SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
Public voices cannot be silenced
On one hand we are facing a raging vicious pandemic while people of Goa are braving the authorities in their public protests across the State on so many crucial and vital issues. From the very North to the South end of Goa its demonstrations galore every day.
In a democracy the government is duty bound to listen to the voices and aspirations of the people. Public protests cannot be throttled while this insensitive government during this pandemic is facing public outrage on a range of issues all over.
We are lucky that the Ribandar-Chimbel Chapel issue has been successfully resolved by PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar and hopefully our Panjim MLA Babush Monserrate will deliver on his solemn promise of resuming full health care facilities at the Old Ribandar Hospital. So with this the government has two less public issues to currently grapple with.
Taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis it is deplorable and absolutely unacceptable that the government is trying to fast track projects that the people are strongly opposed to. The Government needs to rise to the occasion and hear and respect the voices of the people and take them into confidence.
In the given scenario and in view of the pandemic, it would be prudent for the Chief Minister to form a broad based all party committee to hear, deliberate and decide on issues that are being currently agitated all along the State.
Over to you Mr Chief Minister. This is the time people expect you to act as a Statesman and take the entire state into confidence and along in all that you plan and venture into. The public voices cannot be suppressed or silenced for long. Goa seems to have reached a boiling point. You need to rise to the occasion Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Aires Rodrigues,
Ribandar
Our Lady of Pilar feast today
Goa is blessed to have a village named after Our Lady of Pilar whose feast we celebrate on October 12. Our Lady of Pilar was the first apparition of Mother Mary in 40 AD in Zaragoza Spain to St James the Apostle when he was feeling hopeless and depressed and when Mother Mary was still living. She is the patroness of the Pilar Fathers and Mother of the Missions.
The devotion to Our Lady of Pilar was started in Goa by the Franciscan Capuchos who built the monastery at Pilar dedicated to our Lady of Pilar in 1613.
Another church in Seraulim dedicated to Our Lady of Pilar was built in 1635 by the Jesuits. Over 400 years our Lady of Pilar has been protecting Goa and its people just like St. Francis Xavier but not much is known about her among the people of Goa.
Many miracles have been reported through her intercession but the 3 famous ones approved by the Catholic Church are winning of the battle at Calanda, restoration of an amputed leg and protection of Spain from Communism.
I have personally experienced her powerful intercession since the last few days since I started praying to her.
During her apparition in Spain she made 3 promises -- my image will remain till the end of time, the faith will not be extinguished in this city and at no time will there be lacking true devotees and here the Most High will shower abundantly His graces on those who should invoke my aid in their needs. These promises of our lady are valid even today.
As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Pilar let us seek her intercession in times of our distress and hopelessness and spread her devotion among the people.
Avelino de Sa,
Miramar
Making social welfare work for the nation
Financial support to farmers should not be extended to all but only to those affected by climatic conditions such as drought, floods or pests. However, financial support should reach farmers when they most need it after verification. Instead of blanket schemes, registered farmers may be disbursed a national pension after attaining the age of 55-60 years.
Even free housing schemes should be discouraged and affordable amounts in flexible instalments should be recovered from beneficiaries, without undue impediments. Subsidised ration in the form of edible items like rice, wheat, sugar and edible oils as well as distribution of small LPG cylinders should be continued on the basis of financial necessity.The idea behind rationalising of welfare measures is that except the most vulnerable sections of society, most should contribute their mite towards nation building.
Having learnt the lessons from the debacle of how families and individuals were caught unawares due to the lack of savings and financial support, citizens should be encouraged to save regularly in safe schemes in order that they may be able to support themselves in lean times.
Social welfare schemes may be continued for those in adversity, for the senior citizens as well as the disadvantaged sections such as widows, the disabled as well as the disadvantaged.
Elvidio Miranda,
Panjim
A true voice of Goa
Kudos to Herald, a popular news daily of Goa, for completing successfully 37 glorious years of publication of its English news edition. Undoubtedly Herald, which is a complete newspaper in all respects, has been always in the forefront to support and expose all types of issues and problems affecting Goenkars from all walks of life.
The yeoman service that is being rendered by this True Voice of Goa to the public of Goa by its uncompromising courage and style of writing has only increased its esteem, reputation and readability amongst Goenkars and other readers.
The contribution that's being made by Herald to the cause of Goa and Goans and the overwhelming liking and credibility enjoyed by it can be easily summarised in the words of Michael Connelly, a prolific writer and author, "A newspaper is the centre of a community, it's one of the tent poles of the community and that's not going to be replaced by websites and blogs".
Antonio Diniz,
Fatorda
WhatsApp facility for quick service
It is understood that the Chief Officer of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has provided a WhatsApp number to the citizens on the second day of taking charge so that people can highlight their grievances and bring to the notice of the municipal authorities any illegalities being carried out.
It is believed that this facility got a good response since within just two days, 20 citizens had sent WhatsApp messages highlighting their grievances and illegalities which were addressed immediately or are being verified.
This is a step in the right direction as senior citizens and those with disabilities find it difficult to visit the municipality to address their difficulties.
In these times of the pandemic it is also not advisable for people to crowd the municipal offices in order to get their work done. As payments can be done online, in the similar way the internet should be made full use of to address the grievances of the citizens by the civic body.
Other municipalities and panchayats also need to introduce a dedicated WhatsApp number so that people can get in touch with the authorities from the safety of their homes. Citizens can also remind the authorities of their complaints through the WhatsApp messages.
This will ensure time-bound deliver of service by the civic bodies.
Adelmo Fernandes,
Vasco
