Stray dog menace
On August 14, a three-bench panel gave a direction on Delhi’s stray dog menace. The court initially gave a direction to municipal corporations to find shelters or pounds for the strays within eight weeks. The judgment was not accepted by animal lovers, especially the dog lovers, who came onto the street. Dogs are fed by many, including NGOs, but stray dogs cannot be left in human habitations to attack and bite people, leading to rabies in some cases. The court has also said that the matter is not to be contested but to be resolved. Dog bite cases are on the rise and around 10,000 cases have been reported with a few deaths too. Goa has also witnessed dog bite cases and death of a child. The court mentioned about failure on the part of the civic bodies and the government authorities with regard to sterilisation and birth control of the strays. The court is of the opinion that only proper shelter can prevent the menace and bring down the cases of rabies and death. Decision of the court reflects a solution to prevent the growing menace while providing the required space to the canines to live.
-Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Rising coconut prices
Goa is well known as a state of sun, sand, sea and swaying palms. Coconuts form an integral part of Goan cooking. Their demand increases during the festive season of every community. However, the price of coconut at present has become prohibitive for people belonging to the low income group. It is understood that the state government has stepped in with a move to import coconuts from neighbouring Karnataka in order to make them available at a subsidised rate. Karnataka is now the biggest coconut producing state in India. The state alone produces 28.5% of India’s coconuts. Coconut is a significant horticultural crop in Goa and its cultivation occupies a large area. Goa’s coconut economy is thriving, but there is a growing need for skilled coconut harvesters. There are also hybrid varieties being promoted to increase yield and productivity. It is learnt that the government would be selling the coconuts on a no-profit no-loss basis. But at the same time, the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd (GSHCL) will reportedly purchase coconuts at Rs 40 each and sell them at Rs 45 per nut. Does this not amount to making a profit of Rs 5 per nut? There cannot be a uniform price for the coconuts; the price should depend on the size of the nut. Coconuts at subsidised rates should be made available for household consumption and those nuts being sold to the hotel industry could be sold at a profit. Procuring coconuts from Karnataka should be a stop-gap arrangement and not a long-time move. Goa’s coconut industry faces challenges like declining production and productivity, potentially due to factors like neglected plantations, labour shortages and the high cost of inputs.
-Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Identity crisis
Identity confusion for Indian citizens is being compounded by multiple authorities, including the Supreme Court. By its latest ruling that the Aadhaar card is not proof for Indian citizenship, it is opening a Pandora’s Box. When the Aadhaar card was launched and thereafter deployed with gusto and much fanfare, it was touted to be the final ‘be all’ and ‘end all’ of all confusion related to the citizenship of all Indians. Now we are told that it is a card only for identity. At the same time, the EPIC card, issued by the Election Commission, is not being accepted by the poll panel itself as proof of citizenship, neither is the PAN card accepted for the purpose. If cards issued by government departments and statutory authorities are not accepted, then there is a serious issue on what the government is doing. Each time authorities come up with a new story to make citizens go through exercises to prove what already exists and is the truth. After the Aadhaar card was made compulsory, it was further pushed to be first linked to the PAN card and later linked to bank accounts. The basic question remains, how many cards does an Indian citizen need to prove his identity, citizenship and to avail services. Why can we not have just one card? Why can’t we have a citizenship card that uses a SIM so that all the information required by the various government departments is stored in it?
– S Kamat, Mysuru
Beyond words
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 103-minute Independence Day address was not just the longest, but arguably one of the most defining. While critics may focus on the duration, the depth of themes ranging from governance to global aspirations deserved the time. In an age of soundbites, such detailed articulation reflects leadership unafraid of depth. Yet speeches must also inspire action; words must translate into trust and tangible change. A long speech is only as impactful as the sincerity behind it. Let this not just be a record of time, but a record of intent realised.
-Vijaykumar H K, Raichur
