Forgiving ‘Sinner’
Top-ranked lawn tennis star Jannik Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) settled for a three-month suspension on the player for allegedly having tested positive in March 2024 for a banned anabolic steroid (NT February 17). This has led to an uproar among the other professional players, who see this punitive punishment as too little. They are aghast that Sinner has not lost his Number 1 ranking, will not miss any Grand Slams nor lose titles and prize money. The Professional Tennis Players Association, founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, has criticised the decision made by the Association of Tennis Professionals, Women’s Tennis Association, Grand Slams, WADA and International Tennis Integrity Agency. Sinner seems to have got away with just a slap on the wrist. Moral: It is better to be a sinner than to have never sinned, for then one can get away with a lenient sentence!
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
On threats to traffic police
A motorist from Mapusa has reportedly been booked for threatening a Mapusa traffic police inspector and obstructing him from carrying out his duty at Peddem junction on Monday. It is learnt that traffic congestion occurred due to the trial activation of traffic signals at the junction on National Highway 66. The motorist was stopped for not wearing seatbelt and asked to produce his driving licence. The motorist reportedly argued with the officers, refused to provide the licence and threatened the inspector thereby obstructing the police in carrying out his duties. The video has since gone viral. Be that as it may, there have been several incidents in the recent past of vehicular drivers picking up fights with traffic police and even threatening them of dire consequences. There is a strong possibility of violators of traffic rules having political connections which emboldens them. This behaviour from the general public is unacceptable. It is observed that not only tourists are involved in such incidents but also Goan road users. According to Section 186 of IPC, whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to Rs 500, or with both. Traffic violators threatening the cops should be dealt with strictly. There should be zero tolerance in this regard. Unlike in other countries, there seems to be no fear of the law enforcing agency in the state. This mentality of the general public has to change or it could result in complete breakdown in law-and-order in the state. Body-cameras worn by the traffic cops can come in handy as proof of violent behaviour of motorists.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Frauds at petrol stations
Many petrol bunks indulge in common fraudulent practices like short fuelling and rigging of petrol dispensing machines right under the nose of customers. Not setting the meter to zero is the commonest way to indulge in short fuelling because a busy driver may not always be on his toes to detect the mistake. Petrol dispensing machines are amenable to be rigged by unscrupulous owners. Installation of electronic chips into the fuel machines so that inadequate petrol is pumped into the vehicle while the meter displays full amount is a common modus operandi. Filling synthetic oil is one of the latest tricks. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas should ensure regulatory and penal power on the erring fuel stations. If punitive actions do not work, blacklisting the petrol bunk dealers and even shutting them till they comply with fair practices should be the rule. Customers have a proactive role to play as well.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Dangers of AI
Sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that are likely to emerge due to competition, say at the moment between OpenAI and DeepSeek, which are locked in a fierce battle for supremacy through competitive pricing, could in a few years sound the death knell for the employment sector that is already a cause for concern and which is likely to replace the availability of youth due to population decrease in China, South Korea and Japan where the birth rates are plummeting. So vast is the availability of the volume of data in almost all the fields that with the advent of mathematical models, the permutations and combinations of various calibrated versions could lead to almost unlimited choices that would be available in all fields especially science, technology, engineering, banking and information technology. With the astronomical development, research work could be done with AI in several fields. This could be faster and better if the data fed into the systems is of the most advanced quality that could beat the capacity of the human brain. Unending possibilities are in the offing and sophisticated controls should be devised so as to prevent rogue elements from exploiting the situation.
Elvidio Miranda, Panaji
