Secular? What about jobs?
Roy D’Silva, Margao
This is with reference to the press release/advertisement by few of the eminent persons from Margao and Fatorda who claim to be the secular forces of Goa. Are people like Elaine Colaco, Albert Colaco, Humbert Fernandes etc secular? Is the Congress party really secular and BJP really communal? Have these persons any time fought on the open ground other than just releasing a few press notes and advertisements? Is Digamber Kamat secular? If so, why are only 400 jobs given to Catholics and 200 to Muslims, out of the 10,000 odd jobs in Government Departments? Is this secularism? I request all of you to take up issues which are really destroying the real fabric of Goan society in particular, rather than making tall claims of secularism.
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GBA gives up on CM
Marcos Alemao, Varca
There is no substance in the demand of GBA to campaign for change in governance. They are only fooling the people for their own publicity. A similar demand was made by the same GBA with their leaders Dr. Oscar Rebello and Dr. Francisco Colaco at Lohia Maidan, Margao and Azad Maidan, Panjim to go for a change in Congress governance during next election held on 2007. Did it happen? The GBA members were the first to cast their votes for the Congress party. Dr. Francisco Colaco was the first person to garland Mr. Franscisco Sardinha when he was elected MP on Congress ticket. The government only dropped the RP 2011 and introduced RP 2021 with promises of changes. Although the government has introduced RP 2021, is still using the RP 2001 for its greed. The next elections are still two years ahead. Nothing will happen in next two years, even if the Chief Minister Digamber Kamat ignores their demand. GBA will elect the same government again in 2012.
I want answers from RO
Sushilkumar S. Adpaikar, Margao
The Election Commission of India rule is that all business establishments within 100 meters of the polling station shall remain closed, to prevent unlawful assembly of persons/groups. Central Observers ensured implementation of this rule in the last two elections of Lok Sabha and State Assembly. During Municipal elections this rule was ignored. I saw a famous restaurant near the Margao Municipal Council doing roaring business. So also the biriyani centre and Tourist hostel canteen. While a prominent vegetarian restaurant remained closed the non-veg restaurant in the same building did fantastic business.
Following are my questions to the Chief Electoral Officer/ Returning Officer:-
1) Why make a 100 meter mark on all sides of the polling station if you cannot implement the rule?
2) Is it not your duty to inspect a radius of 100 mt around every polling station?
3) Why are business premises violating this rule not sealed?
I demand an explanation from the State Election Commissioner.
Freedom Fighters
Arwin Mesquita, UAE
I only read about Goa’s Freedom Fighters opposing anything and everything Portuguese. This letter is not to support the former Portuguese rule or to belittle any true sacrifices by genuine Freedom Fighters. My point is that Goa’s Freedom Fighters must address the critical issues of today. Scarce land bought up by non-Goans, uncontrolled migrant votebank influx, mega projects destroying Goa’s demography and ecology, open corruption, faulty government policies which have turned the Indian government into oppressors of the common man. Freedom fighters must realize that we have exchanged Portuguese oppression for Goan/Indian oppression.
GBA is naive
Ajay Naik, Dubai
Is GBA so naive to seriously think that this corrupt regime will ever think about eco zones or for that matter, aam admi sensitivity? If these crooks adhere to GBA demands, how on earth will they be able to send pots full of cash to their High Command in order to keep their Chairs intact? High Hopes GBA!
Lorna’s shows expensive
Allwyn George, Carmona
Every Goan yearns to see Lorna perform on stage. My compliments to the Nightingale of Goa for her comeback. What surprises me are the rates for her show in Ravindra Bhavan on Margao on 3 November. Most of the tickets in the front are for Rs 300, while some tickets in the back are for Rs 200, while a very few back rows are for Rs 100. The affordable tickets are sold out. Most tiatr tickets are a flat Rs 75 per person, why are tickets for Lorna’s show so high? The organizers can schedule more shows so that more Goans can view Lorna perform. Or is profit the only motive?
Yoga and spirituality
John A. Fernandes, Margao
Several agree with Dominic Mathews’ letter ‘Yoga is physical, not spiritual’ (Herald, 26 Oct). Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning Union, with God and the rest of humanity. Yoga advocates meditation and prayer. The teachings of Yoga are vast and touch every facet of Man’s life. In fact, Yoga is a way of life: Karma (morality), Bhakti (devotion to God), Dyana (contemplation). The physical aspect or asanas is a small part of the practice of Yoga, which caters to the betterment of our body, mind and spirit. Christ was indeed a great Yogi who prayed and meditated. It is unfortunate that many Christians do not follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the Yogi, whose main doctrine was ‘Love of God and our neighbour’.
Vasco’s woes
Crispino Faria, Vasco
What is happening to Vasco? The ruling MLA who is also a minister assaults his party colleague. If he does this, then what will the youth do? Follow him? Should we idolise him? He wanted his wife and brother to be in the council. What has he done for the betterment of Vasco? Vaddem lake is still the same with its dirty water. He erected concrete poles for street lights in the city whereas cities like Panjim, Taligao and Cuncolim have beautiful streetlights erected. Why not in Vasco? Why the streetlights are not functioning in Haariawaddo and why is it functioning only around this minister’s area? Why is there power supply in and around this minister’s house when the entire Vasco city is in darkness? Can anyone answer me this?
Goa’s Kannada schools
Crispino Faria, Vasco
On Sunday, I went to a polling station at the government medium school, Bogda, Vasco near Bogda police station. To my surprise, as I was in the line to cast my vote, I read it as Kannada medium school, that too, government aided. I heard of English, Konkani and even Marathi medium schools in Goa. But a Kannada medium school in Goa is not acceptable to me. Slowly, I think Konkani will vanish. What is the Education department thinking of?
Agitation over highways
P L Fernandes, Old-Goa
Kamal Nath says the people should not suffer and at the same time, he puts deadlines by for acquiring land. If they are trying to deceive the public, the road ahead is going to be difficult, because the people are simply not going to let go. The Opposition leader has stated that four-laning should not take more than 30 metres and yet, they talk about 60 metres. Broadening will take scarce land and highways would mean a major portion of traffic will be inter-state heavy vehicular traffic causing noise and pollution. Everywhere else, highways are built away from existing populated areas. Here they want to push them through villages and towns. We do not want another long agitation like the language one.
Fatal attraction
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
Why do individuals get attracted to political power centres? Some have their own agenda some do it for help with social causes. But others do it because it gives them a sense of self-worth of being in the inner circle and therefore seen to be wielding influence. Near election time, you see all sorts of characters. They will soon desert the sinking ship like rats, if the results are otherwise. Powerful politicians have developed thick skins. They dread the moment of being out of circulation, when even faithful dogs turn traitors. Distancing oneself from these situations and being independent in thought and deed gives one pride and independence.
Nehru’s legacy
John M Vaz, Aldona
Late Jawarlal Nehru is reported to have said, “My ministers were paupers when they joined the ministry, but now they own a fleet of cars.” We are facing the consequences today – open corruption that no one can control. The defence forces should step in, take over the administration, put all ministers in the lockup and establish order in the country. Later restore democracy. This will never happen. In New Delhi, the Nehru Dynasty plays the Secular Card and loots the public. In Goa, we have the Rane dynasty. BJP is the right opposition party, but their Hindutva policy hurts the feelings of people who avoid them. There are scams everywhere and invariably committees are set up, nothing is done, a scapegoat is found while actual criminals get away scot-free. It is high time the public take to streets and take law in their own hands. Enough is enough.
