Protests in Goa
Since the last few days, villagers from Palem and Siridao, along with other citizens, have assembled at the Azad Maidan in Panaji to protest against Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act. Section 39A empowers the chief town planner to alter or modify regional plans or outline development plans (ODPs) to change land zones based on individual applications. This provision, allowing for land conversion, has faced a lot of criticism and protests for enabling conversion of sensitive land such as orchards and natural covers into settlement zones. The protesters at Azad Maidan are demanding the scrapping of Section 39A. The villagers want the greenery in their village and the environment to be protected. The TCP Department has already given clearance to many projects. Goa has seen several protests in the recent past. The state’s regional plan should be revised by keeping the villagers’ interest at the forefront so as to keep Goa’s natural beauty intact for posterity.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Safety in laboratories
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises laboratory safety measures in a stimulating learning environment. These are to be implemented through the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) that have specific, mandatory safety protocols for schools and colleges. Labs must follow guidelines, including infrastructure and student conduct. The labs must have at least two wide, unobstructed exits and exhaust fans for ventilation, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits at prominent locations. Chemicals should be labelled and harmful substances must be in locked cupboards. No student should work alone and they should not smell or taste the chemicals. Higher education institutions have more rigorous standards and may be detailed in manuals. Institutions must regularly check electrical fittings, gas connections and vulnerable places. Students must wear lab coats, gloves, safety goggles and closed-toe shoes. No loose clothes and hanging jewellery should be allowed. Engineering and chemistry students must undergo training to handle pressurised gas cylinders, high-power lasers and organometallic reagents. Emergency contact numbers must be posted in the labs. After working hours, students should work in pairs or in teams. No food and beverages should be allowed in the labs. Personal items should be kept in designated areas. To provide “equal access to quality practical experiences” while minimising physical hazards, NEP 2020 encourages the use of virtual labs via platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM. Besides, smoke and fire detectors should be installed, students should use auto pipettes to avoid sucking acids, teachers should wear protective gears and must be trained in first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods. A safety committee should be formed in institutions and a class should be conducted on safety. Standard operating procedure (SOP) should be in place in case of emergencies. Safety is of paramount importance and needs to be prioritised rather than insisting on marks and careers.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Protecting land
It has been reported that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has taken exception to the recent sit-in protest outside Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane’s residence in Dona Paula by stating that people should use proper forums to raise their grievances. The citizens were protesting over Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and demanding scrapping of the Section. The Opposition laments that when the amendment was passed in the assembly, they were told when they objected to it that it would help locals convert their orchard lands. Goans cannot be treated as collateral damage in the name of development. Locals from several villages are now coming onto the streets. The ‘Enough is Enough’ movement is backed by eminent jurist. The state government should show the way for peaceful unity in diversity and sustainable development.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Inculcating discipline
It is unfortunate that some “noble” professionals are mired in controversies. A school hostel in Maharashtra’s Latur was witness to the sordid saga of 32 students being thrashed with a bamboo stick, injuring a few, by a teacher who suspected that they damaged his motorcycle. Though the teacher has since been arrested, it now appears that teachers are no longer paragons of virtue. A school-going student obviously cannot be an embodiment of perfect manners. But the same cannot be said of a teacher who is expected to adhere to “professional ethics”. In good old days, teachers commanded respect, and students knew well that a teacher would not discipline them without reason. Welfare of students was paramount for the teachers. But now, things have turned topsy-turvy though there still are a lot of teachers who are respected across the board. There are many ways to discipline a student. Teachers should spare themselves of the ignominy of being educated on this aspect by others.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
