Urbanisation ruins
It is amusing to observe that the Commissioner of the CCP publicly announced that there is no definition of a Smart City. The irony of the situation is that the CCP has already appointed a consultant to prepare the plans for this undefined Smart City
We are reminded of the frenzy that accompanied a previous project to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Goa to induce industries to come here. We all know the outcome of that misdirected enthusiasm. Any serious student of urbanisation will tell you that urbanisation is a very bad thing. It not only caused physical discomfort by compressing people into small pigeon-holed accommodation and lack of open public spaces for recreational activities, it also created deep sociological problems such as anonymity and isolation. Violent crimes, addiction to drugs and alcoholic bevereges, prostitution and the break-up of families are all the products of unplanned and rapid urbanization.
Goa which was a sheer paradise has attracted people from other urban centres like, Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, who have sought to live a more relaxed and peaceful life, away from the bustle and bustle of their urban chaos. Goa has already been destroyed sociologically, culturally and psychologically.
Averthanus L. D'Souza, Dona Paula
Plastic waste
Goa is grappling with the problem of garbage disposal and a significant aspect of this is plastic waste management. It is pertinent to note that used milk packets form a large chunk of the plastic waste that is produced in the state. It is understood that Goa Dairy itself supplies about 85,000 liters of milk each day which is packed in about 1,17 000 plastic milk packets. Added to this are the milk packets that enter Goa every day from Karnataka. Some years ago Goa Dairy had announced a scheme wherein one free milk packet could be exchanged for every 100 used milk packets. This scheme was reportedly revised and introduced in schools so that for every 100 empty packets plastic the equivalent of the price of one milk packet would be deposited in the school account which could be used by the educational institution to provide good food items during school picnics, school gatherings, etc. However it is understood that as on now only 50 schools are reportedly taking advantage of this unique scheme.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Destroying the planet
It’s amusing to see the anti-red meat propaganda spread on social media by individuals and members of various organisations that support this move to ban bovine slaughter and the sale of beer. It’s interesting to know that killing a cow has such a drastic impact on the environment and that eating too much red meat causes cancer. Based on these studies, a large percentage of the world, and India too I may add, is killing the planet and themselves by eating red meat. Now if only vegetables weren’t sprayed with pesticide. This propaganda is embarrassing. You take away a person’s freedom of choice and now have to create media pieces to support that. Or just google search a few crazies.
Bhushan Kamat, Miramar
