Teach Konkani in Roman script
This is with reference to an article that appeared on your front page dated January 11, 2022. It states ‘Call for granting status to Konkani in Roman Script.’ This is a welcome approach by the former Minister Tomazinho Cardozo, especially keeping in mind that most parents will agree that Konkani taught at the school level in Devnagri script is very difficult for the children to cope with. Most of the children are sent for Konkani tuitions, which is ridiculous when it is supposed to be already taught in schools. Personally speaking the Konkani that is taught in school is dissuading our children from actually picking up the language since it is not the Konkani that most Christians speak at home or that matter even the church. It is very confusing for the child to speak the language in one way and learn it the other. As result, he or she just gives up on speaking the language or learning it.
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I don’t understand why students are not given a choice. If we really want our mother tongue to grow and move on to the next generation, it is time we have a more open-minded approach to it. The government needs to give Goans a choice, especially in schools to either opt for Roman or Devnagri script in Konkani; thus giving equal status to both scripts. Incidentally, I think the Konkani Kendra too should support this.
Marie Fernandes, Panjim
Political rallies and meetings
Due to the ongoing 3rd wave of the pandemic people are concerned about the frequent conducting of political rallies and meetings and asking the government that these be stopped.
The Election Commission of India has also prohibited large gatherings during canvassing and house visits by the candidates and their supporters. This may not happen because stakes are high in the coming election and huge money has been spent. Politicians think that it is their benign duty to go all out and hold rallies, meetings, have door-to-door campaigns, etc. They want to show their report card of the work done/not done in the last 5 years and which need to be done (hopefully) in the next 5 years.
The political parties are not pulling us from our homes or threatening us to attend their functions and meetings. They may offer transport, snacks, T-shirts etc, but as responsible citizens we have a right either to participate or skip such activities. So, let us stop blaming the politicians and their parties for the increasing cases in the country, especially in Goa.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
‘Lifelong’ cabinet status, a ploy?
In a first-of-its-kind decision since Liberation, the BJP government granting Congress Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane lifelong cabinet status for his service to the State is something unheard of. The senior most BJP leaders like L K Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi do not have the privilege of cabinet status.
Is there any hidden political agenda behind this? Creating a cultural reason to seek power, which makes a great impression on the voters. To make new promises as people have seen the fate of the earlier promises. The tactics used by the political parties in Goa would pain anyone who believes in democratic principles.
The BJP’s “charm offensive” ahead of the Assembly election is being perceived by observers as a canny move to keep the stalwart Congressman and 11-time MLA from contesting the Poriem Assembly seat and sow confusion within the ranks of the battered Goa.
The Congress is fighting a battle for its survival. While Rane was recently named as the party’s candidate from the Poriem constituency, it’s arbitrary and unconstitutional of such confer. Indulging in these type of gimmicks for political benefits is shameful.
KG Vilop, Chorao
Third wave and ISL matches
It is learnt that Covid-19 infections have not spared even the players, and other staff participating in the ongoing India Super League (ISL) currently underway at three stadiums in Goa. There is a growing concern within the ISL as there is reportedly an increase in Covid-19 positive cases within the bio-secure bubble. It is understood that several players belonging to various teams including the coaching staff were sent into quarantine over fear of having been infected by the virus. The cases have probably increased because of new players and support staff joining the teams and hence entering the bio-secure bubble.
A match in the ongoing ISL had to be rescheduled as one of the players was tested positive. It is necessary to maintain the sanctity of the bio-secure bubble. Though the substitutes and those in the dug-out have to mandatorily wear the mask, obviously it is not possible for the players and the coaching staff to follow the pandemic related SOPs like wearing of the mask and social distancing while training or while actually participating in the match.
Hence regular testing of those in the bio-secure bubble is the only way to prevent the spread of the infection. If there is an increase in the number of infections in the coming days, it may be necessary for the organisers to take a call as to whether or not to postpone the remaining matches of the ISL till things normalise as we are at the peak of the third wave.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Much ado about nothing
Tonnes of fire and brimstone has been raining over the presumed assassination attempt on the life of our beloved PM during his recent visit to Punjab, the pradhan sevak himself opined that he was fortunate to have escaped the state alive. If a person who travels in a Rs 12 crore armoured limousine, flies in armed Rs 8000 crore custom built jets with electronic countermeasures against missile attacks, has four levels of protection guarding him 24×7 and on whom India spends Rs 592 crores annually on security still feels unsafe, imagine the plight of the common citizen.
Point to ponder.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Goa turning into a communal cauldron?
Recently a few radical right wing outfit members threatened Archives and Archaeology department employees to stop the upcoming Novenas and feast of St Joseph Vaz at the Frontispiece of Sancoale church, in fact the Bajrang Dal hoodlums were even demanding demolition of the church.
Welcome Goa to the New India. Such has been the terror unleashed by these miscreants that the Catholic Association of Goa has appealed to the police, EC, collector and the chief secretary for increased security and action against such individuals for trying to sow disharmony among religious communities.
Goa being in the din of assembly elections, there is a strong possibility of vested interests fanning the flames of communal poison for narrow political gains and popularisation. Some agenda driven individuals misled and instigated by the ruling party had lost a dispute with the church last year and they are hell bent on avenging their presumed insult by way of creating interfaith strife and disrupting the peace in our beautiful State.
Everyone whose heart beats for Goa should unite to crush such malevolent forces from achieving their ulterior motives; the venom of communalism should not be allowed to be injected in our veins. The courts and law enforcement authorities must deal with an iron hand these reprehensible attempts to tear asunder the State’s secular fabric without fear or favour. Goa should not go the rest of India way where such nefarious pursuits have been institutionalised and hate for the fellow man normalised.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
