FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Double track game-changer?
I am really surprised to hear that Goa Govt is using double tracking thru Goa’s pristine villages, as a game-changer to grow tourism.
We know, that Goa gets decent yes but also largely indecent/civilised tourists, who come on very tight budgets and make a mess of Goa and contribute practically nothing to the State’s economy. Eating in open, defecating, making women tourists/local uncomfortable etc.
Is the game-changer stated by the Goa Govt to make Goa a bigger mess then what it is? And by encouraging such low grade tourists are we not driving away the type of tourists who we actually need, decent and contribute to our economy?
We need quality tourists and the current air/road/rail transport links are more than enough for the same. Goa Govt, please try some other excuses for the desperate double tracking that you want to do.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Education must for juvenile delinquents
Taking cognizance of complaints against government-run schools denying admission to juvenile delinquents, the Director of Education (DoE) has reportedly asked schools to strictly adhere to ‘zero rejection’ policy.
It is understood that denying school admission to children who are in conflict of law violates provision of the Goa Children’s Act Section IV and sub section II. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child when the Act came into force on April 1, 2010. The Act makes education a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14 and specifies minimum norms in elementary schools.
The right to education is a human right and indispensable for the exercise of other human rights. Quality education aims to ensure the development of a human being. For this human right to work there must be equality of opportunity, universal access, and enforceable and monitored quality standards. Education is a key social and cultural right and plays an important role in reducing poverty and child labour.
Furthermore, education promotes democracy, peace, tolerance, development and economic growth. Being a juvenile delinquent is no reason for depriving children of their right to education. In fact children who are caught on the wrong side of the law are the ones who need education the most in order to make them better human beings as they grow up and go back to the society so that they do not feel unwanted and rejected.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Historic court verdict
The verdict by Delhi Court Judge Dharmendra Rana in the Disha Ravi case gave us confidence that the integrity of the Indian Judiciary is still not compromised totally. Salute to him and activist Disha Ravi.
Disha Ravi was punished for supporting the protesting farmers by BJP by falsely arresting her and accusing her in the toolkit case. Media branded her anti-national who conspired to incite violence in India. But the courts verdict releasing her on bail has embarassed both BJP and Delhi Police.
The court made very important statements. Citizens are the conscience keepers of the govt in any democratic nation. They cannot be put behind bars simply because they choose to disagree with the state policies.
Sedition cannot be invoked to minister to the wounded vanity of the government. The right to dissent in firmly enshrined in the article 19 of the Indian constitution which gives freedom of speech and expression. Creation of a Whatsapp group or being editor of a toolkit is not an offense. This shows Government cannot brand anyone antinational or terrorist and put them behind bars simply because they disagree with the state policies.
Godwin D'Costa, by email
Impact on petrol, diesel prices
Consumers of petrol, LPG and diesel have been adversely impacted in the last couple of months and individuals still preferring private vehicles over public transport have had to bear the brunt of rising prices.
The uneasiness in the surge in petroleum prices for individuals is akin to the surge in food commodities like onion, tomatoes, potatoes, pulses, rice and wheat, with the only anomaly being that the former commodities i.e., petrol and diesel, may not be a daily feature of some sections of the society. But if the government steps in to reduce taxes, the relief could only be marginal.
The domino effect of rising petrol prices on other components has still not crept in and may further strain the purses of consumers. We think that we may see 'Acche Din' of prices touching 100 rupees per litre. And it's a gift from God to India. Three digit figure not far away this year.
K.G.Vilop, Chodan
Vasco new fish market plan
Given the latest 'Swayampurna Goa' concept for development of basic infrastructure such as market, bus stand and community hall, the municipalities in Goa, particularly the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) must take full advantage to build the long awaited mew fish market complex in Vasco town, as soon as possible.
As we are aware, the existing Vasco fish market seems outdated, and does not depict a pretty picture of the town. Therefore, I plead with the MMC and concerned authorities to kindly utilise this scheme, in the best interest of Vasco.
Augustus Alphonso, Vasco
God of surprises
A few days back, we were shocked to hear the sad news of the sudden demise of Fr Conceicao D.Silva, Fr Vasco Rego Sj, Fr Antonio Cotta and Fr Joseph John Fernandes.
Although death has snatched them from us in the twinkling of an eye yet we believe they have been raised to life, sharing in the resurrection of Christ. One just cannot forget the immense contribution that they have rendered towards our Church in the field of Evangelization, Konkani language, Liturgical Music, Pastoral field etc.
Our Archdiocese is greatly indebted to them for they were Spiritual, Intellectual, Pastoral, Biblical giants. Although their death has left a void in the heart of the Archdiocese of Goa in particular and in the Church in general yet I believe that our God is a God of surprises. He can spring surprisea and can give birth to new Evangelisers, intellectuals, Konkani teachers, liturgical musicians, dedicated pastors etc. and lead the church forward come what may.
May each priest get touched by the wonderful mission that these priests have carried out in their life and give his best in the pastoral field, leaving God to do the rest.
Joaquim Fernandes, by email
Give us our money
Goa receives Rs 300 crore in the Union Budget of 2021 for 60 years of Liberation. Every Goan is a part of the celebration and recipient of the budget allocation. Where will the money go, everyone wonders and asks the question. It is presumed the panchayats will receive Rs 1 crore each. There are 89 panchayats. What remains with the govt is Rs 211 crore. That is our money to be distributed to the Goenkars. Says one senior Goenkar: te poixe serkarachea bapaiche nhoi.
Indeed! In 2014 we were promised Rs 15k in our account if the BJP comes to power, along with ‘acche din’; neither has come true. This budget money has now come and the Pramod government must fulfill the promise.
The general opinion of the Goans is this issue has to be taken up under Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that the Goa government does not waste the budget bonus in unwanted expenditures for self publicity, it belongs to the people by right and we should not be deprived of our share.
Ayres Sequeira,
Salvador do Mundo
