Root out drinking
at public places
This is with reference to the letter ‘Liquor woes’ by Jerry Fernandes (NT, January 30, 2025). It cannot be denied that one of the main reasons why tourists flock to Goa is the easy and cheap availability of liquor, especially the local feni and Urak which are the specialities of Goa, and unavailable elsewhere in the country. Liquor being the main attraction for tourists and also the golden goose of the Goa government that contributes significantly to its economy, no government would take chances and experiment by reducing liquor licences in the state. Therefore, if Goa’s image, culture, and law and order are to be maintained, it is the duty of the police to crack down on those vitiating the atmosphere by drinking in public places and creating nuisance. Another option is to ban the sale of liquor within a radius of 100 metres or more, around school, colleges and places of worship, and making drinking in public a punishable offence.
AF Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Canine terror on beaches
In yet another canine attack, a foreigner was attacked by five dogs on the Mobor beach, once again bringing to the fore the safety of tourists and other visitors to the beach. Tourism stakeholders have raised concerns over increasing dog bite cases impacting tourism in South Goa. It is a fact that the number of stray dogs on the beaches has increased by leaps and bounds and it is scary to go for a walk on the beach alone, especially after dusk. Stray dogs may attack humans due to a combination of factors including fear, hunger, protecting their territory, feeling threatened, previous negative experiences with humans and sometimes even rabies. Reducing the stray population can help mitigate the risk of dog attacks. Animal rights experts said the only long-term solution to the issue is sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs. Over a period, as the dogs die natural deaths, their numbers dwindle. It is pertinent to note that stray dogs are significantly more likely to attack when they are in packs, as their pack mentality can trigger aggressive behaviour, especially when defending territory or feeling threatened, making them a much greater danger compared to a single stray dog. As per records available with the department of animal husbandry (statistics division), Goa is home to an estimated 56,000 stray dogs. It may not be possible to free all the beaches of stray dogs due to its porous nature. However, those stray dogs which move in packs need to be trapped and moved to the dog shelter.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Affordable cafés at airports
It was heartening to read that India’s first and only ‘affordable food outlet’ was recently inaugurated by the Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu at Kolkata’s airport during its centenary celebration. The UDAN Yatri Café, situated outside the airport, was an instant hit and within a month 27,000 passengers, at an average of 900 people per day, have used the café for reasonable prices. The café has been set up because a countrywide survey revealed that a significant percentage of passengers were upset at the more than 200% price increase in foods and drinks that are sold at airports, compared to restaurants and at railway stations. It is understandable that the facilities at airports are different, unique, spacious and do not come cheap when compared to railway stations. Since the rentals are high, the eateries and other stores overprice their products to make a killing. The government could intervene and ask the airport operators (AAI and private) to lower the rents to a decent level which could in turn help the eateries to reduce their prices. The ministry could start UDAN Yatri cafés at other airports too to lessen the financial burden of the passengers, who already pay through their noses for air tickets that soar during holiday seasons and on particular routes.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Crowd mismanaged
The stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, confirms India’s dubious distinction of having the greatest number of deaths during religious gatherings. Despite the installation of AI-powered surveillance cameras, the stampede could not be prevented. The incident raises critical questions about the adequacy of crisis management and emergency protocols in such overcrowding and overwhelming scenarios. Sadly, we have not learnt lessons from earlier tragedies at Kumbh Melas or religious congregations. What has been even more disturbing was the UP government’s delay in formally announcing the fatalities and those injured, clearly deviating from established protocols of transparency during disasters. It is reminiscent of the opacity of CM Yogi Adityanath government in that state after the widespread deaths during the second Covid-19 wave in March 2021, the scale of which was evident later when horrific images of bodies floating in the Ganga emerged. Nevertheless, the stampede should prompt the Mela organisers to review security arrangements and do course correction as three more ‘shahi snans’ are scheduled before the Maha Kumbh ends on February 26.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Obsession with religiosity
Recently China has come up with a low cost super powerful AI programme ‘Deep Seek’ which is non-proprietary open source, so that the common man can benefit, build upon and improve for users in the future. Another Chinese private company Alibaba has launched an AI module which it claims is more powerful than Deep Seek. And what are we Indians doing? Taking a dip in a polluted river, hoping that it will wash away our sins not realising that we are sinning against our future generations by not doing the things that we ought to be doing. We are digging religious structures trying to uncover ancient temples. We are showering rose petals on youth who are carrying water from a place to another place, all in the name of religion. We are standing hundreds of hours in queues to get a view of an idol and are being punched and pushed ahead when we reach the feet of the idol.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
