Divine blessing
to be in Goa
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It was a divine blessing to be in Goa and to be able to venerate the sacred relics of our patron Saint Francis Xavier in the Se Cathedral at Old Goa.
It was heartening to be able to witness first-hand the meticulous, detailed and spectacular arrangements for the feast and the Exposition of the relics of our Goencho Saib, a spectacular event set to run for just over seven weeks.
The overall arrangements were flawless and a great moment for Goa and personally for the Saint’s devotees who travelled from across the World to pray and be a part of this unique experience.
We need to commend every official, volunteer and members of the Security Staff who have been working tirelessly for the success of this Exposition.
This entire event has been astounding and the overall credit goes to the Exposition Commissioner Sandip Jacques and his entire team for having proved that when there is a will there’s a way. A great event like this could be achieved in record time despite the challenges and hurdles that have had to be overcome, because the will was there.
Successful events like this give our Goa a good name and we can all take pride in those that made it happen for such a noble, worthy and Saintly cause that St Francis Xavier himself would have approved.
After all, St Francis Xavier often preached the following:
‘The mark of a true Christian is not in words but in deeds’.
‘It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken’.
‘The only way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’.
Aires Rodrigues, London
The Woke Virus: A threat to our roots
In today’s fast-changing world, staying rooted in one’s cultural heritage has become a formidable challenge. The Woke virus, as many call it, is spreading rapidly, eroding traditional values and replacing them with ideologies that often disconnect people from their origins. This isn’t just a casual observation, it’s a growing phenomenon that has impacted families, communities, and even the most brilliant minds.
Take, for example, a South Indian PhD student at MIT, surnamed Iyengar, who hails from a respected Brahmin family, raised with values of discipline and intellectual rigour, he reached one of the world’s top universities a dream for many. However, he was expelled for writing a pro-Palestine essay steeped in radical rhetoric.
It’s not about the topic itself but the deeper concern of how narratives, reinforced by subtle propaganda, can lead even the brightest individuals to adopt perspectives disconnected from their upbringing.
Such incidents underline the urgent need for families to play a proactive role in moderating what young minds consume, especially in their schooling years. Exposure to unchecked propaganda in literature, media, and social platforms can gradually shift perspectives, erode cultural balance.
Staying humble and embracing the cultural wisdom passed down by our parents is not about resisting change, it’s about preserving a balanced identity.
Vaman Sankhalker, Harvalem
Verna road is a
death trap
In yet another incident a young boy lost his life and another was injured in a racing on bike. The Verna road has become a racing road and death trap.
The said incident is not new. Before this, many have got injured in racing activity. There should be daytime patrolling on this road as the road is interior. Many college students come on bike and then they have a bet or challenge in racing on bikes.
Prior to this accident, many have suffered injuries. Parents should not allow their children to use bikes as the same is demanded by children to go to college and reach in time.
There should be strict rules for the students and should keep an eye on them after college hours. Police men should be deployed in Verna IDC where such activities take place.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Leadership crisis in the INDIA Bloc
This has reference to ‘Leadership crisis in INDIA’ (Herald, December 12, 2024). Another informative, insightful, interesting Editorial. Yes, you’ve rightly stated, there seems to be a leadership crisis in the INDIA Bloc.
The Congress on its part did play a big part in the Lok Sabha elections. The INDIA Bloc allies, though, seem understandably disappointed with the Congress’ dismal performance in subsequent Assembly elections. The reasons for the Congress failure however, does not seem clear, as it had performed well in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Be that as it may, the INDIA Bloc allies must understand that it is in theirs and in the interest of the nation that they remain united, no matter who takes over the mantle of leadership.
And, if and only if, they are convinced that the ballot boxes should be brought back, they should sincerely initiate a nationwide movement for this purpose.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Test cricket still
retains its charm
Pink ball cricket has made charming and delectable inroads in Tests ever since Australia and New Zealand met each other in a day-night Test at Adelaide in November 2015, embracing this novel concept.
Throughout its history, cricket has gone through numerous transformations and innovations that have made the game more intriguing and exciting.
The advent of the T20 format and the newer T10 leagues have only boosted the growth of the game across cricket
playing nations.
However, amid the pomp and glitz of the slam-bang version of the game, Test cricket still retains its charm and excitement, undergoing innovations through the years. And one such innovation that has capitalised on the popularity of the Test format is pink ball cricket matches.
As the sun sets, the luminous pink orb takes centre-stage, transforming the game into a mesmerising spectacle under floodlights.
However, purists of the game feel that pink ball cricket may overshadow the significance of the conventional red ball cricket, which has a long history
and significance.
To maintain the general integrity of the longest format, therefore, the ICC must find a compromise between the two versions of the format.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
