FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
PM or political pracharak?
Inaugurating the holographic image of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate, the purported PM spared no opportunity to denigrate previous governments by lying that they had made all efforts to obliterate the memories of many deserving heroes of the freedom struggle. He rambled on about how the BJP dispensation is the only one which has taken pains to restore the dignity of icons like Bose, Patel and Ambedkar; his words clearly are efforts at expanding the arc of reverence beyond Gandhi and Nehru to the likes of Savarkar and Golwalkar.
It is despicable how every solemn public event is turned into a 'smoke the opposition' diatribe by the PM in whose worldview nothing was achieved by India in the last 70 years and progress took off only in 2014, he just stops short of asserting that the country was liberated from the British in 2014. It is a matter of shame that the person occupying the highest post in the land and who purportedly works 18 hours a day does nothing other than shamelessly black mouthing the sterling efforts of past PMs and nullifying/altering history not conducive to the Sanghi ideology.
India is on a path of no return where the only colour acceptable is saffron. Sad, very sad.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Fire safety takes a back seat in India
This has reference to ‘Fire safety always takes a back seat in India’ (Herald January 24, 2022). The recent fire in a high rise in Mumbai was unfortunate as are several other incidents across cities like Mumbai and across the country as well. Such fires, whether in hospitals where helpless patients are killed or whether in multi storied buildings, alarming though but should not be surprising. All will be forgotten after a few days until a fresh incident occurs.
And once again, the debate whether the Fire Fighting system was in place or operational or a Fire audit had been carried out, etc. The editorial rightly states, fire safety has taken a back seat in India, and will continue remain that way for a long time to come. What is missing is the sincerity in carrying out our responsibilities, both of the part of the authorities as well as citizens themselves. It seems like human life has no value unless it is your own.
Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai
Proposed amendment in IAS rule unfair
The Centre's proposed amendment to the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, will take away the power of States to override New Delhi’s request seeking officers on central deputation. The proposed amendment says that, the Centre can summon IAS and IPS officers and send back them to the State at its will. At present, the State government has to permit an IAS or IPS officer to go on central deputation.
The Centre is attempting to bring this blatant amendment to exert control over elected State governments. The proposed amendment is a bid to subvert the State’s authority guaranteed by the Constitution. The Centre’s move is set to put it in a collision course with the States, particularly those ruled by the Opposition.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Safety in high-rise buildings
Unfortunately, six people perished and 24 others injured after an inferno ravaged the 20-storey “Kamla building” in the Tardeo area of South Mumbai. The death toll could rise as six injured are in critical condition. We believe that an explosion of an air-conditioner compressor triggered the blaze. Thirteen fire engines and seven jumbo tankers rushed to the accident site took a marathon of six hours to douse the flames.
The incident again raises fresh concerns over fire safety in high-rise buildings in the megacity.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Family raj showing its ugly face
Keeping in mind the Valentine's Day it seems these political parties are issuing tickets to couples. Even those parties who were once against family raj gave tickets to couples. Are we celebrating Valentine's Day or fighting assembly elections on February 14? Why these couples do not follow the principles of their respective parties? And why have these political parties give tickets to more than one person in one family?
And force us to pay to two or three persons in one family? Even in Government schemes money is given to only one person in one family. Ranes, Monserrates, Lobos, Khandolkars, and Kavlekars, besides these couples, there is father/daughter duet Churchill and Valanka, and duo of Dhavlikars brothers. That makes seven families in 14 constituencies. If this system continues then one day only 20 families will rule Goa as per their whims and fancies.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Pay attention to people preferences
Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan 'Abide With Me' has been dropped from the closing ceremony of this year's Republic Day. According to the programme of the Indian Army, instead of this tune 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' will be played. Does this mean that the tune 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' hasn't been played at that event yet?
Not many know how much and which tune is played in the closing ceremony. Due to the topic of removing the tune coming in the discussion, everyone has come to know that 26 tunes will be played in this year's ceremony. The tune 'Abide with Me' has been included in the closing ceremony of Republic Day since 1950. In the year 2020 this tune was removed from the ceremony for the first time. Due to this controversy, it was again included in the ceremony in the year 2021. Now again this tune has been removed from the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony.
The person who is associated with this soil can best describe India through poetry. Body gets thrilled as soon as we hear the tune of 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha'. This tune is easy to understand.
Poems written by an Indian man that can be easily understood should be included in the form of a tune. It is a well known fact that there are different views in the country regarding Gandhiji's views. Looking at the removed tune from the point of view of 'Third Party', it is known that the Republic Day celebration is of India and we have heard the tune of a foreign poet in it for many years. Is it fair? Respecting the poems of the poet is a different point.
Jayesh Rane, Mumbai
Message of sincere admiration & gratitude
We admire and thank Dr Olav Albuquerque for his immense contribution to history of Sancoale with proof of events and documentation and spreading words of wisdom to the society.
Goans of all faith are known for their harmonious living and will continue to live in the years to come.
Only humble request to every Goan, please do not politicise such issues for individual religion. We have lived in harmony and should continue to live till the Almighty calls us back.
All structures shall continue to exist, but God reigns in our hearts until we end to leave this earth.
Suggest every Goan to please refer to this write up dated January 19, 2022 on Herald by Dr Olav Albuquerque to enlighten our minds and put all controversies to rest as the truth always prevails. God bless us all
Anuradha Naik, Canacona
