Electric mobility
Riding an electric two-wheeler is generally considered cheaper than a petrol-based scooter or motorbike, as owning such electric vehicles lead to significant savings on fuel cost over time. Rising fuel prices and regular maintenance contribute to higher running costs in case of petrol-based two-wheelers. Electric bikes produce zero tailpipe emissions, thus contributing to cleaner air, while the petrol vehicles pollute air due to their exhaust emission. Electric motors are significantly quieter than the petrol engines. Both, electric and petrol bikes have their own pros and cons but in conclusion, if one prioritises affordability, environmental responsibility and city commuting, an electric bike is a strong contender.
Ashok S Shenvi, Old Goa
Uttarakhand HC judgment
A vaccine scientist had married on May 7, 2015, and his wife committed suicide on December 14, 2015, leaving a note that her husband was responsible for it. He was allegedly found guilty of abetment of his wife’s suicide and was arrested on May 17, 2017, spent three months in jail and was bailed out on August 28. On January 21, 2025, sessions judge sentenced him to a five-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) and fined him Rs 20,000. In an interim application, his counsel argued that as the conviction had a direct impact on “work of national importance,” the conviction should be suspended else, it would lead to injustice. Recently, the Uttarakhand High Court suspended the conviction and granted relief from RI. The judge said the scientist’s role was “undoubtedly essential for public health and national interest”. “And if he is convicted then he would be ineligible to contribute to the vaccine programme.” Can one apply similar logic and reasoning and release when a corrupt politician is arrested as s/he is an integral part of governance, a parent or parents who if arrested would leave behind orphaned children, a hardcore criminal who may be the sole earning member in a family? Apparently, it appears that as per one’s profession and standing in the society, a person is indispensable and above the law of the land.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Stray dog menace
This is with reference to the news report ‘Move stray dogs from Delhi roads to shelters: Top court’ (NT August 12). The Supreme court order is a welcome direction, coming a day not too soon, and applies not only to the streets of Delhi but also to the neighbouring areas of Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad. As per the order, dog shelters have to be provided by the civic authorities with CCTV surveillance and adequate personnel to look after the strays, sterilise and immunise them and prevent them from leaving the shelters. It is hoped that the order is extended to other states as well, and Goa, in particular, where the stray dog menace is at its peak and sterilisation programmes have flopped miserably to stop their proliferating numbers. Stray dogs continue to attack people, terrorise residential areas, morning walkers, two-wheeler riders, tourists on beaches and above all, children, who have been mauled to death. It is time for the ‘so-called dog lovers’ to take note of the apex court’s observances and order.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
KTC bus service
People residing in the villages of Anjuna and Arpora are facing a lot of inconvenience due to the lack of a passenger bus service from Anjuna to Mapusa via Arpora since the last three years. Three buses that earlier plied on the route have stopped services. The people are demanding that at least a Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) bus service should be started on the route at the earliest. Approximately four kilometres of road stretch from Anjuna to Arpora lack a passenger bus service and people residing in these areas are forced to walk at least 1.5 kilometres to board buses of Chapora and Calangute routes.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Recycling food waste
The terms ‘reduce, recycle, realign’ likely refer to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and the concept of realigning our approach to waste management and resource consumption. The three ‘Rs’ are core principles of sustainability, promoting waste reduction, material reuse and recycling to minimise environmental impact. Realigning emphasises shifting our mindset and practices towards more sustainable and efficient methods. This means a country where people from every walk of life take pride and pleasure in, and benefit from, the food they produce, buy, cook, serve and eat each day. This commitment sets out our intention to ensure that we appreciate our food. But it is also increasingly important that we see our food as something that has real value; something we should not casually over purchase, over-consume or throw in the landfill bin. Food waste in landfill is harming our environment and contributing to climate change. Recycling food waste stops that waste going into landfill. Eighty per cent of Indian households have access to food waste recycling, so there is no excuse for most of us not to recycle our food waste.
Jayanthy Subramaniam, Mumbai