SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Bribes to get govt jobs
This is in response to your head line news item in Herald dated 20.11.20 saying “State to lift moratorium on fresh recruitment…” Though this news will be a solace to all the jobless youngsters yet my fear is, will there be justice in the selection of the candidates for these jobs? Will merit be rightly considered or money power of bribe in lakhs of rupees will rule supreme?
Contrary to the current trend which is in practice in Goa since the ouster of Portuguese every government service is bribable while earlier the word Bribe was not even existent, on the contrary as I witnessed once in Panjim, the Portuguese Paklo after doing a favour on my uncle said Obrigado Senhor Conceisao; Conceisao was the name of my uncle.
The curse of Bribe was inducted in Goa by the Bhaile that came to Goa with the vast experience in Bribing that was rampantly followed in their States and thus they spread the Bribing in my virgin Goa.
Now will the CM of Goa declare openly that there will be no Bribing with lakhs of rupees even for the job of a peon in Government sector? Also will he declare that each job will be given to Goans only? As it is now Government jobs are become the monopoly of the moneyed people only who can afford to pay the bribes to the concerned people.
Otherwise, the CM of Goa must issue another statement without any shame declaring openly how much each job will cost the candidate beforehand only so that accordingly he will decide whether it is advisable to apply for the job.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Jellyfish menace
In the past few days Goa has witnessed jellyfish being washed across its beaches. It is learnt that there have been over 90 cases of jellyfish stings reported along the Goan coast during the last two days. Of these 25 cases required immediate first-aid. It is understood that in one particular incident, a man who went parasailing at Baga developed chest pain and experienced breathing difficulty after being stung by a jellyfish. Jellyfish can be both toxic and non-toxic.
Though jellyfish stings are harmless to human beings as they cause only mild irritation, in some cases they can prove dangerous.
Some varieties of jellyfish do release powerful venom into the skin. Prompt jellyfish sting treatment can quickly alleviate pain and prevent a sting from getting worse. Use of vinegar is effective in reducing the burning sensation and the release of toxins which if left in the body can have serious consequences later on.
Untreated cases can also cause allergic reactions. The lifeguards on the beaches need to be trained to treat cases of jellyfish sting.
Sign-boards warning visitors to the beach of the jellyfish should prove effective in reducing such incidents.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Mixed feelings about schools reopening
Though high and higher secondary institutions are set to reopen from November 21 onwards, the school authorities are unsure whether students shall attend classes in expected numbers. Students have been grouped in sections of 12 with the maximum number of students in school being capped at 50 in adherence to physical distancing norms.
School hours have been reduced considerably, teaching timetables compressed and morning assembly has been done away with. Sanitisation is also being carried out rigorously though maintenance grants especially to aided schools are yet to be released by the government. Many schools shall be utilising the resumption to catch up on practical classes which have been suspended since the onset of the contagion. Despite all precautionary measures being taken parents are apprehensive of sending their wards to school, their main concern is that it will be impossible for teachers to keep an eye on each student and kids being kids they would group together during recess to play. Besides it is doubtful whether sanitisation measures shall be strictly conducted on a continuous basis once classes commence.
The fact that only 50% parents attended the meeting with school authorities to discuss resumption of physical classes itself speaks volumes about the dilemma parents are in. Both the parents and the schools are adopting a ‘wait and watch' policy for now, let's hope and pray that the situation normalises in the months to come and students are not deprived of education.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
A void is created
In the untimely passing away of India's most talented woman governor of Goa, a sombre shock has descended on the country. Known for her writing skills in the national language Hindi, she has left an unfulfilled vacuum for generations to come.
Controversies aside, her books imparted glorious connotations in Hindi which will be hard to emulate. Mridula Sinha, the first woman Governor of Goa to get the coveted post, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on Wednesday. A renowned Hindi writer, Sinha was also the former president of BJP Mahila Morcha and also the former chairperson of Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), Ministry of Human Resource Development. President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi were among the prominent personalities to pay tribute to the first woman Governor of Goa.
A native of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Sinha will be remembered for starting cultural events called ‘chaand ke saath’ in the lawns of Governor House. She had also opened a cattle shed inside the Raj Bhawan. Her speeches praised Goan mangoes which she would send to dignitaries across the country. What Goanly love for us Goans. Her contribution in the field of art and culture have not gone unnoticed.
In retrospect, Mridula Sinha is a woman who deserves the highest award in Indian politics, for her writings and her non political aspirations.RIP dear 'motherly figure' Mridula. You will be sorely missed.
Sebastian Mascarenhas, Pune
