Maintain House dignity
The highest institution for governance in a constitutional democracy is the Parliament. The ruling party can have its way, but the Opposition must also get an opportunity to put its arguments forward. Members of the Parliament should exhibit civilised behaviour in the House and not create a ruckus or indulge in walkouts. Also, bills should not be bulldozed, proper discussions should be held. Unfortunately, we see all this happening during the sessions. The Opposition is unable to get its act together and the ruling party whose duty is to conduct the House fails miserably.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Time to act
The news report ‘Ex-SC judge Oka rallies behind Enough is Enough movement’ (NT February 9), is welcome news, and a shot in the arm for the ‘Enough is enough’ movement launched by former chief justice of the Allahabad High Court Ferdino Rebello. Even more encouraging is the fact that the movement has the support of former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai. According to the jurists, it is the constitutional duty of the state government to protect the natural environment, which includes, forests, hills, water bodies and wildlife, by enforcing all environmental laws. Citizens also have the fundamental right to live in a pollution-free environment. This is exactly what the movement is all about – to stop the environmental destruction presently being witnessed all over the state in the name of development. It is time for the Goa government to act now, without further delay.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Deworming children
Children in the age group of 1-14 are at a significant risk of contracting the soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections from worms like hookworms through soil contaminated with fecal matter. Children’s nutritional intake, as a consequence, stands to be compromised, rendering them susceptible to anaemia and malnutrition. In 2015, anganwadi and school-based National Deworming Day was launched by the government for children and adolescents in the age group of 1-19 years in two rounds every year: February 10 and August 10. In schools, students of the age group of 6-15 are administered an appropriate dose of the anti-helminthic drug albendazole by teachers, while children of 1-5 age group are taken care of in anganwadis. It is important to educate children about the need of keeping hands and nails clean and hygienic, consuming clean water, avoiding open defecation, washing hands with good soap in running water after defecation, controlling the urge to eat street food and desisting from walking outdoors barefoot.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Emergency response
This is written with deep anguish and outrage over a tragic and completely avoidable death that occurred during a gram sabha meeting at Santa Cruz on February 8, exposing the apathy of authorities towards emergency medical preparedness at public events. During the meeting, a 70-year-old citizen collapsed in full public view. Precious minutes passed, yet no ambulance arrived. Desperate and helpless, the local residents had no choice but to transport the victim in a private car to the Goa Medical College, Bambolim, where he was declared brought dead. One is compelled to ask, had timely medical assistance been available, would this life have been saved? This heartbreaking incident is not just an unfortunate event, it is a grave failure of governance. Gram sabha meetings are official government gatherings attended by hundreds, including elderly citizens. Despite this, there was no ambulance on standby, no medical personnel and no emergency protocol in place. While elaborate arrangements are made for microphones, banners and security, the most basic and critical requirement saving human life is casually ignored. The incident should serve as a loud warning to the government and the local administration. Mandatory deployment of ambulance, first-aid facilities and trained medical staff at all public meetings and large gatherings must be enforced without exception.
Evaristo Fernandes, St Cruz
Unfulfilled promises
In Goa, as in the rest of India, political parties often begin their journey to power not with performance but with promises – neatly printed, carefully worded and loudly advertised in election manifestos. These documents speak of development, employment, governance reforms and protection of local interests. Trusting these assurances, people vote with hope. But once elections are over and governments are formed, the manifesto is rarely discussed again, either by those in power or by the public. There is no structured system to verify whether these promises are fulfilled. No compliance report is placed before the citizens. No authority audits what was promised versus what was delivered. Most importantly, voters have no legal remedy to question unfulfilled commitments. In effect, manifestos function as political advertisements rather than accountable policy documents. When the same party seeks re-election, the focus is rarely on past promises.
Pranay Sawant Dessai, Curchorem
