Rise in hit-and-run cases in Goa
A 21-year-old youth from Porvorim has reportedly been arrested on charges of rash and negligent driving after his Mercedes car struck and seriously injured a woman in a hit-and-run case in Siolim on Tuesday. The accused fled the scene without informing the authorities or administering first-aid to the injured woman. Be that as it may, it must be said that there has been a rise in the number of hit-and-run cases being reported in the state. While such accidents can leave the victim physically maimed for life, it can also lead to fatality. In the recent past in a hit-and-run case reported at Dhargal, Pernem, during detailed investigation the police have reportedly concluded that the deceased was indeed murdered by the accused persons. It is learnt that the accused persons allegedly killed the victim over a petty dispute and tried to pass it off as a hit-and-run case. It seems prudent for the police to investigate hit-and-run cases from the murder/attempt to murder angle also if there is even the slightest suspicion. Vehicles could be used as “murder weapons” by those wanting to commit murder with the intention of getting away with the crime. A hit-and-run can result in a driver’s license being cancelled, fines, and detention. In India, the Motor Vehicle Act states that compensation is available for victims of hit-and-run. Any CCTV footage available from neighbouring places where the accident took place should be utilized to trace the vehicle responsible for the accident and the driver booked. People who are witness to a hit-and-run case need to be alert and note down the registration number of the fleeing vehicle which should be reported to the police for tracing the vehicle.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Trump slams India funding
US President Donald Trump has once again questioned the United States’ decision to allocate $21 million for voter turnout efforts in India. Speaking at the FII Priority Summit in Miami, he said, “$21 million for voter turnout, why do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout in India?” Trump expressed his respect for India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but wondered why the US needs to spend millions on voter turnout in a foreign country. He further argued that India, with its strong economy and high tariffs on US goods, doesn’t need such financial support. “They got a lot of money. They’re one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us. We can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high.” Hence, the $21 million allocation was part of a larger list of international aid programs cancelled by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. One has to agree that the Indian election means money spent like flood water. There is no doubt a lot of money white and black is used. Then who knows that foreign funding is also not another source? Hope NDA Government should come out clearly, who revived this 21-million-dollar (about 176 crore rupees) and how this money was distributed. As reported earlier, the money can’t be received by the Election Commission legally. Interestingly, Amit Malviya, who is in charge of BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, expressed concern about foreign interference in India’s electoral process. One doesn’t live in fool’s paradise to hear Malviya’s concern, thinking that BJP was not using these funds. Whatsoever, this is a grave revelation and having serious implications for Indian democracy, if it is not probed and guilty not punished.
Bidyut Chatterjee, Faridabad
US-Russia thaw
The US and Russia have agreed on initial steps to re-establish their cold bilateral relationship with Washington pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine. The deal happened in Riyadh with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his counterpart Sergei Lavrov doing the spadework for the summit. Unfortunately, European leaders remained in the uninvited list. The fact that Saudi Arabia is the venue for talks has sent some right vibes hinting at the nod from Middle East’s most-powerful man, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for a patch-up in the making. Trump’s push for stability with Russia is rooted in a sense of realism and his initiative to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin has literally led to the end of Russia’s isolation. Moscow had faced the music since its invasion of Crimea and later the aggression on Ukraine with crippling Western sanctions. The change of heart by America towards Russia has now put the American allies in a quandary as they are unsure of what follows next with Kiev excluded from being a direct party to the talks in Riyadh. If Trump wants to build his reset on a strong foundation, he should strive towards a settlement that is acceptable to all parties – the US, Russia, Europe and Ukraine.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
