Why so much love for Karnataka?
The BJP government in Goa aims to win the Karnataka Assembly elections by any means necessary. To make this happen, the entire BJP cabinet from Goa has relocated to Karnataka. The Goan BJP MLAs are present at all rallies and meetings. Even a few days ago, a Goa Minister delivered a speech in fluent Kannada to win Karnataka voters, who are residing in Goa. And after all of this, one could wonder, “Is it the assembly elections in Karnataka or Goa?”
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The most shocking thing is that the Goa government has declared a paid holiday for Karnataka voters in Goa to go and vote there. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, adjacent States have in past declared Election Day a holiday for employees. That implies our Goa government will now provide a paid holiday to every adjacent State, with Maharashtra being the next in line.
One of the most significant issues is the Mhadei water crisis, which has gone unnoticed by all Goa BJP MLAs and Ministers, and no one is complaining about it. How can they travel to Karnataka when the Mhadei situation is more pressing in Goa? Some BJP leaders claim that Mhadei is their mother, but in reality, they are duping Goans because, as Home Minister Amit Shah stated, the problem has been resolved. So yet, no one has dared to question him. All are puppets, and as a result, one day we will truly lose Mhadei!
Aurelio Viegas, Chinchinim
Spring life into
our springs
People of Davorlim are reportedly anxiously looking forward to the Water Resources Department (WRD) to spruce up the Davorlim spring which once attracted people from far and wide to enjoy a bath due to the medicinal value of the spring water. The State is dotted with several popular springs of which many have unfortunately lost their charm. Nonetheless, these natural springs are unique in their way and some possess medical properties that can heal people from different diseases. Amongst the most popular springs in Goa is Kesarval. Other springs include Rivona spring in South Goa which is considered as one of the best springs to visit in the State. Pomburpa spring, Ambora spring, Udear spring and Boca de Vaca spring are the other springs to name a few. These springs are the perfect getaway from the salty water from Goa’s beaches. The spring water is known to relax the body and mind. These springs are one of the popular places for family picnics or for spending some quality time with the loved ones. However, many springs are lying in a state of neglect and carving for attention. The surrounding area has turned into an eye-sore with thick growth of vegetation and the stagnant water emits a foul smell while the groundwater could be polluted. The government needs to have a policy in place to rejuvenate all the springs in the State.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Goans or party
first, Mr CM?
Declaring a paid holiday for voters in Goa is a golden opportunity to rectify the wrong which is prevalent. To establish vote banks, politicians in Goa have registered voters from Karnataka in Goa, thus assuring them of victory and spoiling the applecart of forecast of the election results, and then we are blamed for getting the leaders we deserve. We appreciate the gesture of the government, but it should also ensure that the data is conveyed to the office of the Election Commission in Goa to cross verify if there is duplicity of voters. We would also like to know from the Chief Minister as to who comes first, the Goans or his party? Goa is being sold and destroyed.
Joaquim Pinto, Mapusa
What more is in store for Panjim?
This is in reference to the edit “Sad state of the dirty capital city” that appeared in the Herald edition dated May 9, 2023.
From news reports it seems like Panjim is a backward, run down town, dug up, and sewage flowing all over the place. What more is in store for Panjim? Today’s cartoon in your newspaper says it well, “sewage will continue to flow in Mala & surrounding areas”.
If we have to see a city clean and healthy, sewage is the most important aspect that needs to be attended to. Do we have to tell the authorities concerned that sewage if left untreated, can lead to severe health issues? The authorities should accord priority to such basic things.
People from all over the country and abroad, love to visit Goa. Why even the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was held in Goa. And, we present such a dirty picture to the world?
How smart is your city, one tends to ask! Providing and maintaining basic amenities are more important that trying to turn the city into a so-called ‘Smart City’!
Melville X D’Souza,
Mumbai
Malappuram
boat tragedy
The boat tragedy that occurred in Malappuram, Kerala last Sunday, which killed over 20 people, is woebegone and evokes a lot of sympathy. It is said that the vessel was a fishing boat, modified into a two-deck tourist boat, and safety concerns were flouted with impunity during its remodelling. No tourist boat is permitted to function after 5 pm, but the ill-fated two-decker boat carried people well beyond the evening and its capacity, utterly disregarding all safety-related restrictions. Adding salt to the wound, the boat had no life jackets, and this was one of the main reasons for more casualties. Additionally, the boat was said to have two doors, and both apparently remained locked during the tragedy, and when it capsized, passengers were unable to move out easily. It is all the more sad that the Malappuram boat tragedy occurred just after months when a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed into a river in Morbi town, Gujarat, killing several people. The guidelines issued by the National Management Disaster Authority in India address all facets of boat safety such as weather forecasting and early warning system, safety standards & specifications, regulatory & legal issues, and capacity development and the ‘dos and don’ts. But who cares?
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
