Till today the case has not been solved apparently because some high profile local people are involved in it. The mother of the victim has been running from pillar to post and even visited India seeking justice for her daughter, which has been eluding indefinitely. The mother is finally reposing faith in the meeting of Britain’s Foreign Minister with the new government in Delhi hoping against hope that the investigation may be speeded up.
It is truly shocking that a number of cases involving foreigners have not been brought to their logical conclusions. Without much uncertainty we can conclusively say that though people in India have full faith in the judiciary, the same cannot be said unambiguously with regard to the investigating agency. We are often made to believe that there are two sets of approaches one for the common man and the other connected with the selected few.
Imagine, if in the murder under reference, some outsider or migrant was involved. If it was so, the case would have been cracked overnight and the guilty brought to books without delay. We are well aware how even in some murder cases the media is selective in disclosing the identity of the accused, based on whether it is a local or a migrant. It is time that we realize that a crime is a crime, no matter who commits it and justice should be meted out speedily.
Michael Vaz, Merces
Pet project
The finance minister earmarked Rs 200 crores for the pet project of the Prime Minister Modi for erecting huge statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the state of Gujarat is waste of public money. This money can be utilized for the people who are dying of hunger and thirst. For the people who are sick and cannot afford to meet their medical expenses. For the loss of the oil companies due to Iraq conflict instead of increasing petrol and diesel prices every now and then. There are many other things to do for the welfare of people of India.
Marcos Alemao, Varca
Please-all budget
The Union budget may be compared to a cigarette — low on fire and high on smoke with several ‘feel good’ drags in between. Arun Jaitley’s budget presentation lacked the fire one usually associated with past finance ministers. However the FM delivered on content giving a ‘kick’ to vital sectors of the economy. It was a please-all budget, that kept everyone reasonably happy especially the middle class (with tax benefits) — the only ones to really suffer being those who smoke, but this again for their own good.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Obnoxious behaviour
The other day a Congress functionary was shown standing on the name plate of the present Railway Minister and protesting. He had plucked the plaque and stood on it. It is the most bizarre and obnoxious behavior on the part of the politico. The name plate is the part of the personal identity of an individual and stepping on it is almost standing on the body of the person. This behavior is most fulsome. Sadananda Gowda, the Railway Minister, is a Cabinet Minister of the Centre and he was once the chief minister of a state. Hence this kind of hooliganism and insulting action on the part of a Congressman is highly deplorable. Since the time of losing power at the centre, Congressmen are protesting against everything. Perhaps they might blame the present government for the weak monsoon! They are desperate and want to discredit the NDA government to brighten their future. They are like fish out of water. However it is naïve to believe that articulation by Narendra Modi of price rise and rising inflation is the only factor that catapulted him to the seat of power. They are many factors that led to the downfall of Congress in the recent general election, which the Congressmen would never admit and these factors are still relevant. Hence the gimmicks and the uncivilized outbursts of the Congressmen would not cut much ice with the electorate.
SND Poojary, Miramar
Police complaints
It is a known fact that the police in the state may not register each and every complaint that the aggrieved individuals come with to the police station. The question to be asked is what is the criteria (if any) set by the police department to register a complaint. Can the police unilaterally decide as to which complaints are to be registered and which complaints are not to be registered? It is true that if the police register even frivolous complaints the already short-staffed police department will be under tremendous pressure to solve the cases. Whether the police register a complaint on the merit of the case by exercising discretion or should they register each and every complaint that citizens bring to the police station is the big question.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
