Cricket making a comeback
Cricket all over the world is slowly and steadily trying to get back on its feet after being suspended since March in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. IPL is the most interesting event and also a world famous series. The announcement of IPL 2020’s start date is filling enthusiasm in lot of ardent cricket fans like me. IPL is responsible for the livelihood of so many people associated with the game.
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So, it’s not just about entertainment but also helps in putting food on the table of so many people. Though, it is imperative that we should take decision on such things after considering all aspects and then proceed if no red card is found.
Since the conduct of event is now confirmed, management has to ensure safety standards and make all the required infrastructure available. Over the years BCCI have been organising fan parks in many cities for public who are very far from venues, now with empty stands and only live being on cards every house will become a fan park.
In this circumstances the franchises will only lose revenues in the region of 20 to 25 per cent, since the majority of the revenues come in from the BCCI central pool of media rights and sponsorships.
Ravi Teja Kathuripalli, Hyderabad
Nimby policy detrimental
At a time when the govt is going about setting up Covid care centres, the people are understandibly concerned about the govt’s move to convert the stadium in Pernem into a care centre, as they feel it will expose the locals to the virus.
But while Goans always bemoan the lack of development, they do not want to be inconvenienced in any way. This Nimby policy (Not in My Back Yard) is detrimental to development. You have to give something to get something. From the very beginning we Goans have opposed development.
From the Konkan Railway, which was stalled by Goans for long to the airport, to doubling of rail tracks to 4-laning of highways, we Goans have always found reasons to oppose. We even opposed the mining industry for choking the environment and now we are opposing the very people who brought a halt to the mining industry!
I’m not trying to pontificate or say who is right or who is wrong as I’m an NRG (Non Resident Goan) and do not have an in-depth knowledge of the problems. What I’m saying is that we have elected the govt so let them do their job. If you have a problem don’t elect them again. But you will elect them again. And that’s the problem. Sorry to be so blunt but it’s time to call a spade a spade.
Robert Castellino, Mumbai
Mining imbroglio
In March this year the Nirbhaya rapists were hanged. One can ask: who hanged them? The hangman? The Judge who sentenced them? The lawyers? No, it was justice. There were repercussions for sure. The formers families might have lost the earning members. Is anyone questioning the same? Did any one person influence the same? No. It is a just system as of today.
Who stopped mining in Goa? Who released mining leases favouring those already chastised by the Courts? Who has initiated proceeding to recover the 1000’s of crores looted by these rogues? Can any one organisation, that too an NGO, influence the Courts? On the flip side, can the Courts favour the illegal mining lease holders just because the mining dependents are facing hardships? No, only Justice has stalled mining in Goa. Justice must prevail. We must all work for justice.
GMPF’s leader says his is the only body representing lakhs of mining dependents. He has called for investigating the funding’s of Goa Foundation. He should also declare where his funding’s come from. What was his source of income during the mining operations? We know that Trade unions thrive on the wage negotiations.
Unions are very necessary in India to fight for workers’ just rights. We now witness the way coal is pushed through villages bull dosing houses. Goans too need to form unions to fight against unscrupulous businessmen like the rogue mining barons.
First, the GMPF must know the laws: when mining is stopped for any reason, even the monsoons, the miners must make provisions for both the workers and the villagers in the mining area. Did the GMPS ensure this? We here that pumping of mining water, transport to schools and many other requirements were stopped. How so?
Next, the GMPF must let us know: should illegal mining resume? Thirdly: when the deposits ultimately get exhausted: whose responsibility will it be to look after the’ lakhs of mining dependents? The Govt.? GMPF? The miners? NGO’s -who do not represent mining belt Panchayats?
Running with the hare while hunting with the hunter can be quite dangerous in Goa where there is a very discerning population. GMPF must look more closely where the butter lies. Mining deposits will exhaust.
R Fernandes, Margao
Opening of Defence & Space sectors
With Narendra Modi inviting US Cos. to come and invest in India in the defence and space sectors, the exercise of being subjugated is complete after having opened these sectors to increased FDI recently. It will not be long before we become puppets of the USA qualifying for the position of becoming the 51st State of that country.
This initiative of opening these sectors is clearly contradictory to the slogans of Make in India and being Atmanirbhar and simultaneously detrimental to the country’s security and defence program.
Moreover these initiatives are being pushed through in a hurry while the whole country is in the throes of a burgeoning pandemic and to avoid any discussions about these in the political arena or in Parliament as would have happened in normal times.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St. Cruz
