A HORRIFYING AIR DISASTER

THE air crash involving that Ahmedabad-London Gatwick bound Air India flight has been horrific. The authorities will investigate what caused that horrendous crash that snuffed away so many precious lives within a minute of the aircraft taking off. In addition, to add to the tragedy were the lives lost and those injured who were in the medical hostel and neighbourhood into which the ill-fated aircraft crashed.
One wonders how construction of these buildings was allowed so close to the airport while the law requires that a buffer zone be maintained around airports. Similarly, in Goa around the Dabolim Airport so many high-rise residential buildings have been allowed in clear violation of law.
On the late evening of April 2nd, I was to take a London Gatwick Air India flight to Goa’s Mopa Airport. As we were all getting ready to board the flight, we were told that the flight was being cancelled, as there was a problem with the emergency lights. The 250 odd passengers comprising mostly of Goans were outraged, furious and fuming. Late that night we were herded into a London hotel and our flight to Goa was rescheduled for the next evening. In hindsight, it was worth the delay and inconvenience, but to gladly reach Goa safely and return to London after a week on the now controversial Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
May lessons be learnt from this disastrous air crash so that all precautions and safety measures are taken to ensure safety of passengers and the crew. We are in an age where we spend a lot of hours in airspace and life as we know must go on.
—Aires Rodrigues, London

SCIENCE ADVANCES WITH WAR TECHNOLOGY!
THE progress of science has made human life easier and better, but at the same time, science is also being used for war and destruction.
Science has made great progress in many fields, such as medicine, technology and communication. This has improved the quality of life of man, but the same science is also being used to make weapons and wage war, which causes a lot of destruction. Therefore, it is important that science is used for good work and for maintaining good peace in the world. But optimistic competitions lead to degradation.
“Yet, despite these spectacular advances in science and technology, and despite the boundless progress still to come, something fundamental is missing. There is a kind of poverty of the soul that is the exact opposite of our scientific and technological abundance. As we have become materially rich, we have become morally and spiritually poor. We have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together like brothers.” These thoughts belong to a scientist, Nobel Prize-winner Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr was the Nobel Prize Winner in 1964. At that time tears welled up in many eyes listening to his lecture. His thoughts have become a prophecy today. Although the reasons are various, there is no reason for peace at all. Because of optimism, man is moving towards devastation.
Then, what is the use of advanced science and technology? And what is the hope for tomorrow? Does advancement of scientific technologies mean destruction of the world!
—Rajesh Banaulikar, Veigaswado, Arpora

CRZ VIOLATION AT VARCA BEACH
THIS is to inform the public that the The Department of Tourism, government of Goa, has taken serious cognizance of a recent incident involving illegal activities along the Varca beach stretch. A video clipping dated June 18, 2025 submitted to the department, reveals a vehicle (JCB) engaged in unauthorized sand extraction and alteration of natural dune features, actions that are strictly prohibited under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act, 2001.

The Illegal activity constitutes a clear violation of environmental norms and has prompted the Department of Tourism to forward the matter to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Colva Police Station.
The department remains committed to the protection of Goa’s coastal and natural heritage. Any activity detrimental to the environment, especially in sensitive coastal zones, will not be tolerated. Strict action will be pursued in accordance with the law. We have urged the concerned authorities to initiate appropriate legal and regulatory steps against the violators and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
—Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Goa