TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Provide shuttle service for Dona Paula jetty
Tourist buses and most times even taxis and rented cabs are not allowed, to proceed to Doana Paula jetty as it results in traffic congestion. Tourists are dropped at the circle and they walk to view the meeting points of Mandovi River, Zuari River and the Arabian Sea.
The panoramic scene also gives a glimpse of the Mormugao Port, Vasco city, Bambolim etc. But it is pitiable to see tourists of all ages, able-bodied or otherwise, trudging under the hot sun to catch the beautiful sight. By the time they reach there, most would have lost their enthusiasm, wiped their forehead and think of the tedious up-slope walk toa the Dona Paula circle.
Last year, the autorickshaw guys at the circle used to ply short trips to the jetty and charge Rs 20 per passenger for about 500 m! Even 4-5 persons were loaded in an auto, as the traffic cops were kind enough to look the other way. Several short trips gave the auto drivers a handsome earning per day. But due to some reasons, they stopped plying their autos.
The government could ply mini e-buses and provide free and essential service to the beleaguered tourists who are made to cough up Rs 50 to enter the jetty point. The tourists would go home with good memories of the government’s good gesture. Even the locals could use the service.
aSridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Goans shy away from farming
Agriculture haas been the main occupation of our ancestors. However, farming in Goa has slipped into passive mode with focus on more lucrative and less strenuous occupations like tourism, mining, construction, besides service sector.
Some of the Goa’s main cash rich crops are cashew, coconut and spices. Halsande, tambdi baji, bhendi, Mancurad mango, Khola chillies and the like are unique to Goa and some have acquired Geographical Indication.
Goa heavily depends on neighbouring States for meetings its requirements of vegetables, dairy products, meat and even fish. The demand for fish in Goa is so high that it needs to get it from other States. Substantial fish catch of Goa goes to export market to fetch good foreign exchange.
Many absentee landlords leave their lands fallow rather than leasing out to cultivators for the fear of not getting their land back. Institutional loans, coupled with benefits under state schemes, would give the much needed liquidity to farmers to tap full potential of agriculture.
Goan youth are very much ainterested to take up agriculture, but proper agro skilling, orientation, infrastructure and handholding is required. Proper marketing and processing needs to gear up for optimal use of product which will surely help the Goan farmers.
Newton Mendonca, Aldona
Sound relaxation is a welcome step
In the wake of demand for allowing playing of music until midnight for wedding events, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday reportedly said that the state government is working on grant of permission for music to be played beyond 10 pm and that the Goa State Pollution Control Board is seized of the matter.
As it comes under the Central Act the existing law requires tweaking. It seems necessary to differentiate between music being played for wedding receptions held indoors and those held in open-air venues. Obviously music played in a closed environment will not have any detrimental effect on other citizens. It is pertinent to note that in the past music was played at wedding receptions till the wee hours of the morning. Loud music is allowed till midnight during the festive Christmas season.
Relaxation of sound restriction till midnight will give a further boost for Goa as a wedding destination. It is learnt that former chief minister Churchill Alemao has reportedly said that the Catholic community’s unique culture necessitates more hours at the wedding reception venue compared to other communities.
It must be said that no discrimination should be made as far as extending the deadline for playing music is allowed based on community. As of now wedding receptions end in a jiffy. Relaxation of the sound restriction will be a win-win situation for the guests, the hosts and wedding planners.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
World Football Day is a great honour for the game
Though top football playing nations are restricted to Europe, Latin America and African countries, the beautiful game's popularity is unmatched in non--football playing nations as well. The game is a universal language, to say so and has nicely flowered over the decades through champion players of diverse socio-economic milieu gathering together for a common cause: regale the fans with skill and perseverance. No surprise, the lovely game is viewed as a promoter of universal peace despite the onfield acrimony. The euphoria, excitement and edge-of-the-seat thrill offered by great players will haunt the fans till the existence of the game.
No game evokes such intense emotions that emanate after every goal scored. Parallelly, administrators and countries world-wide have displayed mostly unambiguous reference towards the game. Now, in a huge honour to football, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution proclaiming May 25 as “World Football Day”. May 25 marks the 100th anniversary of the first ever Football tournament. As aptly described by a diplomat at the UNGA, football is the “number one game played and followed across the globe”. Additionally, as the resolution stated, football creates a space for international cooperation. The world football day is intended to encourage global peace, overall development and women and empowerment of women and girls.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
