Sunburn and sound restriction
It is learnt that the State Tourism Department has given its nod for ‘Sunburn’, electronic dance music (EDM) festival which is scheduled to be held later this month at Vagator. It is understood that the promoters of Sunburn have been asked to make the prescribed payment along with the security deposit to the government. Nearly 1.5 lakh people are expected to attend the three-day event which will commence on December 28. It is pertinent to note that the Goa government has decided to ban loud music after midnight, rolling back an earlier law that allowed music up to 6 am on certain days, and plunging the plans of hundreds of hotels, resorts and party venues into jeopardy ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays, the peak tourist season for the coastal State. Earlier, the State government had permitted the use of loud speakers or public address systems during night hours from 10 pm to 6 am on 17 occasions this year. However, now with the High Court directing the authorities to act against violators playing loud music beyond 10 pm without permission, the government has amended the relaxation. Now with the nod having been given for the EDM festival ‘Sunburn’ obviously loud music will not be allowed beyond the 10 pm deadline for the festival. The event will probably have to commence earlier than scheduled to make up for the time loss due to sound restriction. Obviously the show goes on.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Liberation or bondage?
On December 19, Goa may be officially observing Liberation Day, but those in power have miserably failed to provide even the basic amenities in our little State. We make out that we have been liberated – but from what? We have merely replaced one set of oppressors with another far worse. They have invaded our Goa, rampantly destroying the land and culture, whilst lining their pockets.
Good motorable roads, uninterrupted water and power supply, quality health and educational facilities as well as employment for our educated youth are the bare minimum requirements which the government should have focused on and endeavoured to deliver.
With the rampant destruction of our pristine hills and fields, the future is bleak with even our forests not spared. The very crucial Mhadei issue is haunting us while the damage being done to Goa is colossal. With the soaring crime rate this once safe haven is in utter peril.
A crying shame indeed, that we have reached this sad state of affairs with Goa driven to the brink by the very people we elected in trust at various levels of governance. Nothing more needs to be said on the political prostitution that has been ravaging our political turf.
Goa needs to be freed from corruption, nepotism and see good governance. There has to be total transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government. Our State has to be unchained from being a gambling, drug and prostitution den. It cannot continue being a safe haven for crime and criminals. Only then will we have reason to proudly celebrate a truly Liberated Goa.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Becker’s release from British prison
Boris Becker’s release from a British prison must be a breath of fresh air for the disgraced former tennis superstar. The 55-year-old German, six-time Grand Slam champion served an eight-month sentence for flouting insolvency rules and now faces deportation from the United Kingdom, which he had made his home since 2012. He had been declared bankrupt in June 2017, owing creditors a staggering £50 million. Becker may not get the best reception when he lands in Germany, but one hopes he turns over a new leaf.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Surge in Covid cases in China
It’s worrisome to see the sudden surge in Covid cases in China. Earlier, that country witnessed people marching on to the streets against strict Covid protocol and the government had to give in to the demand. Now sudden easing of restrictions after three years of a zero-COVID policy saw the public forgetting all protocols and thereby resulting in surge of Covid cases. Many hospitals were unprepared to deal with the current surge of cases in many Chinese cities leading to pandemic panic once again. It’s high time we too learn a lesson or two from this. Though vaccines and strict protocols helped our nation to harness Covid to a large extent still there are Covid cases spotted in some parts of the country. The surge in our neighbourhood is definitely one to make us alert and be cautious. Let us not forget that if negligence and carelessness are shown then we have to pay a heavy price. After the Omicron wave earlier this year people were cautious and adhered to Covid protocol but when the cases dwindled and restrictions eased we have completely forgotten those ‘dark days’ and are back to square one. No masks, no sanitisers, crowded celebrations, overcrowded markets and transportations. We have completely forgotten the ordeal we went through. Let us not forget that the virus has not been wiped off fully and just the entrance of a new variant , a new strain of the fatal coronavirus can topsy turvy our normal life.
The Health Ministry at the Centre and the States have to be vigilant and caution the people to be careful and take care because another round of this pandemic can be very fatal to the life of the people and the progress of the nation.
Ignoring the virus and being irresponsible is equal to welcoming peril to oneself, the society and the nation as a whole.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Ronaldo & Messi
I’ve been a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. But that does not stop me from being an equally big fan of Lionel Messi.
Both are a class apart and both are proven heroes with extraordinary abilities and great achievements in the field of football.
My passion for this beautiful game helps me respect and appreciate the huge contributions these two stars have given to football and to the millions of football fans all over the world, especially the young. My love for “Joga Bonito” (the beautiful game) aids me in making no petty comparisons between these two soccer greats.
Both Ronaldo and Messi are inspirations for the future generations. Hopefully we will have an equally great Indian footballer on the world stage very soon.
Thank you Ronaldo and Messi for your brilliance and for entertaining and inspiring us football fans for two decades.
Thank you for giving us something to hold on to. A beautiful game that helps millions of fans worldwide forget their suffering and pain and just lets us enjoy in the sheer beauty of the game.
Denzil Xavier, Panjim
Fugitives need to face the music
Yes, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya should be brought back to our country at the earliest. But I feel Rishi Sunak the newly-elected PM of Britain will not take any radical step. Having said that it is not in UK’s interest to give shelter to Indian fugitives. They need to face the music, here in India. Mallya and Modi have got a feeling that they would never have to come back to India, which smacks clear arrogance.
Despite the approval by British courts to extradite Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Sanjay Bhandari, they are having a gala time in UK.
Modi and Mehul Choksi have taught the nouveau riche in the country on how to conspire with bank officials to fraudulently obtain letters of undertaking for making payments to overseas suppliers.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
