US hegemony
The capturing of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a US military operation have once again drawn global attention to Washington’s habitual interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. Whether through sanctions, covert operations, or unilateral declarations of authority, the United States continues to behave as a self-appointed global enforcer, unconstrained by international law. This conduct stands in stark contrast to Trump’s earlier posturing as a peacemaker. Before assuming office, he claimed the Russia-Ukraine war would never have occurred under his leadership and even hinted at Nobel Peace Prize ambitions. Such rhetoric now rings hollow against the backdrop of escalating conflicts and continued US militarism. President Maduro has been among the few world leaders to openly expose and condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza, severing ties and calling attention to mass civilian killings. If allegations such as drug trafficking or authoritarianism justify intervention, why has the US never acted against figures like Kim Jong-un or other long-standing dictators? What authority does the US have to police the world? If accountability were genuine, why has Washington not acted against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians—using American weapons, funds, and diplomatic cover? Trump’s assertion that the US will rule Venezuela till the “safe transitions” of power is completed, further exposes duplicity. Venezuela’s real offence appears to be its refusal to bow to US diktats and its vast oil resources. Increasingly, it also appears that US policy itself is driven by Israeli interests, raising uncomfortable questions about who truly shapes Washington’s decisions.
Samir Khan, Mapusa
Let it be safe joyride
Recently amusement rides at Bodgeshwar zatra in Mapusa were sealed by authorities due to safety concerns and were later de-sealed after inspections. The case calls for the urgent need to keep a constant and strict check on amusement rides to ensure public safety. Amusement rides are meant to provide joy and excitement especially to children. However, if equipment running joyrides are poorly maintained or operated without proper safety measures, they can become extremely dangerous. Mechanical failures, loose fittings, worn-out parts, and untrained operators can lead to serious accidents, injuries, or even loss of life. Therefore, safety should never be compromised for profit or entertainment. Regular inspection and certification on joyrides are essential. Authorities must ensure that every ride meets safety standards before it is opened to the public. Operators must be properly trained and should follow safety rules without exception. Clear instructions and warning signs should be displayed for riders, including age limits and health warnings. Emergency measures must be in place to handle unexpected situations. Visitors should avoid overcrowded or poorly managed joyrides and report unsafe conditions to authorities. Parents should be especially cautious while allowing children to use amusement rides. Keeping a constant watch on joyrides is not just a legal duty but also a moral responsibility to protect lives. There needs to be a policy in place to control such joyrides.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
‘Four Es’ of road safety
‘Road safety is life safety’ – nothing can be more true. Road safety is not just about speed restriction, curbing drunken driving and ensuring maintenance of regulations. There are other facets to it hinging on overall supervision. It includes broader aspects like proper audits, state-of-the-art training and upkeep of technology. Spreading awareness and engaging citizens about crucial road rules are equally important. Education, enforcement, engineering and emergency are the ‘Four Es’ of road safety. All these are the aims and objectives of the National Road Safety Month in January, in vogue from 2021. Road design and accident audits, driver training and licensing methods are particularly focused upon. Additionally, it aims to drive home the criticality of emergency services on roads apart from distinct identification of dark spots that cause mishaps.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
A warning sign for Goa
The year 2025 marked a period of cynicism and resignation, where public outrage faded without results and the unacceptable slowly became normal. Society now stands deeply divided along lines of religion, hyper-nationalism, caste, ideology, and gender. Intolerance, crime, and violence are on the rise. Goa’s social fabric is rapidly disappearing. Its village tranquility, forests, wildlife, clean waterbodies, farmlands, and natural drainage systems that once prevented floods are being replaced by unchecked urbanisation and pollution. This once-beautiful land is fast turning into a concrete jungle. Silence and inaction only weaken democracy further. The absence of a people’s charter and the exclusion of stakeholders from decision-making are alarming. Gram sabhas and citizens must demand transparency, accountability, and consultation.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Centrality of birth certificate
In India, the birth certificate is the foundational document for establishing date of birth and citizenship. However, its use as a mandatory primary identity document is limited and inconsistent across government services. For individuals born in India, the birth certificate should be recognised as the sole and mandatory primary ID for essential services such as school admissions, passport issuance, and voter registration. At present, documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards are widely used, while the birth certificate—despite being the most authentic proof of citizenship—lacks formal recognition as a primary ID, mainly because it does not carry a photograph. To address this gap, India should introduce a photo-enabled Indian birth certificate card. This card should serve as the primary national identity document, supported by digital verification and scanning capabilities. The document should be used to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment, voter registration, school admissions, marriage registration, and other essential services. Individuals without birth certificates should be registered through due inquiry to ensure compliance and inclusion. A single, birth-based national ID system—‘One Bharat, One ID’—will help establish genuine citizenship, prevent bogus identities, and ensure that government benefits reach rightful citizens.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
