorities lie. For the team supporters the decision was the right one. International prizes will come and go, but national pride, dignity and solidarity can carry a much deeper significance. The Indian women’s team’s stand has made their Asia Cup triumph about more than cricket. It has made it a statement of principle.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Opposition unity crucial
The tie-up of the Goa Forward party (GFP) and the Aam Admi party (AAP) as the Third Front to take on the BJP at the forthcoming 2027 Assembly polls in Goa is a welcome step and on expected lines, as neither party is capable of going it alone. Secondly, the recent Congress-RGP alliance may sound encouraging, but will only add to the division of Opposition votes — much to the delight of the BJP. Opposition parties it appears have yet to learn from past mistakes, and the same fate awaits them in Goa this time as well, if they don’t unite and contest the elections jointly.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Safety, not restrictions
The newly opened Porvorim Flyover (Elevated Corridor) is meant for all vehicles. Two-wheelers should not be banned, even temporarily, simply because of safety concerns. Instead, proper speed limits, lane discipline, signage, barriers, lighting, surveillance and traffic enforcement should be implemented to prevent accidents. Human errors must be addressed through better traffic management—not by restricting an entire category of road users. If the entry and exit points near Guirim and Majestic have been restricted to manage traffic, then the traffic-management system should be strengthened and properly monitored. The solution is better safety measures, not a blanket ban. The Porvorim Flyover should remain accessible to two-wheelers and other vehicles while ensuring safe and orderly movement for everyone.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Protect small payments
The decision to keep UPI and RuPay transactions up to Rs 2,000 charge free safeguards micro transactions for small vendors and retail consumers. However paving the way for potential fees on larger transactions addresses a critical reality processing over 13 billion monthly payments requires continuous capital expenditure to maintain infrastructure and security. To preserve adoption while ensuring commercial viability any future charges above Rs 2,000 must strictly target commercial merchants through a capped, tiered model never individual users or P2P transfers. Small businesses below Rs 20 lakh turnover should remain fully exempt.
Dr Vijaykumar H K, Raichur
Nation builds immunity
India has cemented its position as a world vaccine titan, recognized as the leading manufacturer and distributor of immunisations worldwide, according to Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. The country’s vast clinical challenges, coupled with its deep pool of scientific talent, continue to drive innovation. With infectious and non-infectious diseases constantly surfacing, India sustains a highly investigative research environment where microbial studies and outbreak preparedness have gained remarkable momentum. Today, more than 170 nations import vaccines from India, which produces nearly 60 percent of the global supply. The domestic bioeconomy reached an impressive $195.3 billion in 2025, with biopharmaceuticals alone contributing 30 percent. For a nation that endured immense strain during the peak of COVID-19, the ability to develop its own vaccines stands as a tribute to the resilience and ingenuity of its indigenous researchers.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
