MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
Molly Fernandes
At the moment, North or South, East or West, has had their share. A lot has been shared on social media and on the pride of Goa ‘oHeraldo’. Yes, the smelling of rat, at Mangor Hill tragedy – the in equipped doctor! A common comment being passed umpteen times: those who entered the State brought or imported the novel corona virus; had been tested positive but we don’t hear of any deaths! Amazing! The doctors, nurses and working staff has been issued notices and warned with dire consequences not to lick out the facts….
Yes. It seems! It’s no longer: government of the people, by the people and for the people. But rather reframed as: government of the government, by the government and for the government.
We have read a lot for the last eighty days about lockdown, lessons learnt from lockdown and each day novelties surging! But what are its end results? The law abiding Goans have had successful lockdown history though some have violated the norms only to fill the coffers of the respective departments!
Today the situation in Goa is very grim yet we hear the Chief Minister say, do not panic! All is in control! At the same time a handful of elected representatives request lockdown of the respective zones and borders. During these last eighty days we have had the issues of seafarers, migrants, mining trucks, and on the first imported corona virus infection a bounty of relief fund from the PM. Also the dilemma to embark the ship… a whooping Rs 6 crore at the cost of seafarers loss of jobs!
The song by Sonu Nigam brings tears to the eyes - the painful saga of the migrants. Unending. Sunday’s pitiful state of the migrants who were brought by buses and left near to the Kadamba bus stand instead of the railway station is yet another stab in the back, a betrayal. The ladies with babies…where would they go when the shelters were closed and the security at the station and police at the shelters drove them though there is denial of this fact! Demoralizing, whatever it is! The fact remains that there are still migrants awaiting to go their homeland and the need of getting the Sharamik special trains back on the tracks and the shelters opened.
Few days back Rs 7 crore has been spent on Maggie and kitkats! While the migrants go hungry!, although the migrants at the station and on the road sides are struggling to fend for themselves. Are the authorities busy distributing Maggies, kitkats…? And to whom?
An appeal to the Government to get back the Sharamik trains back on tracks and to open the shelters.
This situation is one of extreme uncertainty. The State unlocks amid spike in cases! Yes, the Government withdraws lockdown but why still the imposition of Section 144? Let’s not forget you are only a number to the Government but you are the Whole World to your family. For in the last week three ships have left the Mormugao Port to China with Mining Ore whereas the people of the place have been pleading for lockdown of the City!
