Dev borem korum for your excellent editorial ‘More power to Margao’s honest people’s movement’ (April 15). Since the people’s movement, headed by Adv Rajeev Gomes, started to fight the corruption of MMC councillors, I wondered why none of Goa’s editors highlighted the importance of this crucial movement. I am shocked to see that the government is shielding the chairperson, Gonzaco, who is involved in illegal constructions on MMC land and parking setback area. He also pays only Rs 100 as house tax for his posh duplex bungalow. He should have been booked for land grabbing, jailed, and disqualified for misuse of power. All councilors lost their morality by demanding the transfer of upright CO Naveen instead of asking for Gonzaco’s resignation. The government must cancel the stay, order a demolition, and dissolve the MMC now. Your editorial a few months ago said non-Goans were taking more care of Goa than Goa’s Babus did. It is true. Your kind words and encouragement is highly appreciated and treasured in our hearts. You are really serving Goa and Goans. I wish Adv Rajeev and Moddgonvkars a great victory for their war against MMC corruption.
Filipe Dias, Dubai
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Move beyond cricket
For every Indian, it is a matter of pride that tennis star, Sania Mirza, and badminton star, Saina Nehwal, have risen to the world number one rank in their respective sports. Earlier, Mary Kom won an Olympic medal for India. Their success stories are eye-openers. It proves that hard work, dedication and determination are a must for success, and miracles happen only if one sweats for it. These women sports stars of India must inspire our youth to take interest in sports other than cricket, which seems to be the only game that Indians are interested in. India’s sports authorities must recognize and encourage all sports and also prepare India for the international scene.
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi
Child abuse
I felt sad while reading a magazine about children who ran away from home because of physical abuse and poverty. Why should this happen in India? PM Modi should plan a path out of poverty for India’s poor. Children should not be allowed to loiter at railway stations or streets. There should be NGOs to guide such kids. Parents also should not let their kids go astray. It is their duty to ensure that all is well in the house. They should educate children, teach them the values of life, and guide them to be better citizens of the country.
Beating children can be counter-productive and can have an irreparable effect. Parents should avoid it at any cost and refrain from muttering words that will force children to leave their homes. The government and NGOs should help poor families by giving them maximum support.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Jack de Sequeira, the ‘Father of Goa’
Dr Jack de Sequiera, the Father of Opinion Poll, should also be known as the ‘Father of Goa’, just like Mahatma Gandhi is the ‘Father of the Nation’. We are enjoying the fruits of Goa because of Dr Sequiera. He saved Goa from merging with Maharashtra. Goans, especially the elected members of the pro-merger Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, should be grateful to him. Because of him, today they are MLAs and ministers. They would be nowhere if not for the Opinion Poll. The man who wanted to finish Goa by merging it with Maharashtra has an honorable place for his statue in the Legislative Assembly, while the man who fought to save Goa is forgotten.
Marcos Alemao, Varca
Helmet rule should
be relaxed
The strict implementation of the helmet rule is proving irksome to people who travel short distances in coastal areas and villages. Helmets, undoubtedly, are for protection of motorists. However, they must be strictly enforced in cities and on highways, but relaxed elsewhere. Drunk driving is known to be the main cause of accidents, and strict action is taken against drunk drivers across the nation, except in Goa, for obvious reasons. If breath-analyzer tests are done as in Mumbai, Goa’s nightlife will come to a standstill. Hence, the Goa police turn a blind eye to drunk drivers, unless they are likely to hurt others. Similarly, the helmet rule may be relaxed in coastal areas and villages and may be applied only as an exception to the rules in the cases of speeding and rash riding.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
