SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
Tiatr lovers will miss comedian Selvy
Within a span of one month two stalwarts of the Konkani stage have left the world stage. After the tragic news of the death of Tragedy King Mario Menezes comes the shocking news of the death of ace comedian of the Konkani stage Selvy. He was a natural comedian who kept the audience spellbound with his acting and had them laugh their hearts out. His sheer sight on the stage was enough to make the audience laugh. He was one of the all time great comedians of the Konkani stage and his comedy videos on YouTube are very popular. He was a true comedian and his timing was so perfect.
Selvy was an epitome of laughter. Acting was in his blood. Born Matheus Correia he made us laugh through his acting and his untimely demise has left us with tears in our eyes and our hearts filled with sadness. He has gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. He left us too soon. The Konkani tiatr has lost a gem of a person. Indeed a great loss for the Konkani tiatr stage. He had numerous fans all over the world where Goans have settled. He was my favourite comedian. Goan tiatr lovers will miss him. May the Lord grant him eternal peace.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Selvy will remain in Goans’ hearts
It is hard to believe that Selvy you are no more. Yes we all have to leave this world one day. Exactly after one month of late Mario Menezes director and tiatrist, we have lost another brilliant comedian of Konkani stage Bab Selvy. You made Goans laugh through the gloom. Comedian Selvy who managed to make Goa and Goans across the world laugh despite of their sorrow, leaves the land on which he tried to deliver serious messages through his talents of comedy, Konkani songs and tiatr.
Your all time favourite partner on Konkani stage was comedian Janet. You entertained all the tiatr lovers with your talent. Goans will miss you on Konkani stage but you will always be there in every Goan heart's. Your son will take your name forward in tiatr as he has a great talent like you. Our condolences to his entire family. May his soul rest in peace.
Ronnie D'Souza, Chandor
Waterfalls or deathtraps?
Every monsoon the Mhadei wild life sanctuary in Sattari attracts several people to its waterfalls. However, lack of discipline and cautiousness besides apathy of the government authorities to keep a check are turning these hidden gems into deathtraps.
Earlier this month two college going youth from Vasco died at Tonir falls in Caranzol. While forest officers claim that their staff make efforts to restrain people from venturing into the inaccessible and remote areas, there is a lack of coordinated initiatives from other agencies to establish law and order. The forest authorities should impose hefty entrance fees and set daily quotas to discourage people from crowding the waterfalls, this money can then be used to ensure cleanliness, general upkeep as well as for deploying locals as lifeguards and trackers during the monsoons.
There is also a need to install sign boards warning against venturing into deep pools at the base of the falls and other risky areas. The government wants to bet big on hinterland tourism, however, absence of sound and systematic model of eco-tourism will result in chaos all-round. Coupled with the fact that there are no meaningful curbs on misbehaviour and drinking by rowdy visitors, the idea of hinterland tourism would remain stillborn. Strict monitoring at the sarkari and village level is required to prevent fatalities at places which are meant to be enjoyed.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Monsoon magic adorns Goa
You've got to take the good with the bad. Flooding and disruption of normal life being a drag, nonetheless, the monsoon in Goa is a season that fills up your senses if you decide to take a walk in the rain. The experience of dodging the raindrops as is known to be a fable, is what attracts tourists to Goa from far and wide.
The other sublime aspect is the sheer green canopy that covers Goa as the monsoon sets in, a double whammy, a sight to behold and a season when the luxuriant greenery provides abundance of oxygen to rejuvenate us. The temperatures too, are more conducive to good health and thus the monsoon, by and large in Goa is a time to behold, basking this tiny state in a mesmerizing and tantalising natural experience that is most pleasing to the senses.
The towering coconut palms adorn the coastal areas with a heady feeling that enraptured you in a trance. Thus the monsoon is a season when everyone can have a ball, enjoying its sheer magic. The twittering of the morning birds awaken us to a surreal new day. Goa has not yet lost its magnetic allure.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
May good governance at Panchayat level thrive
The sordid imbroglio over the Panchayat elections that has been witnessed over the last few months has finally ended with the decks cleared for186 Goa Panchayats to go to the polls on August 10. Panchayats have been the backbone of the Indian villages since the beginning of time.
This faceless government tried every trick possible to postpone these vital elections. Over the last few weeks so much of the High Court’s time was consumed hearing numerous petitions on this issue.
The final batch of petitions was over the reservation of OBC seats not done in line with the Supreme Court directives and norms. The High Court has strongly reprimanded the State Election Commission on this issue but was helpless in being unable to undo this illegality.
This government which has become so thick skinned besides insensitive has become immune to judicial strictures which they don’t seem to care about. Disrespecting Court orders seems so glaringly obvious and by now is a BJP trait.
In a democracy, free and fair elections are fundamental, as otherwise it would be an exercise in futility. Politicians in Power must not manipulate and dictate terms to officials whose mandate is to ensure free and fair polls. It is vitally important that the people must not be denied their fundamental right to a free and fair election.
The ball is now in the People’s Court who should ensure that good, knowledgeable, and dedicated persons with integrity are elected to the Panchayats so that good governance at grass root level is ensured. The leaders at Panchayat level today, who perform well, may be the leaders in the Assembly and at the National level tomorrow.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Murmu, the new President
There can be no second opinion that the NDA headed by the BJP nominated Draupadi Murmu as the President not out of any special attachment to the tribals whose life style remains quite pathetic and uncertain even today but only to reap the votes from this group. Further, they hope that Murmu would be amenable to all their dictates in the days to come.
If Murmu wants to go into history as a successful and popular President, she should assert herself from day one and prove that she is not a rubber stamp President who signs on dotted lines.
This is a God send opportunity for her to prove that despite her humble beginning, she will act only as per her conscience and the tenets of the Constitution while taking important decisions. She should not hesitate to return the bills particularly any amendment to the Constitution that may be detrimental to the interests of the people and create unrest in the country.
Shalini Gerald, Chennai
