Review the unwise move
The decision by the state government to start the academic year in April 20025 instead of June is perplexing and raises several concerns. Traditionally, the academic year has concluded in March, followed by a well-deserved two-month summer vacation. This break allowed students, teachers and parents to relax, rejuvenate, and prepare for the upcoming year. However, under the new system, the academic year will begin in April, only to be interrupted by a one-month vacation in May. This abrupt pause disrupts the continuity of learning and diminishes the effectiveness of the academic schedule. One of the major issues with this decision is the unnecessary pressure it places on students. The transition from March to April leaves them with little time to unwind, adding to their stress. As it is, students are already burdened with a vast syllabus, long hours of classes, and additional coaching. With schools functioning until 1:50 pm, the academic load is immense, leaving students with little time for extracurricular activities such as sports, arts and other recreational activities. These activities play a crucial role in overall personality development and should not be compromised for the sake of covering syllabus content into an overloaded calendar. Additionally, while implementing the national education policy, it is important to recognise that no policy is perfect. The decision to start the academic year in April is counterproductive and adds undue strain on students. The education department should reconsider this move and focus on creating a balanced, student-friendly academic schedule that promotes both learning and holistic development.
Samir Khan, Mapusa
No role for WhatsApp
The Supreme Court has ruled that police are not allowed to serve notices to the accused via WhatsApp or other electronic means under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) or the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal has instructed all states and Union territories to issue clear guidelines to the police on serving notices under Section 41A of the CrPC or Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023, using only legally recognised methods. In Goa, the police have often been known to bypass legal procedures—often barging into homes, harassing citizens, and even arresting innocent individuals, particularly those opposing illegalities or speaking out against government projects. These actions are typically carried out without proper documentation or notices, often under the influence of politicians, while police conduct their so-called investigations. It is hoped that the higher-ups in the Goa police will now take the top court’s directive seriously and ensure that officers adhere to proper legal protocols when carrying out their duties, instead of harassing innocent citizens under political pressure.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Goa at crossroads
The write-up ‘Microbes help detoxify atmosphere’ in the editorial page (NT, January 30, 2025) should serve as a wake-up call for the Goa government, administrators, and policymakers. For the past two decades, Goa, which once had a balanced ecological cycle, has suffered severe environmental degradation. The indiscriminate land conversions, the destruction of our mountains, forests, and fields, and their replacement by concrete jungles are glaringly evident. While many western countries focus on restoring and maintaining the natural balance, Goa seems to have become nothing more than a giant resort corporation, with little regard for environmental consequences. Greed has taken over, and the state is being sold off to wealthy non-Goans who buy second homes. This has led to not only an environmental disaster but also a social imbalance. The reality is that Goans do not need more homes at this rapid pace. Are policies being shaped to benefit the locals, or to satisfy the desires of non-Goan elites from Delhi? Today, second homes and land are being marketed by large non-Goan corporates and Bollywood stars, promoting them through glamorous advertisements. I urge the government to put an end to the commercialisation of Goa as a global resort, marketed to non-Goans at the cost of our pride, culture, identity, and the dignity of Goans. Goa must not be destroyed to satisfy the greed of outsiders.
Nilesh Lotliker, Benaulim
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.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
