Attracting high-end tourists
Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, while speaking to the media on Thursday, asked the state government and the tourism department to take urgent measures to address the issue of decline in tourism, particularly in Calangute. He said the surge of low-budget tourists in Calangute has created numerous problems for this once-preferred world-famous tourism destination, especially for foreign tourists who simply refuse to visit the place anymore just because the Indian tourists irritate them by taking selfies with them and clicking their photos. The low-budget tourists are flocking Calangute as they can get away by doing many wrongs like cooking their own food in private fields, properties, roadsides, indulging in street brawls to creating a ruckus in beach shacks and restaurants under the influence of alcohol. Sequeira should therefore advise the state government and the tourism department to come down heavily on erring low-budget tourists.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
India’s space quest
India’s successful SpaDeX docking mission has unequivocally underlined its tremendous space capabilities. Two satellites already sent to space on December 30 were united or connected to explore exciting opportunities. Docking, or joining, or connecting two satellites by bringing them to the same orbit like a single object, has thus become achievable, thanks to the redoubtable Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This successful experiment will hold scientists in good stead when they prepare for India’s upcoming space missions, including Chandrayaan-4, a manned mission to space and the moon, and the building of space stations. That the complex docking procedure was undertaken over a fortnight of unwavering hard work and missionary zeal by the ISRO scientists, in the third attempt, is a tribute to their never-say-never attitude. After the Chandrayaan-2 setback, ISRO has recouped admirably well, and after the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3, it seems the sky is never the limit” for the country’s proud space organisation.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Surgical advancements
The trial run of the advanced robotic surgery system, Da Vinci Xi, was reportedly conducted at Vagator on Friday. The trial run demonstrated how the system aids surgeons in the efficient execution of complex surgeries across disciplines. Traditional open surgery involves a surgeon operating with hand-held instruments through a large incision. Minimally invasive surgery includes laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted surgery. Robotic surgery gives surgeons the added benefit of technology that helps extend their capabilities. It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a robotic arm to perform procedures. Most often, a robotic surgery system includes a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached to them. The surgeon controls the robotic arms while seated at a control center, called a console, near the operating table. The surgeon gets a magnified, high-definition, 3D view of the surgical site. There are several benefits of robotic surgery. The surgeon has better visualization and greater range of motion and dexterity, leading to a more precise surgery. The surgeon sees a highly magnified, high-resolution image, and the use of a high-definition camera, known as an endoscope, allows for clear visualisation of the organ, and thin and flexible instruments can reach the organ. Robotic surgery can lead to faster recovery times and a quicker return to normal activities. There is less pain and blood loss. There is a smaller and less noticeable scar left behind after the surgery. A shorter hospital stay is the other advantage. According to experts, adoption of robot-assisted surgery in Goa could improve the quality of health care and promote the state as a medical tourism hub.
Adelmo Fenandes, Vasco
Restrictions on cricketers
After the recent debacle in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is mulling implementing several disciplinary matters. One of these is to limit the presence of wives of the players on tours (NT Jan 15). Wives and other family members would be permitted to accompany the players for a maximum of two weeks if the tour is 45 days or more. While for tours less than 45 days, wives would be allowed only for a week. Although this rule has existed for a long time, one does not understand the logic behind the time limits for wives to stay. And why no actions were taken all these years on the players who did not fall in line. If the rule is strictly enforced, then it may suggest that wives are “distractions” and contradicts the saying that “behind every successful man there is a woman.” Wives would provide moral support when the chips are down and a comforting pat. The players could stare at them whenever there is free time or when they play well. What happens if the spouses travel and stay separately but often meet at some place? Incidentally, there is no clarity if the women cricketers are allowed to take their husbands on tours. The BCCI needs to look into such nitty-gritties; otherwise, some players may exploit the loopholes in the order.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
