SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Novenas of St Joseph Vaz
The nine-day novenas leading to the feast day of St Joseph Vaz on January 16 commences from today January 7 at the usual site of the old church of Our Lady of Health, Sancoale. In the past hundreds of devotees used to attend the novena mass every day. Faithful from various deaneries in the state used to also participate in a walking pilgrimage to Sancoale. This was not held in the previous year because of the pandemic. This year too things have not changed as we are in the midst of the third wave of Covid-19.
To make matters worse, the new variant ‘Omicron’ is also active in the state. The Omicron virus is more infectious than the Delta virus and hence this year extra precaution needs to be taken. All Covid-19 related protocols like 50% attendance at the novena and feast mass, wearing of masks by the faithful, social distancing, hand sanitization necessary pandemic related protocol while distributing the communion need to be strictly adhered to.
It would be desirable for the faithful from far off places not to crowd the venue at Sancoale but rather to follow the novena masses and feast mass which will be live-streamed on YouTube as also the Diocesan website namely CCRTV and GCTV. Various churches in the state could also have the novena masses and celebrate the feast in honour of St. Joseph Vaz at the local parishes. This will reduce the number of devotees at the main venue in Sancoale and help to stop the spread of the virus.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Precautions are better than cure
The no sign ending Covid-19 or Coronavirus is like waiting to hear the launch of a new byproduct - but the difference is, it is not an excitement but an anxiety of fear. However, it is not so for people to feel out of danger being fully vaccinated as the various policies proclaim the leverage of safety - No.
It is something one can agree to disagree, if so, why are 1000s of practicing doctors and front line workers while practicing are infected these days? Were they not vaccinated for Corona? Or are we misunderstanding holding the Covid-19 vaccination certificate that does not have an expiry date to follow or we are not aware that the vaccine is not an antivirus dose, but helps our body to develop immunity to the virus.
WHO and top experts working on this deadly virus, have updated us on Omicorn making it's presence, warning us to follow the Covid-19 SOPs, which is the most and only important tool to save us against infection - but in reality, some just don't follow or care.
Yes, they do wear a mask protecting their respective chins and never miss to shake hand or hug, totally forgetting the physically distancing norm. And some, being stereo type have various parties and gathering - not forgetting those who run to attend political meetings, not realizing that those on the podium will never regret if you pick-up the infection - nor will visit you as then, they will apply the Covid-19 SOPs for their life becomes selfishly important to them.
Few would say "this virus is come to stay, if it is written in my destiny, I will die of Coronavirus" - but why should one suicide, is the question? It is important to understand life and death. Death is an eternal truth, it will definitely occur today or tomorrow, but you have one life, live it today. Live your life greatly the way in which you remain important to the world even after you die as death is indeed inevitable. Therefore, live to the fullest before death engulfs the life forever - Stay safe, live healthy and long!
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
No such thing as free lunch
With elections on the horizon, it's open season for tempting the citizenry with SOPs and no party is holding back.
In Punjab a prospective CM has promised financial assistance of upto Rs 20,000 for girl children and interest free loans for their higher studies besides Rs.2000 for each homemaker. Another party with an eye on Goa's throne has promised Rs 1000 to each girl child, free electricity and water. The moot point is, where is the money going to come from? Certainly not from the neta's bank account but from the aam aadmi's pockets by way of increased taxes, cess, excise, GST etc. etc. Most states' treasuries are in a poor shape and fiscal constraints are forcing governments to either cut corners or widen the tax net.
Delivering on these sops is like robbing Peter to pay Paul and many a time the promised benefits are conveniently forgotten; that's the easy way. So folks, don't get taken in by the rhetoric and jumla of politicians, vote for an honest hardworking candidate not for a party.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Tourism hits a rough patch
Hotels had a bumper micro season in the run up to Christmas and New Year but a sharp upswing in cases over the past week has brought the hospitality industry to it's knees. Hotels are witnessing a spate of booking annulments , so are international flights which would have brought in tourists (most of whom have cancelled their travel plans anyway); a few stray charters from Russia and Kazakhstan don't really provide breakeven volumes for stakeholders.
What is worrisome is that many passengers who board flights with Covid
-ve status turn positive on arrival, instead of 'visa on arrival' they get 'virus on arrival' and end up spending their holiday in institutional quarantine, certainly not something they had bargained for. Visitors from 'at risk' countries like UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil and South Africa have to mandatorily undergo a 14-day quarantine irrespective of their infection status.
Many destination weddings planned in Goa have also been cancelled, ironically most of these events are the ones which were postponed due to the two preceding waves of the pandemic. The tourism industry is expecting an @30% drop in revenue provided things don't get worse from here onwards. As yet no hard restrictions are in place but if the Omicron driven global surge in infections warrants it, the almost stillborn season will die a premature death. Tough times.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Frequent sojourns by politicians
Come election seasons and most politicians (Central, States) of all designations (Cabinet, Union, Minister for State, Chief Ministers etc.) make a beeline to campaign in the States where elections are due. There will be a constant flow of incoming and outgoing politicians and cops are kept on their toes to provide safety and security to the VIP. The public is put to hardships due to stopping or diversion of traffic, closing of establishments along the route of the VIP, banners, posters and arches. Wherefrom the funds are mobilised for the VIP who go to canvass? Are the trips made from government money or party funds? Do corporates help out in the way of money, helicopters, airplanes, security etc? And once the election is won/lost, the business houses who sponsored the VIP would obviously seek their pound of flesh in some form.
Considering these factors, the Election Commission (EC) need to ask the political parties to declare their source of funding spent on canvassing before the election dates are announced. Since the corporates will have vested interest, the EC should not permit them to sponsor the visits of the VIP. In this age of technology and ongoing pandemic, politicians could address the citizens through videos, computer graphic and fauxlography methods.
Will we have another T.N. Seshan in the EC’s office to take on the powers that be to cut down on such unwanted sojourns, wastage of money and decrease the carbon footprints?
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
