Stunting tree growth for art
We human beings will go to any extent to involve in making things that are pleasing to the eyes. There is no harm in indulging in the exercise as long as such a move does not harm and torture other life forms. Plants do have life. Plants also have feelings. This has been proved time and again. Bonsai, which is considered an “art”, is carried out by pruning and cutting the branches and leaves and thereby stunting the growth of the plant which would have otherwise grown into majestic tree in nature. The trees are forced to grow in small pots. This process is carried out over several years. This dwarfing of the tree could be a very painful experience to the tree. Imagine a human being holed up in a cage to stunt its growth. People protest against trees being cut. What about stunting the growth of trees through the “art” of Bonsai?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Mindset for safety
Road Safety Week is celebrated every year in January by the traffic police. Many NGOs join them in conducting events in schools, colleges and other institutions. NGOs do a commendable job in educating citizens, but somehow ‘road safety’ lands up becoming a kind of ritual which is done one week in January and forgotten on other days of the year.
Roads are single biggest killers in India. In a year, close to 1.5 lakh people die and around 14 lakh people sustain serious injuries in road related accidents. Goa’s case, like in rest of the Country, is no different. The number of vehicles owned proportional to the population is substantially higher than in other parts.
Enforcing good traffic discipline all year round is not an easy task. But if all stake holders come together and put in combined spirited efforts, then the task is not a difficult one either. The biggest challenge before the Central Government will be to amend the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rules which needs intervention of both the houses of Parliament. Fines prescribed in the present act are nominal and do not serve as a strong deterrent. The state government on their part must implement a series of measures, starting from building better, safer roads and infrastructure using sound road engineering techniques. Setting up fast track courts to deal with accident cases should be another priority area as at present it takes years for cases to be settled.
Presently, Goa lacks a good public transport system and if this can be put in place especially on busy urban roads, then the number of vehicles plying on roads will substantially reduce which will ease congestion. People must also be encouraged to walk and cycle by providing good and safe pavements and cycling tracks. Local bodies must ensure footpaths are kept strictly free from all forms of encroachments.
The citizen too has a very important role to play in all this as the traffic police cannot be expected to be anywhere and everywhere. Whenever there is a traffic violation, this needs to be reported. Traffic Police have their Facebook page for reporting such violations and citizens can now simply click the photograph of the violation and post it on their page.
Sandeep Heble, Panaji
