SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Glory to Goencho Saib
I wish to place on record the appreciation of the communities for the exemplary manner in which the rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus Father Patricio Fernandes conducted the Novenas to the Goench Saib, Saint Francis Xavier.
The Solemn High Mass, attended by devotees of different faiths, presided over by His Grace, the most Reverend Archbishop of Goa, Rev. Philip Neri Ferrao, was a most inspiring uplifting service, a befitting finale to the Novenas.
Despite the inclement weather and unseasonal rains which damaged the pandal put up for the protection of the devotees, the Rector of the Basilica Fr Patricio Fernandes, assisted by devoted volunteers, overnight repaired all the damage, and the venue was ready for the devotees at the break of dawn, on the feast day, December 3. Also due is appreciation for the gentle dignified manner in which the Archbishop in his closing address appealed to, and reminded the congregation and all communities, of the need and duty to protect the sanctity and the heritage of the most sacred area of Old Goa.
Admittedly, it’s unfortunate that it took months for all concerned stakeholders to wise up to the unfolding desirable conspiracy, but it’s not too late. May good counsel prevail at all times.
Rosario Menezes, Vasco
Omicron worries
The Omicron variant of the Corona virus infective disease is giving anxious moments to the people of the world most of whom had let their guard down reassuring themselves that the dangerous virus infection was a thing of the past. Those knowing the behaviour of viruses are, however, not surprised because they knew it was coming. If there is one type of infectious micro-organism that is known to adapt to changes, change quickly and multiply rapidly, then it has to be a virus. The widespread belief is that the new Covid variant is perhaps less lethal but more transmissible than its common variant, Sars-Cov-2. Also, it may or may not be susceptible to the existing vaccines. New vaccines may have to be prepared. But the general perception is that those who have been inoculated with two vaccine doses are relatively protected from omicron though here again more work needs to be done. However, if one considers the worldwide numbers, those nations which have gone that extra mile to fully vaccinate their people, appear to be comparatively better off.
Vaccination status of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Brazil and Hong Kong, and other countries with more cases than the rest, does not seem to inspire much. Therefore, it seems advantage India because at least fifty per cent of the population has received the first dose and nearly one-third of the people of the country have had both doses of vaccines.
Reports say the Omicron tends to infect the young below the age of 40. In addition, the patients detected with Omicron appear less symptomatic than those who suffered from the typical Sars Covid-19. Picture is yet to be clear here too but a general pain and body ache are all that point to the possibility of Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Choose sensibly in the upcoming polls
With regards to Saude Cardozo's piece "Did the system collapse or did it get exposed?", Saude Cardozo does well to recall the horror of the second wave of COVID-19 and advises voters to choose sensibility in the upcoming assembly elections in 2022. History repeats itself. We rarely learn lessons from our past mistakes. Betrayal. Hijacking of mandate. Taking voters' loyalty for granted. These are recurring themes. That said, in the growing din of electioneering where holier-than-thou approach is norm rather than exception, who cares to remember what Goa went through in the summer of 2021? Leaders are switching parties. Voters are getting more confused with each passing day. Only God can save Goa.
Our capacity to think and make an informed decision is outsourced to the so-called leaders who time and again act with duplicity and do not think twice before committing an act of betrayal.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
Don’t delay the third dose
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) consortium conducting genomic sequencing has unequivocally recommended a booster dose for those over 40, targeting high risk, high exposure and immuno compromised individuals to bolster neutralising antibodies against the omicron variant of the virus; the government should heed this advice because the vaccine shortage is behind us now. Companies are producing 35% more doses than the current offtake, have ready stocks of millions of vials and have even resumed exports.
Obviously jabbing the unvaccinated and partially vaxed is to be accorded priority but given India's stocks and production capacity (we are the world's largest producers of vaccines) administering booster doses can also happen simultaneously. Funding for the additional doses should not be an issue because only @ 19,975 crores of the Rs 35,000 crores budgetary allocation for vax procurement has been utilised. Scientific evidence strongly suggests that boosters provide additional immunity, the arrival of the omicron variant on our shores heightens the urgency of dose no.3. Delay not the booster dose.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Crime and punishment
Needless to say, those who are in power and are involved in crime should be punished according to the law of the land as they are supposed to be exemplary in their behaviour and thus should not be spared, particularly because they have betrayed the mandate of the people who elected them.
No politician who is stained by crime should be allowed to remain in power. In fact they should be disallowed from contesting elections. The Courts should be decisive in their verdict and the law of the land should be paramount in cleaning up the political firmament. Crime begets crime and crime then becomes a vicious circle that is exploited by those who are involved in it for their personal gains.
While the courts are the custodians of the written law of the land, the people as the electorate should cast those politicians indulging in crime to the dungeons of political oblivion by voting them out of power. The beginning of a new dawn has to start now and the electorate should now concentrate on choosing politicians who will be the knights in shining armour so as to become a bright new set of new politicians.
As the elections in Goa are fast approaching it is the prerogative of the electorate to decisively herald a new era where our to-be-elected representatives are sincere, intelligent, law abiding, morally upright and persons of exemplary integrity.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Precaution while erecting cellular towers
It is learnt that locals from Mangor Hill have strongly objected to the erecting of a cellular tower at the government school complex citing apprehensions that the tower may have bad impact on the health of people living in the surrounding area. It is common for citizens in the State to strongly object to the erection of a cellular tower in the locality due to its negative impact on the health of the citizens. It is understood that mobile towers emit harmful electromagnetic radiation.
Current studies suggest both short-term and long-term health risks within 300-400 metres of a cell tower. Thus great caution needs to be exercised while erecting cellular towers. The most vulnerable segments of the population to the ill effects of radiation are children and senior citizens.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
