Maintain Uniformity of Rumblers
OUTSIDE the St Cruz High School, there are two sets of rumblers on the narrow stretch of road. The rumblers, however, do not seem to serve much purpose as most drivers, proceeding either towards or from St Cruz Church, do not maintain the mandatory ‘keep left’.
This not only confuses the oncoming drivers but also the pedestrians, and especially the school children. The authorities need to put up a ‘Keep Left’ signboard at this spot. Another observation is that the speed breakers and rumblers in and around Taleigao differ in their dimensions. It is suggested that uniformity be maintained. Also, all rumblers must be erected until the end of the road, as it has been observed that two wheelers in an attempt to avoid the hindrance overtake from the left causing inconvenience to other users of the road.
SRIDHAR D IYER, Taleigao
Benefits of Sleep
IT’S exam time yet again. Children and young students are burning the midnight oil preparing for their exams. Many attempt a last-minute revision just before the paper. But research has now shown that an extra hour in bed in the morning during examinations is the key to success. Scientists of Oxford University found that teenagers have a biological predisposition to go to bed late and get up late, particularly during exams. Hence the brain is functional to the fullest late in the morning. Hence an extra hour in bed in the morning on the days of the exams does boost exam results. Parents of children who are answering exams would do well to take a note of the results of this research and not pressurise their wards during the exams; instead they should allow them to relax a little.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
Media as Watchdog
THIS is respect to the editorial ‘Absence of Modi’ (NT, March 22). There is a limit to wishful thinking that the Indian media often subjects itself to. As Mr Modi has pointed out in his open letter to the countrymen, March 21 was a Sunday and the SIT had not fixed March 21 for questioning. Some newspapers published a possibility that he may not appear and in their over enthusiasm other media published it as a fact. When you tell a particular lie many times it becomes the truth. I remember reading newspaper reports in 2002 which reported that Mr Ehsan Jaffery’s daughter was raped and killed, when in reality she was safe in the USA. The media’s role should be of a watchdog. They are by no means a judge of events; that must be best left to the judiciary.
AKSHAR PRABHU DESAI, Canacona
Security Lapse at Airport
IN yet another serious security lapse, a crude explosive has been recovered in the cargo section of a Kingfisher aircraft that arrived at Thiruvananthapuram from Bangalore. As usual efforts are being made to downplay the episode saying that it was a very small quantity of 20 grams low explosive gunpowder or that the objects were round metallic balls and further that it was not fitted with any detonator or timing device and could not have exploded by itself. Nonetheless, the main question is how did the explosive get inside the plane when every piece of bag and baggage is checked and individuals are screened! It has once again laid bare our security network and has exposed our carefree, ‘chalta hai’ attitude that alone has been instrumental in many of our downfalls. The lives of 31 people on board the aircraft including the crew was in danger. We are all well aware of the terrorist activities that are on a rampage all around our country, ever eager to ruthlessly strike. There is need for thorough investigation to unravel the evil designs and take strong action against the culprits.
MICHAEL VAZ, Merces
Irresponsible Govt Representatives
OUR anticipations were high when Mr Digambar Kamat took over as the Chief Minister of Goa. He harped on the aam admi administration and promised to work for the well-being of the people of Goa. But it has come to light now that he rules to satisfy his vested interests. The Kamat government supported by coalition partners is under attack and over-zealous politicians display their ignorance by their increasingly strange behaviour and contemptible language. What the citizens need is not frequent elections and undeserving politicians, but a bunch of intelligent representatives to run our government efficiently. The Kamat government has proved to be a failure. Corruption and bribery are at their peak. Long delays and inattentive staff in public offices infuriate the common man, and the uncooperative attitude of the government servants leaves him helpless and humiliated. The present political scenario going on in the state is indicative of nothing but the self-seeking interest and the irresponsible attitude of our representatives towards their electorate.
AYRES SEQUEIRA, Salvador do Mundo
