LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Monitor air quality

The number of cars, motorcycles and scooters entering Panaji, where many government offices and other private offices are located, has increased considerably. This has led to the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxides as well as particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 increasing to a great extent. In light of this, it would be suggested that ambient air quality index of the capital city, which is a smart city, may be monitored by installing gauges in such a way that permissible limits are displayed in green and then in that order the impermissible limits be displayed in yellow, orange and red, especially on the KTC bus stand, 18th June Road and the Dayanand Bandodkar Road, which are the main thoroughfares in the city. Additionally, temperature and humidity could also be incorporated in these gauges, as it has been noticed that emissions are in

the impermissible limits. The traffic department could temporarily divert traffic from an area that has exceeded the permissible limits so that the pollution level is brought under control.

Elvidio Miranda, Panaji

Feeding zones

The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is reportedly set to introduce designated feeding zones for stray animals within the city limits in order to promote safe coexistence between residents and community dogs. It is learnt that CCP will encourage housing societies to identify safe, hygienic areas where stray dogs can be fed responsibly. This is a step in the right direction, as it will promote peaceful coexistence between people and stray dogs and reduce the risk of dog-bite incidents. Confining feeding to designated spots can help prevent dogs from becoming aggressive in residential areas and causing conflict with residents. Designated spots protect dog feeders from harassment and hostility that they might otherwise face when feeding in public areas. Designated feeding areas for stray dogs must be located away from public thoroughfares and children’s play areas in order to avoid conflicts and ensure safety. Local community groups and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) should jointly decide on feeding locations. Such feeding areas should not be in public streets, on footpaths or in areas where people commute to prevent disruption to pedestrian and traffic flow. In order to accommodate dogs’ territorial nature, several feeding locations might be needed within a community. The designated feeder should be responsible for ensuring that no garbage or food scraps are left behind after feeding. Community kitchen could also be established to prepare meals for stray dogs. Fixed timing for feeding the dogs also needs to be maintained. Other civic bodies in the state need to follow in the footsteps of CCP and have feeding areas demarcated under their jurisdiction.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Illegible prescriptions

Though prescriptions by doctors are lifelines for patients, the same can turn into life endangering ‘written orders’ mainly because of the illegible ‘scribbles and scrawls’ penned by the practitioners. However, medical professionals could find an excuse – the heavy number of patients queuing up for consultation making neat handwriting difficult! Recent judicial pronouncements by the Punjab and Haryana High Court have drawn a firm line – clear medical prescriptions are not a courtesy, they are a fundamental right of patients. While dealing with a case, the court stated that it was surprised and shocked that even in an era of modern technology doctors go in for the handwritten prescription, which cannot be deciphered due to the illegible scribbling.  The court has directed the government that doctors must write prescriptions in capital letters until digitisation is implemented. Lack of clarity in prescriptions can end up in fatal medical errors and fatalities. Any ambiguity in a prescription can lead to tragic consequences. Poor handwriting can lead to incorrect medications, wrong dosages, delays in treatment, confusion during legal disputes, if any, and in some cases even death may occur.

M Pradyu, Kannur

Record in Tokyo

Sanae Takaichi is all set to create a record in Tokyo. She will be the first woman prime minister of Japan and the fifth prime minister in as many years after Shinzo Abe served for nine consecutive years ending in 2020. A former Economic Security Minister, 64-year-old Takaichi has successfully shattered the male bastion of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). But Takaichi is said to be a supporter of “war” and “militarism”, and a protege of former prime minister Abe. But observers feel she may not take a divergent view on the pro-patriarchal stand of her party. Economy and diplomacy are said to be the PM-in-waiting’s priorities, with the outgoing prime minister Shigeru Ishiba having failed on both fronts. Takaichi is reportedly mulling to take a tough stance on immigration thereby diluting the anti-immigration stand of LDF’s rival, the Sanceito party. Former England prime minister, the late Margaret Thatcher is Takaichi’s idol. One hopes she proves to be Japan’s ‘iron lady’ during her term.

Ganapathi Bhat, Akola