It must be said that the Port Town of Vasco is the most cosmopolitan city of Goa. Here people of all walks of life, belonging to different states have settled down over the years.
Every family living in the Port Town have their own private functions which they would like to celebrate in a hall. But unfortunately Vasco does not have a community hall like the one that is present at Taleigao which serves all the people of the locality.
The Vasco civic body should identify a place in the city to build a large community hall for the use of the people of Vasco and the surrounding areas. One such place that could be used for the project would probably be the municipal garage situated in the heart of the city. This garage where the garbage trucks are parked and thus presents a sore sight, could be shifted to a place outside the city and the area could be used to build a community hall. Hopefully the Vasco civic body which has a fresh chairperson in charge of the affairs will look into the matter.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
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Mickky behaviouring like a school kid
Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco was till a few days ago a min.ister in the Parsekar govt. much against his wishes he was compelled to put in his papers and resign as a minister after he was convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for slapping an on duty official. Ever since he had done the disappearing act. By not presenting himself before the law enforcing authorities he is doing himself no favours. Not only is he embarrassing the BJP govt but also every respectable Goan.
Goan politicians are already under considerable pressure and ridiculed for their frequent trips abroad. Pacheco’s whereabouts is not known. He may have found a ‘safe house’ in Delhi or even abroad. But he should not think he is a school kid anymore. This is not the time for him to go on a summer vacation. And for how long can Pacheco ‘ buy’ time?
He should be served with an order to present himself before the authorities within 48 hours or face attachment of all his assets.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Informative article
The article on ‘Schooling A nightmare’ by Smitha Bhandare Kamat, was very informative and it shows the realistic and practical picture of our education system.
Indeed the ratio of teacher to student has increased and nothing is been done to sort it out and on the contrary school holidays are reduced which actually is very incorrect as its a must not only for the students but teachers as well.
I wonder what school timings those who have implemented these rules, attended. Whether they too were placed like a pack of sardines and long school hours. Whether they had mid day meals lizard and cockroach free and clean drinking water.
Proper ventilation, safe school environment for students, is the main priority. The rest is secondary.
Jill Dale Rodrigues, by email
Himalayan tragedy
The earthquake of gargantuan proportions that rocked Nepal has left behind a trail of death and destruction. Going by the photos it is obvious that the presence of many old and dilapidated buildings in Kathmandu contributed to the higher death toll as these could not survive the super quake.
With rescue operations proving to be a tall order given the mountainous terrain one is afraid that the toll could climb much higher. Sanitation issues that dog much of Nepal will also prove to be a bugbear.
The disappearance of many heritage structures from the map of Nepal after the quake, including the much revered Dharahara tower, is a big blow and this could hit the tourism industry hard. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team deserve accolades for rising to the occasion and coming to the rescue of Nepal in record time.
While our heart goes out to the dead and the afflicted one hopes that the international community would throw their weight around and help the Hindu kingdom get back on its feet soon.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
