02 Dec 2022  |   05:52am IST

Letters to the editor ( 02 December 2022)

Computerise all mutations

Sometimes it's not easy to trace applied information under RTI in respect of old mutations and partition files in mamlatdars, and deputy collectors’ offices or any other offices may be. 

As the manual public records become older and older, those become either tearable or untraceable. Therefore the computerisation of every public record by government is become need of hour.

When I applied some partition information under RTI Act, I was replied that ,files were not traceable, and will be informed when traced. This remedy of reply just to safeguard time limit of RTI Act. However, government must deliberately simplify the RTI Act to provide required information to public, punctually. 

 We are living in digital India. So every public document must be digitalised from the inception of procedure, likewise from in-warding to disposal of partitions and mutations cases. Not only that ,even old cases should be computerised to avail on RTI requests to the public. 

Some partitions information was asked in a wake of one name of person was deleted from other rights column of survey records. Access of justice must be prompt. Respect RTI Act as evidences of justice. 

Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora


Change paid rich dividends

England put their best foot forward to hammer Wales 3-0 and top Group B at the FIFA World Cup in Doha. England coach Gareth Southgate’s ploy to drop Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka and replace them with Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden paid rich dividends as the duo scored all three goals. While Rashford pulled off a brace, Foden scored the other. The Three Lions, who mustered an impressive seven points from three games, will meet Senegal in the pre-quarter-final.

N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru


Road mannerisms

This has reference to the editorial ‘Road mannerisms, disciplining begin at home’ (Herald, December 1, 2022).

That was an in-depth, eye-opening editorial with regard to mannerisms, discipline on the road. The incident mentioned in your editorial of a woman getting crushed to death by a minor driving a vehicle, apparently without a licence, made for horrible reading. It was indeed a heart-wrenching incident and should make one sit up and think. Such incidents are also of course, not new to cities like Mumbai.

So, where does the solution lie? Well, what is needed is a two-way effort. We cannot just let the authorities deal with such incidents. As your editorial states, road mannerisms, disciplining begin at home. Parents must also restrain their minor children from driving, whether in drunken state or sober. Traffic rules are made for everybody's safety and they must be followed.

Of course, it is not going to be easy considering today's generation, but we must do our bit. And while we are at it, we need to look at those riding Two-wheelers without wearing a helmet, both adults and youngsters. We need to understand that helmets are meant for the safety of the riders. Just the other day, I stopped a college youth riding a scooter with a helmet lying below his feet. I insisted that he wear the helmet. Yes, we need to do our part. It is truly said, charity begins at home!

Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai


Regulate and control tourists

Why do residents count for nothing to our government? Regulate and control tourists instead.

Dr Luis Dias' article in your November 30, 2022 edition ‘Why do residents count for nothing to our government?’ has hit the nail on the head in terms of the malaise that has infected the Goa government for years together. It is as if the local citizens who live here just do not exist. 

The locals are taken for granted and any signs of protest or dissent are bulldozed over by brute force or by devious means. Take the case of the off-shore casinos which were supposed to be moved out of the Mandovi. They continue to exist and prosper with six-monthly renewals. Why because they pay the enhanced licence fees to the government without a murmur. 

The extent of their prosperity can be seen from their expanding footprint on the Mandovi waterfront right from the Old Secretariat to the Ferry jetty. Almost all the off-shore casinos are owned by outsiders with very limited employment of Goans but yet they continue to thrive hogging the waterways and the waterfront. 

Everything in Goa is now oriented towards the outsider or the all important tourist who has the lure of lucre with him and brings money to the State. Every agency of the State be it the police or the taxi industry and even the hotel and restaurant establishments take the sides of the outsider in the event of any dispute with a local. This has to stop and considerations for the locals should be taken into account by the government and allow them to lead a peaceful and comfortable life free from nuisance from noisy, irresponsible and nauseous tourists. Is that too much to ask?

Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz


President’s visit to Goa

What does President Murmu's visit mean to Poinguinim, Canacona and to our little beautiful state Goa?

President, the head of the state and is also called the first citizen of India, who has fixed duties and powers as the President of India, which she has to execute for the welfare of the country to preserve, protect and defend the constitution, however, has whole heartedly accepted the invitation for the December 9, 2022 to grace the "Lokotsav - Adarsh Gram" at Amone, Poinguinim as confirmed by our own Assembly Speaker Ramesh Bab Tawadkar, who is not only the MLA of Canacona constituency but most respected Poinguinkar also being a long time known academia.

At the Lokotsav, over 100 to 200 years old traditional tribal cuisine, where variety of delicious boiled rice based and other authentic tribal local food will be on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner - also ayurvedic herbal medicines, locally home grown vegetables, handmade craftsmanship, folk songs, dance and much more will be exhibited.

These beautiful exhibition will be glamorously showcased spreading to around 500 various stalls expecting over a lakh of visitors coming from all over Goa and other States from December 7 to 11. Apart from the above, there will be games-sports competition, where thousands of participants of different ages will take part and have a different type of extravagant time.

Our beloved President Droupadi Murmu being tribal herself and gracing the tribal festival   interacting with local tribals and other Goans, is itself a big feat and a pride moment for Poinguinim, Canacona and for Goa at large. The Lokotsav is an annual event with this year reaching 22nd, however, this being extraordinary will showcase folk tradition, which is organised by Adarsh Yuva Sangh,. resident's acceptance of visiting Amone, Poinguinim reminds me of this famous Quote: "When struggles and challenges are holding you down, a simple welcoming hand toward you is all you need to lift you up" - one can imagine the post impact of this remarkable visit by "Head of the State" Hon'ble President Droupadi Murmu.

Gaston Dias, Sarzora


IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar