While it is not time to criticise the CM as the Travel and Tourism Association, Hotelier’s Association, the casino operators and many more organisations have approached him to restart the Economy.
However, while CM has decided to restart tourism, subject to approval from the Centre, no consideration has been given to the restart of schools. It has been almost one and half years since the children have not seen schools, which can have a catastrophic effect on their future. While our present is in a mess, we cannot allow our future to be destroyed.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkapronn
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant announced that the government has approached the Centre to restart international tourism post COVID19 pandemic. International tourism has been suspended since last March 2020 after teh outbreak of COVID19.
However, after the Chief MInister’s statement, one opines what is more important. CM is right in his place to restart tourism since the COVID19 cases have declined considerably.
However, we have not yet conquered the virus. There are speculations of third-wave hitting India yet again. While saying this, we have to also understand the cases in Kerala and Maharashtra are still in thousands and hence in no way we can lower our guard at this time.
Yes, the businesses are suffering. The CM has to take a decision to bail them out of the chaos. Every tourism stakeholder is suffering today with bank instalments, salaries of staff, taxes etc.
While it is not time to criticise the CM as the Travel and Tourism Association, Hotelier’s Association, the casino operators and many more organisations have approached him to restart the Economy.
However, while CM has decided to restart tourism, subject to approval from the Centre, no consideration has been given to the restart of schools.
It has been almost one and half years since the children have not seen schools, which can have a catastrophic effect on their future. While our present is in a mess, we cannot allow our future to suffer.
Needless to say, the Online Classes in Goa has been a disaster till now, and the government has failed to provide proper network connectivity even 18 months after teh pandemic struck.
The CM has announced higher education classes will go offline; that is fine as those students are above 18 and may have taken at least one dose, but what about the primary, secondary and higher secondary.
The students of SSC and HSSC are at the crossroads where they have to decide for their future, and the way their results are out with 99 p.c passing is a worrisome issue.
Agreed, unless the vaccines for the below 18 arrives, the government cannot do much to restart the offline classes, but why invite more trouble.
At least, get the connectivity in place. Where is the mobile tower policy? Why has the government not instructed the private network providers to install towers yet?
Inviting international tourists at this juncture will be inviting more trouble. We agree, CM’s decision will essentially solve the economic issues and bailout businesses, which is mandatory at this stage. But why was the government sleeping on school issues? Why has a diktat has not been issued to telecom operators to beef up their infrastructure?
We see rural students walking kilometres into teh forests, risking their lives to take online classes. Why does the CM not think of them before restarting tourism?
Whatever decision CM takes has to be well studied and not as per whims and fancies of some brainless advisors.
He needs to understand that for a better today, we cannot destroy Goa’s future.