Balloon controversy
a dent to US-China ties
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This refers to the news report “More than 10 US balloons flew in its airspace, says China”, despite the fact the Chinese surveillance balloons were operating across the northern hemisphere for several years, the US administration learnt it late and shot down at least four flying objects over North America in recent days including the first spy balloon which sparked the furore between the two nations.
The incident has dealt a severe blow to already strained US-Chinese relations. The incident prompted Secretary of State, Antony Blinken to call-off the Beijing trip aimed at easing tensions. Both countries blame each other over violating each other’s airspace. As for India, Beijing’s dealing with the current crisis both with the US at the bilateral level and the global community will have vital cues in relation to the standoff at the LAC.
Gregory Fernandes, Marcel
Selectively use Portuguese laws
We in Goa should appreciate the Portuguese rulers for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which the other States in India are in awe of and want to adopt the same. Goa is the only State that has a Common Civil Code irrespective of caste, creed, religion and gender. The citizens are governed by a single legislation whether it is marriage, succession or divorce. We should thank the Portuguese for the Civil Code wherein the incomes (except from salaries) of husbands and wives are clubbed and divided equally and reported in the tax form under Section 5A. This is because most marriages fall under the Community of Property Law.
The Portuguese rulers were tough with law and order situations and meted out justice harshly and fairly. These would be vouched by the Goans and freedom fighters, witness to the acts and as reflected in the writings of well-known Goan authors. Admittedly, during conversion to Christianity the Portuguese carried out atrocities (as happens whenever a colonial rule is imposed or when rulers captured a country or province) and several temples were destroyed and may be even churches and mosques. Some people say that in Goa we want to enjoy the UCC and IT benefits, but paint the Portuguese as ‘villains’ when it does not suit us!
The Goa government seems to have opened a can of worms by requesting people give in writing the temples razed by the Portuguese. In last year’s budget an amount of Rs 20 crore was earmarked to repair and rebuild such identified temples. If for similar reasons budgetary provision is made by the Centre and other States then the money would run in crores of rupees as India, or parts of India, was ruled at different points of time and for different periods of times by invaders and colonial powers. They were the Mughals, British, French, Dutch, Denmark-Norway, Austria, Sweden and Japan who also have (and may have) demolished religious structures. One needs to strongly condemn the past rulers, but the present rulers could spend the sanctioned funds on welfare measures for the aggrieved citizens and get their blessings. It is not worthwhile to relive or re-invent the disastrous past of India.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Mandhana strikes gold
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) broke the bank for the poster girl of Indian women’s cricket, Smriti Mandhana, at the inaugural Women’s Premier League auction. Smriti Mandhana, the first player to go under the hammer, went for a whopping Rs 3.40 crore. However, RCB didn’t stop there as they pouched another big name in Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, acquiring her for a sum of Rs 1.70 crore. Nine other Indians, including skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the U-19 World Cup-winning captain Shafali Verma, also struck gold going from Rs 1.40 crore to Rs 2.60 crore. Cricket is fast becoming a lucrative career option, and the IPL could revolutionise women’s cricket.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Chaotic scenes at Parra
Lined with palm trees, and overlooking fields on both sides it must be said that the Parra road which is off of the main highway, is one of the prettiest, most picturesque roads in Goa.
The road is spotted in several films and TV series. Goa has always been a preferred destination for tourists. But constant ignorance of laws by the tourists and repeating the mistakes multiple times make the locals angry, especially when there is no police action. Here is a similar problem where foreign tourists were caught on camera while performing stunts on the Parra road. Since it is a single lane road without any parking space or a divider, there is traffic congestion.
The locals are in a quandary as they get caught up in the traffic jam on this road since several tourist vehicles are seen parked along the roadside. It is learnt that recently, the local village panchayat started charging Rs 1,000 as garbage and entertainment tax from the tourists for shooting a video. The panchayat claims that while shooting a video, such people create a lot of garbage and traffic chaos in the area.
However, what comes as a shocker is that several tourists have demanded a separate road for the locals so that the Parra road is left for them (the tourists). This is totally unacceptable.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
DGCA has finally swung into action
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), subsequent to minor and major lapses from domestic airliners over the months in fulfilling their regulatory obligations, has swung into action. It has recently fined a major domestic airline for violation of applicable civil aviation requirements. The said low cost carrier was found to be ineffective in conducting the obligatory Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) and Instrument Rating Check. Moreover, the services of the head of training of the airline were asked to be withdrawn for three months. DGCA’s belated action has to be welcomed because nothing can be stressed more than the mandatory requirements to keep the air safe for flying.
The PPC, generally an annual test, encompasses a broad gamut of qualities necessary for a pilot to function to his maximum abilities including steering it to safety in times of distress. PPC is like a revalidation of a pilot’s skills, and there cannot be compromises on that count. Unless a pilot satisfactorily clears all re-requirement, he may be prevented from commandeering a flight. The Instrument Rating Check is complementary to the PPC; pilots need to be fully aware about the ways and means to handle every gadget at their command. The civil aviation regulator has to keep an eagle’s eye on the possible oversight on the part of every airline in the country on a consistent basis.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Huge opportunity in Goa for Goan diaspora
One of the biggest advantages for Goans is their Human Capital, which includes Goans in Goa but also particularly a significant % of the Global Goan population as Goan Diaspora (NRI or Citizens of Other Countries)!
However, the disappointing fact is that most of the Goan Diaspora hardly share or give back to Goa the international exposure, education, best practices etc. that they have been exposed to from overseas! Whilst many seem to have broken the connection with their home State, there are those whose love for Goa seems to be only limited to entertainment, food, drinks, dances, tiatrs and nothing more. Of course, to be fair I have to recognise a few exceptions to the latter two categories; as some individuals in the Goan Diaspora who are contributing a lot back to Goa.
There is huge opportunity here for Goans in the diaspora to choose to start giving back to Goa in some or whatever form possible, and my personal view it could be one of the most fulfilling things they can do in terms of giving back!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
