The contribution of our Saxttikars in the protection of Goa and Goanness was immense. From the time of freedom movement for Goa, the tallest Goan Freedom Fighters were from Salcette and moreover they were not communal, they involved in freedom movement to protect Goa as it was with all the characteristics intact without liquidating anything nor merging Goa with  Maharastra  with Marathi as official language.

After December 19, 1961 entire Salcette stood firmly behind the protection of Goa. The victory for Goans in the Opinion Poll was entirely due to the Salcette voters. The Konkani language movement got success mainly because of Saxttikars where our Ilhaskar brothers also suffered martyrdom  leading to the granting of Stehood on Goa. 

Saxttikars are known to be the strong followers of democratic norms.  Following this principle they must now vote the right candidates who will not align with any communal party to form the next government.  In the past Saxttikars most of the time did vote for the right candidates. Now the Saxttikars will have to be extra cautious to select the right candidates in the midst of most of the corrupt candidates contesting the next election from Salcette. 

Currently some of the candidates who merged with the ruling party BJP when they were not mandated by the voters to do the same have done great injustice and betrayal to the voters. These candidates should be voted out in the coming election along with the habitual defectors known corrupt.

A.Veronica Fernandes, Candolim

The power game has just begun. The wide array of parties in the fray are out to convince you in the manner they are doing, to vote for their candidates. However, every single voter has got to realise that his or her vote is potentially crucial given the large number of parties in the fray and thus the expectation that margins of victory will be very slim. So, every person has got the weigh the pros and cons and then only decisively decide to cast your votes, especially since the last time round your expectations may not have been fulfilled.

The candidate that gets the majority of votes is the one that will prevail and thus it is all that more important that you make judicious choice so that you will not have to repent for having cast your vote for some candidate that you thought you should not have voted for. 

Judge your candidates by the credibility that they have and who only in their heart of hearts have your interest in mind. It would be a good time to decide on some new candidate since your existing representative has not lived up to your expectations. Although you might think you are taking a gamble, it would be prudent to try out a new candidate who you think best fits into your scheme of things. Greenhorns and untested candidates may be more eager to fulfill your expectations this time than the same old candidates who have already got their chances. Either way, introspect deeply before you decide on your choice of candidate. 

A little of gamble may benefit you than just being in the same stupor of traditionalism.

Elvidio Miranda, Panjim

Falling false ceilings

There has yet been one more incident of a portion of a false ceiling made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) coming crushing down that took place at the new Dabolim airport terminal. Fortunately no one was injured in the incident. 

It is understood that this is the fourth such incident that has been reported in less than three years since the new Dabolim airport terminal building was inaugurated in April 2014. It may be recalled that just a month after the new building was inaugurated a section of the false ceiling near the check-in counter had collapsed. In the past people did suffer minor injuries due to such incidents which included a couple of passengers and a labourer who was working at the site. It must be said that incidents like these of false ceiling coming crushing down does not augur well for the state which is considered as a tourist destination. It is said that the first impression is always a lasting impression. Such incidents create a wrong impression of Goa for the visitors.  Several children also accompany the adults on the flight. Incidents like these, if not checked, could hurt someone very seriously. The authorities concerned need to take necessary precautionary measures to see that such incidents do not occur in future. One seldom comes across such dangers within the premises of an airport in other parts of the country.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

I agree with views expressed by Ana Marie Fernandes to ‘Clean our Mapusa’ in Citizen Herald dated January 9. 

Mapusa is blessed with two high-level politicians, the Defence Minister of India and the Dy. Chief Minister of Goa. However, in spite of these two luminaries representing and residing in Mapusa, it is turning out to be one of the filthiest towns in Goa due to no proper planning and adherence to rules by builders and shop owners. 

The shop owners were prohibited from encroaching on the footpaths / verandas of the market but now the verandas are filled with goods from the shops and hawkers which obstructs the free movement of shoppers. Animals roam freely in the market inspecting the items on display and depositing their dung in the verandas and so do the bikers who think that they have the right of way over the pedestrians. Builders have not left place for parking of vehicles which has resulted in haphazard parking. The new bus stand has still not materialised and the place meant for parking of vehicles on the KTC bus stand and near Alankar remain only a dream. 

With elections round the corner we can hope for more promises from the different political parties but can we expect any candidate who will sincerely work for the development of Mapusa?

Matias Lobo, Oman

Elections to the posts of the President and Vice President of India are going to be held in middle of the year 2017 but with a gap of some months. Presently talks are on for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and all state-assemblies. It will be better that a beginning may be made by starting a system of simultaneous elections for posts of President and Vice president which is easily and practically possible without requiring much changes.

 Legislation should be there in the forthcoming budget session of Parliament by giving a short extension of few months to President till tenure of Vice President ends. Constitution may be amended for Vice President to be elected simultaneously with President through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the manner the President is elected by all members of Parliament and state assemblies on nominations signed by at least 34 percent members of Parliament so as to ensure direct contests in these elections.

 In case of mid-term vacancy caused for the post of President, Vice President may be made President for rest of the term. But in case of mid-term vacancy caused for the post of Vice President, an interim Vice President may be elected by Parliamentarians only, but through EVMs on nominations signed by at least 34 percent Parliamentarians.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, Delhi

What is the purpose of increasing the cash withdrawal limit when almost none of the ATMs are working?  We have gone 20 years behind whereby we have to go to the bank, take a token and wait for the teller to give us our cash. We are at the mercy of the bankers, Finance Minister and Narendra Modi. 

This is not achche din but bahut buray din for India.

Jubel D’Cruz, 

Mumbai