Innocent lives snuffed out
It is shocking to note that a tragic stampede occurred at the Shree Lairai Devi temple during the annual jatra at Shirgao in the early hours of Saturday. Six people have reportedly died, and 60 others sustained injuries. It is probably the first time that Goa has witnessed so many deaths in a stampede. Thousands of devotees from Goa and neighbouring states attend the annual festival. Many devotees were standing on a slope near the temple. A few people fell on the slope, causing others to fall on top of them. Of the 60 injured, eight are reportedly in critical condition, including two on ventilator support. They have been referred to the Goa Medical College at Bambolim for advanced care. Incidentally, this year the jatra saw the largest-ever police deployment of more than 1,000 personnel for security and smooth proceedings. Drones were used to maintain aerial surveillance on crowd movement. A riot control vehicle was also stationed at the venue. However, no one expected a stampede to take place at the site. What is vital when there is a gathering of such a large crowd at one spot is strict crowd management and immediate emergency response. People falling from the slope were probably the primary reason for the stampede, as they fell on one another. When a large number of people gather at a spot, the ground needs to be level in order to prevent people from slipping and falling. This aspect needs to be looked into by the authorities in the future.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Double standards
It was heart-wrenching to read about the terrible stampede at Shirgao during the ongoing annual jatra of Goddess Lairai. Six innocent people lost their lives. Various reasons are being floated for the cause of the stampede and whether the authorities were fully prepared. Now that the Chief Minister has formed a committee to look into the matter, the people will get to know the actual picture. As a mark of respect, several state-sponsored programmes and celebrations have been either cancelled or postponed. Hats off to the Chief Minister for this noble gesture. Contrast this with the major attack on India when 26 tourists were killed by terrorists on April 22 at Pahalgam. Even during that time, some events were cancelled in Goa, but cricket’s money-spinning Indian Premier League was in full swing. Although the players wore black bands and the captains mouthed a few words of sympathy, these were not enough. The IPL should have been cancelled, and the game could have been played on another day.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Upgrade water storage
It’s impossible to predict exactly how many times a water pipeline will burst in Goa. The reasons could be logical or countless. The most technical reason would be the high pressure of water in the pipeline. However, recent reports indicate that water pipeline bursts are becoming more frequent, particularly in areas where underground cabling and sewerage lines are being laid. These incidents often occur due to construction work damaging existing water pipelines. For example, a pipeline burst at Guirim was caused by cable work, and another at Duler due to excavation for a new pipeline. Additionally, a pipeline burst in Assonora recently led to water supply disruptions in Mapusa and the Bardez areas. Now the question is: Is there any alternate provision for the main water pipeline? No. Water supply should be a long-term vision of the government, for which an alternative main pipeline should be laid down as part of the infrastructure. A state like Goa is a champion of development, isn’t it? So, Goa could achieve the objective. After every 25 kilometres, huge water tanks could be constructed for storing water, connected to the main water pipeline to avoid pressure build-up. Stored water could be supplied to people in the event of pipeline damage.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Celebrating Portuguese
‘Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa’ or World Portuguese Language Day, is observed on May 5 every year with great pomp and romance by about 265 million people who speak Portuguese around the world. It is a language known for its old-world charm, which is also dear to Goans, who have been showered with graces by the Portuguese government by being entitled to obtain Portuguese citizenship. This has been instrumental in providing avenues for three generations of Goans to seek gainful employment abroad. It is pertinent to note that the celebrated Portuguese bard who wrote the mammoth Lusiads, a poem consisting of 8,816 lines, produced a fantastic epic that no Portuguese language lover should miss watching on YouTube—a tour de force that is a most significant symbol of the aura of this beautiful language. The Portuguese language, which has similarities to Spanish, Italian, Latin, and even English, is one of the most charming with its unique grammar. This language has held a special magical charm since November 25, 1510, when Afonso de Albuquerque set foot in Goa. It should be our endeavour to spread the usage of the Portuguese language as a matter of heritage.
Elvidio Miranda, Panaji
