Ragging at GMC
THE Health Minister of Goa, Mr Vishwajit Rane is reported to have said, ‘GMC ragging not so serious as to merit my intervention…’ Ragging, in any form, is a serious matter. There have been numerous cases where students have committed suicide after being ragged; and some even reportedly killed.

The Supreme Court of India has banned ragging; and there is a monitoring committee appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the implementation of its order. Therefore, the statement of the minister is tantamount to contempt of Court. As the minister who administers the GMC, he is responsible for any happening in it’s premises. Is he waiting for a serious incidence of ragging to happen before he intervenes?
SND POOJARY, Miramar

Migrant Control
OF late, we hear about a lot of illegal activities in Goa. This matter is further worsened by the influx of migrants into this small state, which sadly, does not have a proper system in place to control this flood. These migrants need to be identified and issued identification cards with valid reasons to stay and work in Goa for specific durations. They need their health check-ups done at the time of entry into Goa and also need to be provided with proper accommodation/sanitation/toilet facilities by their contractor, employer or whoever shelters them (through rented rooms-to-let) at their own responsibility. At present, our health, garbage and pollution problem is only increasing day-by-day and it is a shame for us Goans to see them defecating everywhere (on beaches, hills, forests, railway tracks, roadsides, etc). Although the Constitution of India guarantees its citizen the right of freedom to work and stay in any part of India, it is the duty of the state government to keep the influx under control.
AUGUSTUS ALPHONSO, Vasco

Waste of Taxpayer Money
NOT long ago reflectors were fixed along several roads in the state. All this must have come at great cost to the public exchequer. But in almost no time most of these reflectors have either been stolen, come off or been pushed below the surface of the road. Hence they do not serve the purpose for which they were affixed. Isn’t this a classic example of wastage of taxpayer money?
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco

Indo-Korea Relations
THIS is with reference to the article, ‘India, S Korea discuss ways to strengthen ties’ (NT, September 5). “A billion people in India will be thinking about Korea. This is the kind of importance we place on our bilateral relationship with Korea,” rightly remarked the Indian Ambassador to South Korea, Mr Skand R Tayal, on the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to India on the occasion of her 61st Republic Day. We should indeed buttress our ties with South Korea, a country with which our trade graph has shown a steep upward rise during the last two years. The process has already begun with the Jawaharal Nehru University and Delhi University launching special Korean studies and Korean language courses. Likewise, two South Korean Universities have also come up with Indian Studies Department. The single largest foreign direct investment in India is the South Korean Posco. Samsung, LG, Daewoo and Hyundai are well-known and well-accepted companies in India. On its part, India launched South Korea’s KITSAT-3 satellite. Let’s hope the civil nuclear treaty with Korea deepens and broadens this relationship and takes it from economic to strategic.
KANCHANA RAMANUJAM, Panaji

Margao Needs Ultra-Modern Bus Stand
I AM a regular commuter using the Margao city bus shed for almost 15 years now and I strongly feel there is an urgent need to improve the condition of the bus stand which presents a sorry sight, not only to local commuters but to the tourists who visit as well. The iron structure bus shed has deteriorated beyond repairs. There is always seepage of water in the rainy season. There are no proper toilets, not enough benches for commuters to rest, heaps of garbage and muck everywhere etc. All this causes discomfort for the public besides posing a serious threat to their health. There is also no proper stand for motorcycle pilots and rickshaws. The condition of the KTC canteen is pathetic and unhygienic. There is water seepage in the kitchen even when it is not raining. There are no proper toilets, nor is there proper resting place for the drivers/conductors. This bus shed was erected 23 years ago and was inaugurated by a former Chief Minister who had promised to build an ultra-modern bus stand in Margao city. But we are yet to witness such a dream in Goa. It is high time that a demand is made for a proper and full-fledged bus terminus for the city. The people of Salcete request the Goa government to protect the interest of the bus commuters and act in earnest.
ZINO CARVALHO, Davorlim