Polluting Cuncolim
It was interesting and revealing to read a letter ‘Industrial Pollution’ by Joel Morais from Cuncolim (Herald, July 12, 2012) on aspects connected with Industrial pollution in Cuncolim. I thank him for frankly expressing his views.
 Every detail about the selfishness mushrooming amongst some individuals in Cuncolim would be best known to Joel. I also believe that with others, Dr Jorsen Fernandes and perhaps Joel Moraes too will work towards improving quality of life in Cuncolim.
However, since OscarMartins was in touch with me regularly about pollution in Cuncolim, he sought my help in petitioning the High Court and the Supreme Court, and knew about my interactions with the Goa State Pollution Control Board on this issue. I stressed on his role in this context in my article ‘Is Cuncolim Goa’s paradise lost’, (Herald, July9, 2012).
Recently, ( but long after I had given Herald the article on Cuncolim), I met Dr Jorsen in Panjim and got to know more about his tireless work. Surely, Cuncolienkars should wage a war against pollution. I yearn for Cuncolim to regain its past glory, in the interest of Goa and Goans.
                               Dr Joe D’Souza, Panaji

Spreading illnesses
Malaria has raised its ugly head once again in Goa; we are bringing this scourge upon ourselves. Many of the areas affected particularly the Northern tourist coastal belt are rampant with all sorts of illegalities for commercial purposes. This has resulted in severe sewage problems allowing Malaria to spread viciously. These same areas are also witnessing rampant constructions, which have only worsened the situation.
Many Corrupt Goans and non- Goans, appear to have scant regard to the environment and common sense laws, guidelines and regulations, in order to make a fast buck. What is worse is that the public at large (local and NRI Goans) are too complacent to say or do anything to address the core issues, lest they upset their family members, friends, fellow villagers etc. involved in the illegalities or maybe they themselves have stake in the illegalities.
Goans have to see “the writing on the wall” and each do their part to address the core issue, instead of living in denial and pretending all is good in Amche Goem.
                                  Arwin Mesquita, UAE

Private vehicles
This refers to the news report “Private vehicles transporting school children.”(Herald July 8, 2012). This issue has been coming up more than once – either in the context of these vehicles being unsafe due to overloading or for valid permits, as mentioned in this report. The concerned district authorities should tackle the issue of safety of the children first. A handful of like-minded people could sit across the table and come up with some kind of concrete solutions like shuttle service from certain areas in and around Margao only for school children. The vehicles for this service should be either from the KTC or from some private agency but controlled by the district authorities to avoid problems of overcrowding and overcharging. This service would ease traffic congestion in the city to a great extent especially during peak hours, since there would be a considerable reduction in private vehicles entering the city. Furthermore, we will also contribute to saving the environment by reducing pollution and it will be a big relief to us parents that our children are being driven to and from school safely.
                         Sharmila D’Silva, Navelim

Undemocratic move
The media report that the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly has issued orders barring photographers and live telecast of the proceedings during the ongoing monsoon session is just not democratic.
What is the motive of the speaker to gag the public who have voted the present BJP to run the governance? In a democracy aren’t the voters entitled to watch the proceedings live?
All over the world most democracies telecast proceedings live including in both the houses of our Parliament. Why it is that only in Goa, especially this time, the Speaker is trying to impose an opaque picture of the Legislative Assembly proceedings?
Amy Mendes, Corjuem

Retrograde Step
Being a Democracy and in these days of RTI and Facebook, it is reported that the Speaker has banned live coverage by private TV channels as hitherto during proceedings of the monsoon session, and reporters permitted only during Question Hour.
When galleries in the Assembly Hall have been created for public, why these restrictions? Why must the Speaker release content only after censoring/editing it? Are we expected to go under RTI to know the answers to these questions?
                       John Eric Gomes, Porvorim

Experts, indeed!
Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane has advised the Government to let the experts decide on the MoI. ‘’ Let the experts decide ‘’ has been the bane of our socio-economic political life for far too long a time. Our beloved maharajas, rajas, etc., always relied on the Brahmin’s expert advice to govern their territories. And yet, what has our political history of the last two thousand years  been like?  So , instead of relying on the cabal of ‘’experts’’ let the Government listen to the real experts at the ground level i.e. parents of the children themselves.
                           AC Menezes, Chinchinim