Shirgao stampede
The stampede that occurred recently near the Lairai temple in Shirgao was an unfortunate incident. The tragedy occurred when ‘dhonds’ (devoted followers of Goddess Lairai) were standing on the slope of the main village road, some metres away from the ‘homkund’, waiting to walk over the burning coals. Seven people, including two from a family, died and over 70 sustained injuries in the tragedy. The incident is perhaps the first of its kind after so many years of following the tradition. The incident occurred despite the government making arrangements for tight security with drone cameras at the festival. It is not right to blame the government for whatever happened, but the crowd management did go out of control for a while. Participants at such festivals should take care not to create chaos and should follow a proper queue system. First-aid facility should be provided at such events that see huge gatherings. Moreover, no stalls should be allowed on sides of the road leading to the ‘homkund’, as the stretch is narrow. The temple committee should register all the ‘dhonds’ and give clear instructions to them to be followed on the day of the event.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Swimming pool deaths
A three-year-old girl reportedly drowned in a swimming pool at a resort in Agonda after she accidentally fell into it. A few days ago, a five-year-old girl from Bihar allegedly drowned in a swimming pool of a five-star hotel at Arpora. In the past too, several incidents have been reported of little children, who were left unattended straying to hotel swimming pools and meeting a watery grave. Such tragic incidents can turn a vacation into a tragedy for family members of the victim. Now every hotel worth its name has a swimming pool. As a matter of fact, even posh housing colonies do have swimming pools. The swimming pools should have at least a supervisor, if not a lifeguard, keeping a watch on the pool throughout the day. It is learnt that more children in the age of 1-5 die of drowning than any other cause. Children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water. When not in use, swimming pools need to have a four-sided detachable fence that is at least four feet in height and fully encloses the pool. The hotel management should remove all toys from pool area that might attract children to the pool when the pool is not in use. Parents should designate a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water. Adults watching children in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading, using phone and consuming alcohol. Life jackets should be used by children for all activities while in and around a swimming pool. Swimming pool safety entails heavy responsibility in the hotel hospitality field. The hotel staff should be familiar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Safer flyovers
Accidents on flyovers are on the rise in India. It is an irony that the very step to decongest roads and streamline traffic is proving to be hazardous to vehicular flow. No policeman can regulate drivers on flyovers. So it becomes important to think of novel ideas to infuse a semblance of discipline among the drivers. The time taken by a vehicle to travel from the entrance of a flyover to the exit can be a handy way of identifying over-speeding drivers. The method, however, needs appropriate technology and exemplary hard work to see the light of day. While deviating from the correct lane may prove to be a mistake on highways, such blunders could prove fatal on flyovers. Normally, flyover roads are bound by a parapet wall on one side and a median on the other. At night, the glare of the vehicles approaching from the opposite side may blur a driver’s vision. Architects must incorporate newer methods of parapet and median wall construction, laying much emphasis on design that offers convenience and comfort to drivers, keeping in mind safety aspects. Much has been said about the height and material of the parapets and medians – these require a regular review.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Student suicides
The recent trend of suicides even amongst IIT students is a serious and sad issue. Education ministers must set up an inquiry to ferret out the truth and address the problem in the best possible way. Educational institutions are supposed to be places where students feel secure and excited to learn. There may be cases of students who are not able to cope up with the course contents, in which case such students should be given some counselling and asked to do something of their choice. The students should be made to feel comfortable even if they are not capable of pursuing a particular discipline. We must focus on our strengths and accept our weaknesses. Committing suicide is not an option under any circumstance.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
