12 Aug 2022  |   05:39am IST

Letters to the editor ( 12 August 2022)

Are we worthy of a democracy?

With the completion of Panchayat Election, one responsibility is over and with it the bigger joke of electoral democracy is also gone. I must say that we value democracy but most of our elders felt that time did not dawn on Goa for practising electoral democracy and precisely because of this overwhelming majority of Goans did not fight with our colonial masters to grant us electoral democracy knowing generally speaking we will make a mess of it, as we are doing now.

In the name of electoral democracy we are selling our votes and then those who get elected thru these purchased votes make everybody to bow down in front of them because they feel they are not duty bound to serve the locals since they purchased their votes, hence they are not obligated to anyone to do anything except thru bribing to recover their money they spent in lakhs to purchase them the votes. 

We Goans are least bothered to properly practise electoral democracy, the democracy that we got from Bharat is like tips to the waiters. As time goes we will prove that we are not worthy of democracy. 

A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim


Illuminated church looks resplendent

Several photographs of the church St Francis of Assisi at Old Goa, which has been illuminated in the colours of the national tricolour since August 1 have been appearing in the Social Media. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has illuminated the church as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The church looks resplendent in the colours of the national flag. The 17th century church of St Francis of Assisi happens to be one of the hundred monuments in the country that have been illuminated in the colours of the national flag and is the only monument to be selected from Goa.

Indeed a proud moment for every Goan and the catholic community. One of the most famous historical places of Goa, the church and convent of St Francis of Assisi attracts a large number of tourists from across the globe. The church together with a convent was established by eight Portuguese Franciscan friars who landed in Goa in 1517. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It boasts of being one of the best examples of Portuguese Architecture.

Designed with laterite stone, this church was initially a small chapel. In the year 1529, it was reconstructed and was converted into a Church. However, it was then closed as the Portuguese government could not maintain it. 

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco


Is the  secrecy of vote

violated during polls?

Secrecy of vote is an important right of a citizen and it is assured in the election rules. Unfortunately, this is violated and belied in the present system and procedure as witnessed in the just concluded Panchayat election. 

There is a serial number printed both on the ballot paper and also on the counterfoil on which the signature of the voter is taken. Not only this, the name of voter and the serial number of the ballot paper issued to him are loudly announced in the polling booth which is noted down by the agents of the candidates present in the booth on the copy of the electoral roll in their hand.

Now if the candidate wishes to know who a few voters have voted for, he or his agent present in the counting hall can closely watch in which compartment of the box the numbered ballot paper is put. Needless to say the marked copy of the electorate roll, used ballot papers and their counterfoils remain in the custody of the election authority. Thus both the authority and the candidate come to know who a citizen has voted for. The system needs to be corrected. The secrecy of a citizen’s vote cannot be compromised in any way.

Rodney de Souza, Assagao


Remembering Goa’s

first CM Bandodkar

Today we observe the death anniversary of Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar. He assumed office on December 20, 1963 and continued as Chief Minister till his sudden death on August 12, 1973. His funeral procession from Altinho to Miramar was a sea of humanity. Affectionately referred to by all as ‘Bhausaheb’ he was undoubtedly the best Chief Minister we have had. Dayanand Bandodkar may have initially been for the merger of Goa with Maharashtra, but he respected the people’s verdict in that 1967 Opinion Poll and toiled with a vision and passion towards the all round development of Goa.

As a friend and carer of the poor, with a vision laid the sound foundation of Goa’s progress. Unlike many of today’s politicians who are self-centred, Dayanand Bandodkar relentlessly raised and pursued issues concerning the backward, down-trodden, and neglected communities. Leaders of his integrity, honesty and commitment we may rarely see in today’s shoddy arena of political pygmies. He dared to speak from his heart and always walked the talk.

Only a few of such politicians still remain in our midst and will also be remembered for the good done.  Our youth need to be made aware of the rich and invaluable contribution to Goa by our first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar who cannot be consigned as our forgotten hero.

Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar


Venkaiah Naidu leaves

an enviable legacy 

When Venkaiah Naidu was made to contest for the post of Vice President of the country, it was alleged that it was only to pack him off from the BJP party to avoid his claims to some top position in the government which he very richly deserved. His mentioning in his parting speech in the Rajya Sabha that his eyes were full when Prime Minister advised, read as forced, him to contest as VP, not for any other reason but because he was pushed out of his party to which he was a loyal soldier right from his student days.

During his tenure as the VP and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, we have found him to be an excellent administrator, a man endowed with the rare gift to make his presence always pleasurable and peaceful and a tactful trouble shooter whether it is the Elders House of the Parliament or any other institution. To the best of our knowledge, he proved impartial and straight forward in his decisions and deliveries which would have definitely irked the ruling dispensation.

This became evident when he was humiliated by denying elevation as the President of the country as it is alleged that the saffron party didn't want to take any chance in the 2024 general elections keeping someone of his stature, attitude and qualities in the Rachna Hills. One only hopes that the gentleman Venkaiah Naidu, an outspoken person will record all his experiences, gains, losses and disappointments in his life, both social and political, in his Memoirs said to be in the offing. 

Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai


Biharis deserve a better future

Unfortunately, in the circus played by Nitish Kumar the State and its people are made to suffer. Bihar deserves more than they are getting, development, education, jobs, better life, etc.

Biharis deserve a better future, but the antics of the political set-up is taking them backwards. The Bihari people are very good and strong in forming a consensus. Time they used this strength, and voted en masse for BJP. The problem is the narrative being driven by the political agenda of goons, who have left the State in a bloody mess. 

We have seen the trapezium in the circus many times and it is a repeat one in Bihar. However, a lot needs to be done to bring the State out of the dark abyss it has fallen into.

The educated elite of Bihar need to take matters into their own hands and ensure governance by the BJP is restored.

C K Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai 


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