The caged Lion
Politicians are ambitious in nature for self glorification and feathering their own nest. Not to be on the winning side is akin to be in political wilderness. Hence in the name of development poaching and desertion is the answer of rationalisation. MGP has self destructed by initially allowing BJP to ride on its wings. Shashikala Kakodkar, the inheritor, joined Congress and so did Ramakant Khalap. It is now the privilege of the Dhavalikars to keep it alive on ventilator. Two of its elected members joined BJP midway of the last term. Dhavalikar was dropped as he was not essential anymore after the mass entry of Congress. One thought he would not extend unconditional support, when there is massive resistance against him from BJP legislators. But he is sure that he will be accommodated. He made common cause with TMC and exuded confidence to be in power in coalition scenario. He vowed not to have any truck with the BJP.
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Nelson Lopes,
Chinchinim
Indian political teams and players
India teems with tens of hundreds of political parties both at the State and National levels. As per the Election Commission of India (23 September 2021), the total number of registered political parties were 2858, of which 8 are national parties, 54 State parties and 2797 unrecognized parties! Naturally, we are in a mess! In the recent years prior to any upcoming elections, the politicians term some political parties as A, B or C teams of some other parties. We are not sure about the number of teams, the players and which team is openly or discreetly collaborating with one another! Yet, this game goes on in circles, ad nauseam. But one thing is certain and that is we are taken for a ride, because after elections the political parties cobble up a coalition forgetting their past animosities, bad blood that existed and all the derogatory words used against one another. In this respect the politicians are in a league of their own when it comes to fooling the people. Undoubtedly, they make strange bedfellows for after all birds of the same feathers flock, brood and nest together! And we deserve the treatment meted out by them and for being left in the lurch after every election.
Sridhar D’Iyer,
Caranzalem
No tainted ministers please
Now that the BJP has got another mandate to rule our State, we the people request the CM designate to ensure a corruption-free government this time around. Rampant graft in the Town & Country Planning Department, Electricity Dept., PWD, Water Dept. and RTO has made life difficult for the common man, getting anything done here needs ‘grease money’. Ministers and bureaucrats manning these departments who were involved in corruption or stalling of files in lieu of personal profit should be left out and an anti-corruption helpline should be set up on the lines of what the new government in Punjab has done. People should be permitted to submit complaints via WhatsApp for speedy redressal; also a grievance committee should be incorporated within each ministry where aggrieved public can seek action against tainted officials. Further it should be ensured that ministers have some rudimentary knowledge of the portfolios they are entrusted with rather than being all at sea and messing things up. Ministries should be allocated purely on merit rather than on extraneous considerations or nepotism (too many couples have won the elections this time around). Now is the time for the CM designate to walk the talk on his promise of ‘zero tolerance to corruption’, the aam janta would be watching. Lord Acton had said, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, we don’t want a repeat of that.
Rekha Sarin,
Benaulim
War only causes misery
Vladimir Putin thought that it will be a cakewalk if they attack Ukraine, which did not happen as the war is now in its third week. It is time for Ukraine and Russia to come to the negotiation table and solve the mutual differences for the mutual benefit, save the world from another world war and ensure peace and tranquillity in the region. It is also sad to know that Russia’s attack on Ukraine has triggered a refugee crisis in Europe; it could have been avoided. Though it was NATO’s plans for expansion that angered Putin, he could have warned Ukraine instead of going for all-out war, and thereby NATO states. War only causes misery on both sides and is never a solution. I think India should continue to be part of the peace process. Initially, I had a feeling that our closeness to Russia upset Ukraine; it seems that Ukraine is satisfied with India’s role in providing relief and urging Russia to end the war. This is the only thing that India can do in the present circumstances.
Diomedes Pereira,
Corlim
Fuel prices: A big blow
Price hike on fuels and cooking gas by BJP government is a big blow to the common man that will cause to drill deep holes in to the pockets of the middle class. BJP showed the moon to the voters to get through the assembly elections in the five States. The lack of subsidy mainly hurts millions of customers from poor families, which have switched to cleaner fuel in recent years and are often tempted to go back to the traditional polluting biomass. And with the rising prices of fuels, common man is considering to switch to a Bullock Cart’ with rubberised wheels. As the price of diesel, petrol and cooking gas have gone up, the rates of groceries and vegetables will also sky rocket. This will cause the customers not to visit hotels and industries will suffer further. Farmers are not benefiting from the price hike and neither are customers. For most BPL families, survival has become a challenge due to the hike in prices of essential commodities. Poor people are forced to use palm oil (Rs 110 per litre) as the cost of refined sunflower oil used daily has now jumped to over Rs 170 per litre. It looks like only the government and brokers are benefiting from it. The gifts and freebies of BJP government keep coming. If things go like this, the common man has to become jungle man and settle in the jungle for a better life.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Delhi is most polluted city
The pollution in Delhi has reached its worst level again. Unfortunately, New Delhi has earned the notorious distinction of being the most polluted city in the world. This is a matter of grave concern. November 8, 2017 is a red letter day in the history of Delhi, the air quality index indicated pollution levels of 999, way above the upper limit of the worst AQI category. Let’s talk about the causes, carbon emissions from vehicles is tremendous and industrial waste into the air and water is one of the most primary reasons for air pollution, various chemical factories pollute the air as well as water. Contaminated water due to industrial water destroys marine and organic life. This leaves awfully large impact, as the air we breathe, is becoming poisonous and it has given rise to various chest issues and diseases like Asthma. A kind of public awareness programme must be launched and should be involved in fighting this manmade menace or more trees should be planted. All of these will require a great political will and zeal and I am of the view that all parties lack it.
Poonam Boyat, Ujjain
