letters to the editor

Helmet rule

This is in response to an article penned by Vincy Soares in today's edition of your newspaper. Accidents in Goa are caused by a multitude of factors, but the core reason is the complete lack of adherence to/awareness of traffic rules and total absence of respect towards fellow road users. Although our rule enforcers (police, RTO and government) are also to be blamed for the alarming rate of automobile accidents in Goa, are we the Goan public, not equally responsible for our safety?

Over the last few weeks the noise being made about the new helmet rule and its stringent enforcement has left me baffled. What exactly is so bad about wearing a helmet anyway? Helmets are easy to wear, store and carry. I have been wearing one for the last 10 years and am uncomfortable traveling without it, even if it is just down the road. Head injuries sustained from two-wheeler accidents can be very grave, even fatal. If wearing a helmet has even a 1 in 100 chance of preventing a fatality, isn't it the logical thing to do?

Also, the argument about relaxing the rule on inner roads is downright absurd. Who can forsee an accident? Whether on a crowded highway or a deserted lane, accidents are unpredictable, which makes it that much more important to enforce the rule all times. And yes, "inner roads" see their own share of mishaps due to rampant speeding on such vacant streets; in fact, these accidents are often more gruesome than those that take place on more heavily populated streets. 

If the older generation stopped their bellyaching and instead encouraged their younger counterparts to sport helmets by setting an example through themselves, we could create a culture where helmet wearing would be the norm and not the exception. I appeal to all Goans to stop making a hue and cry about a non-existent government conspiracy to loot public money and rationally consider the benefits of wearing the accursed  helmet in the interest of their own safety.

Anjali Noronha, Colva

Sao Joao with 

a difference 

Amidst Sao Joao festivities in all the parishes, Salvador do Mundo parish too woke up to the sound of Sao Joao, but on a different note: Celebrating love in unity. Said the parish priest Fr John Fernandes: We must work with love in unity that the  works of the Holy Trinity reflect in us in our day to day life. Let Sao Joao festival be for us an opportunity to work with unanimity of mind to hold this village together irrespective of who we are.

Apart from the traditional jumping in the wells, there were several games for all ages for the parishioners and generous serving of seasonal fruits for the gathering, coupled with attractive prizes, all contributed by the parishioners. It proves that sans presence of the politicians, we can stand erect on our own with dignity and self respect. In fact, one parishioner added with a humour: This celebration is of the people, by the people and for the people. 

Dev borem korum, Pdr. Vigar John for bringing a new concept into the village celebration. May this concept reach far and wide across all Goa that in love and unity we are the people who stand together.

Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo

Cultivate Church 

land

Kudos to the assistant parish priest of Majorda church Fr Mario Souza who reportedly re-invented agriculture for the parishioners and the youth by getting them together to cultivate half an acre of church field that was lying fallow all these years (Herald June 26). 

A number of parishioners along with youth transplanted rice in the field which was tilled by a power tiller donated by a parishioner while the material required by transplanting was provided free of cost by the villagers. This probably is the first such move initiated by the church in Goa. It is pertinent to note that Goans by and large, specially, the youth, are shying away from cultivating the fields they possess, as most of them either seek white-collard jobs or have migrated to foreign soil seeking employment. Most of the fields in the state remain uncultivated as a result of this. Hence the initiative taken by Fr Souza needs to be lauded. Besides giving a harvest, such a move will also unite the people of the village as they will be able to see the fruits of their labour since the harvest once reaped would be sold and the money received would be distributed amongst those who worked for the project. 

Such a move will also instill a sense of pride among the youth to cultivate the fields possessed by their ancestors. Other parishes in the state need to follow in the footsteps of the Majorda parish and put to good use any agricultural land which could be in their possession by cultivating it with the help of the parishioners and the villagers.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Dealing with beggars

Begging is a complex social problem with no quick fix. The way we come across various reports on begging brings out the fact that shows that beggars are so used to begging that they actually prefer not to work. 

There are Paisewaale beggars which shows that many of them make more money from begging that what they would if they did work. In my opinion the beggars are on the streets because society has failed them. Our social and political systems have broken down and cannot therefore look after them. If you ask me should we give alms, my honest opinion will be a big “NO”.  

I have personally found that most of the beggars are not disabled. Most of them are able-bodied. They can earn money by doing some sort of work. But they beg because they are lazy. They think that begging is the easiest way of living. Such situation has been arisen due to various factors prevailing in our society. Poverty, parental death and illness, loss of parental love and affection and loss of love and affection of their children are some of them. Can’t we think where do the beggars go if no one gives alms? Will they go hungry and die in mass? Absolutely “No”. I opine that the first step towards preventing begging is to stop giving alms. One must remember that it is perfectly normal protocol to ignore beggars in a given situation, but don’t lecture them on how they should live their life or spend their money.

Vinod C. Dixit, Ahmedabad

True friendship

US President Donald Trump has described the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘True friend’. A true friend is a person who helps in times of need.  There is a saying, ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.  A true friend does not help his adversaries in times of need.  

Another quality of a true friend is that he should first help his own people at home before going out and visiting the rich and mighty all over the world.

Matias Lobo, Oman