FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Of jackboots and malefic progress
In yet another governmental overreach, engineers engaged by the South Western Railways trespassed into private property at Velsao village sans any notice or information ostensibly to conduct surveys for the contentious double tracking project. Not only that, RVNL officials have transgressed by unilaterally delimiting land and erecting metal fences, thereby hindering the right of passage to residences and fields; all this even without the courtesy of a ‘by your leave or deed of accession’ being signed with the villagers. This is nothing but the jackboots of the Deep State trampling over people's will masquerading as 'development'. The coercive manner of land acquisition has been resolutely opposed by the local citizenry since 2008 but now the gloves are off; the government has pulled out all stops to ensure that it gets its way by hook or by crook by resorting to intimidation, threats and arm twisting tactics.
But the powers that be would be well advised to pay heed to 'vox populi' else the upcoming election bugle could very well be sounding the 'Last Post' for them. The memories of the West Bengal debacle should jog their memory (and their conscience), time to smell the coffee CM saheb.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Fake notes, very alarming news
Apropos to Marcos Gonsalves's report "There's a different fishy smell in the Margao fish market: Of fake notes" (Herald November 27, 2021). This is an alarming piece of information. The circulation of fake currency notes can destabilise the economy that is already crumbling owing to the ongoing pandemic. Households are still struggling to come to terms with the cruel price rise of essential commodities.
The law enforcing authorities must take a serious note of fake currency notes in circulation and deploy policemen in muftis or plain clothes to nab the culprits red-handed while they are carrying out transactions at the Margao Fish Market during early morning hours. If left unchecked, this cancer of fake currency notes will further weaken the financial institutions from within and destroy our fragile economy hook, like and sinker.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
Sitting for politicians at feast mass
It is observed that every year for the feast mass of St Francis Xavier on December 3, the front rows of chairs are reserved for politicians. The question that arises is whether legislators should be given this special privilege of sitting in front for the feast mass. This practice needs to be done away with. It would be in the fitness of things to reserve the first few rows of chairs for the elderly persons who are attending the feast mass.
No legislator has raised his/her voice against the alleged illegal construction that is coming up at the UNESCO heritage precinct at Old Goa. However, one of the legislators gave an ultimatum to the government to stop the construction which seems more like an afterthought. Every person is a creation of the almighty and is equal in front of God. Hence it does not seem proper to give politicians this special privilege. As the legislators are elected by the citizens it would be but natural for them to sit along with the faithful attending the feast mass. It would be in the fitness of things for the elected representatives to request the church authorities to do away with this sitting arrangement so that they can sit with the common man.
If politicians want to sit in front they need to come early for the mass like other devotees. Such special privilege can be given to politicians at entertainment programmes like film festival, food festival, tiatrs, etc, but not at the Eucharistic celebrations as all are equal in the eyes of God.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Come to the rescue of Sri Lanka
As a matter of fact, our big planet has been built by huge human efforts, both physically and mentally. Even though we have been sticking to technology, we cannot change certain things on the ground. Take greenery activities and crop cultivation as examples.
First up, you cannot talk about economic growth without supporting farming and agricultural activities. Here, if anything goes wrong, so does the whole system. Incidentally, this is what Sri Lanka has been facing now in the form of severe economic crisis. First off, Sri Lanka is a beautiful nation as a whole. Besides, factors like policy failure, lack of objectives, wasted human resources and lack of funds have killed the true spirits of agriculture and other sectors. Consequently, people have been finding it difficult to get their essentials and fulfil their daily needs.
Having discussed all, the international community and the UN should come forward to help Sri Lanka come out of this crisis. On its part, Sri Lanka should take bold and urgent steps to support farmers and agriculture right away so as to be able to stop humanitarian crises like hunger deaths in advance - the sooner the better.
Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai
Conflict of Interest for Goa 2022 polls
One should not forget the assassination in 1948, of the father of the nation 'Mahatma Gandhi' reminds us of conflict of interest in, where this promoter of democracy was murdered, just because he was suggesting good governance soon after independence.
Today, the truth that best of brains, stalwarts from crucial fields keep a distance from politics is only because none of us would have imagined even in the worst of our dreams how our politics is managed these days.
The rot we see in our politics is akin to malignant cancer, which has cultivated inefficiency, corruption, nepotism and superficial at times the ways of political rule that innocent Goemkars should not forget the plight they faced for a decade and in the recent times. Just look at the protest at Old Goa, do we need to go on hunger strike to save our own blessed heritage land of our patron Saint 'Goencho Saib'?
As Goa election is brewing, let's not get fooled by purchasing illicit stuff, where we will be forced to live for another term of fighting for our own right, protesting and sitting on hunger strike to save our own beautiful Goa - be a true Goemkar and plan your valuable vote!
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Counsellors at workplace
The introduction of counsellor at every educational institution has helped students address various mental issues and with the help of counsellors many students could combat various mental battles and focus on their academics. Having a counsellor available at the academic institutions is a benefit to the teachers as well.
Many teaching and non-teaching staff could avail the facility to address various issues and find a suitable solution. However, should this facility be only beneficial at these centres? What about other job ventures? Don't they need a counsellor? In today’s sophisticated world we often forget to address our mental issues and at times we also neglect it due to the hustle in life. Sometimes we avoid going to the counsellor due to the various taboos attached to it. But, that's not true. A counsellor keeps one's issues a secret for the rest of your life. And one should not believe in rumours attached to it. Mental health issues should become a priority like any other health issue and one should not shy away.
The government could introduce this facility at different government offices and organisations. Thus making it possible for the employees to avail this benefit to have a safer and positive environment at workplace.
Lisa Fernandes, Quepem
