The FAR-ce
Agnelo P Furtado, Chinchinim
Most villages in Goa have opted for VP3 status to retain their unique identity and prevent high rise structures and mega projects. The VP3 village status has altogether vanished in the demystification of rationalisation. Both VP3 and VP2 were having a height restriction of 7 metres (Ground+1). Now the height restriction on VP2 has been relaxed to 9 metres which allows Ground+2 structures.
This removes the vent plug on the mega project cauldron and, in a cunning turnaround, introduces it through the back burner.
What a slap on the intelligence of “Aam Aadmi” and demolition of grass root democracy? An unseen mega fish has been baited, only visible to those who made the changes. It’s a 1G (ground) spectrum. The building lobby will now be laughing all the way to the bank.
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Diverting attention
Sidonio Mendes, Chandor
The turmoil of Regional plan in Goa’s western parts, is a creation of politicians, only to divert our attention from the devastation of Goa’s ecology, by rampant mining activity in its eastern sector. The other day, I was witness to a meeting, which had already commenced, on the RP 2021.
Confusing queries and ridiculous answers followed an explosive clap. It was obvious that it was a stage-managed show. Considering the approach adopted nowadays, one is reminded of dignitaries and political leaders of the likes of Bahusaheb Bandodkar and the Dr Jack Sequeira era. They were neither rustic nor egoistic. They led us with dignity and prudence.
Ghastly collision
Michael Vaz, Merces
Nine relatives of a family apart from the drivers of the ill-fated Chevrolet Tavera car and the incoming luxury bus perished near Khed, Ratnagiri, in a ghastly collision on the Goa-Mumbai section of the NH 17.
Such accidents periodically remind us of appalling loss of lives due to ill-designed highways.
Let this be a wake up call to all those who are against highway expansion and are highly conservative of the width of such roadways.
Self centred ‘tiatrists’
George Almeida, Vasco
We all know that ‘tiatr’ is a source of entertainment for most Goans. Many tiatrists make it big with successive ‘tiatrs.’ Apart from being a lucrative side business, they earn thousands of rupees, in the process. However, a lot of hard work is put in, to achieve that goal. Amazingly, during the season of Lent, most of them stop the shows, while some carry on. Many shows depict the life of Jesus Christ, during Lent.
Sadly, many ‘tiatrists’, enact the life of Christ only during Lent and not at any other time of the year. I request all ‘tiatrists’ and priests to work towards spreading the gospel of Christ throughout the year.
Liberation and desertion
Martinho J Fernandes, Goa Velha
It is a historical fact that the Portuguese liberated Goans twice. Goa was a paradise on earth, before the Indian army occupied it, but people across the border were starving and dying of hunger.
Mahatma Gandhi had once remarked, “first give our people enough to eat and then talk about Goa’s freedom.“
I give due credit to the wisdom of the British government for splitting India into Bharat and Pakistan, otherwise the fanatics would have created havoc all over India. Had not the Portuguese and British united Goa and India, the pseudo freedom fighters would have been under the thumb of Muslim rulers.
Save it for posterity
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Today, our elected Goan politicians are seen destroying Goa and yet, we do absolutely nothing but silently watch the ‘tamasha.’ We believe in making fast money, constructing huge bungalows, living a luxurious life, eating, drinking and merry-making, but are not concerned of the future well-being of Goa We just cannot unite and fight issues like garbage, casinos, drugs, prostitution, illegal mega projects, national highways, SEZs, etc. What a shame! Goans are, indeed, a strange lot.
It is now time to immediately stop saying that famous outdated sentence ‘Mhaka Kiteak Poddlam’, because Goa is fast getting ‘kabaar’ (finished) and that too, right in front of our eyes. So, please for God’s sake, wake up, unite and save our unique identity for posterity.
Generating goodwill
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
While there are calls from party bosses of various political parties for their members to show austerity, the ground reality is far from the truth. Birthdays have become an occasion to score brownie points over their political rivals. It has become more a matter of one-upmanship and showmanship. Politicians use the occasion to show the mass support they enjoy, and also to do some muscle-flexing.
At times, a birthday-bash becomes a platform to verbally ‘bash’ the political rival and announce future political plans. Such birthday parties have grown in stature and are lavish by nature. Our politicians should be inclined to serve the common man by celebrating their birthdays lavishly, in the midst of the poor. This will generate a lot of goodwill and blessings from the masses.
Mary and the Bible
Cyril P D’Souza, Calangute
Theletter by George Almeida entitled ‘Tenets and Traditions’ (Herald, 7 Dec ) is full of half-truths and shows total ignorance on the part of the writer. Sadly, he has proved that he is lacks knowledge of the Bible by saying that Mary didn’t forgive the apostles, Peter and Judas, when God himself once again chose Mary to be with and around all the apostles, like a true mother, when he sent the Holy Spirit upon them all .
Nowhere in the Bible, is it said that Mary didn’t forgive the apostles. She suffered silently at the foot of the cross and forgave Christs’ executioners and once again, said yes to the will of God, when Christ asked her to be our mother, represented by the apostle John.
Migrant menace
Vincent E Do Rego, Dubai
What Union Home Minister has said, is right. In Goa too, migrants are responsible for the spate of robberies, and murders. This lot has been throwing away trash in every nook and corner, and spits ‘paan,’ which is customary of their lifestyle, pan India. This represents dirty mannerisms, whereas we Goans, live in a peaceful and civilised society.
Dirty politics has contributed in an inane manner to our beautiful Goa that has resulted in slums everywhere. A blanket ban should be imposed on commercial buildings and so called mega projects. Why do we Goans need these kinds of projects? In any case, it doesn’t benefit Goans, as they cannot afford to buy such dwellings.
Why act on complaints?
Jose Maria Miranda, Margao
Every time someone is booked for some illegality, it is generally based on a lodged complaint. In fact, municipalities and panchayats also follow the same procedure against illegal constructions/extensions. Sometime back, fruit vendors were caught ripening fruits through artificial means.
Most municipal employees and in particular, market inspectors, are a classic example of people looking the other way, when irregularities take place. One wonders whether our bureaucrats and other government servants are only there to receive their salaries and warm up their seats. Goa government cannot afford this luxury, considering that it has such a huge employee workforce.
The escape route
S N D Poojary, Miramar
The ruling party boasts of zero tolerance towards corruption. An FIR was lodged by the CBI in 2009, against some unknown entities. The investigation got a momentum not because of the lofty ideals of some political party, but because of the stick that CBI got, from the Supreme Court. It was on a complaint of Dr Subramanian Swamy that the CBI was forced to order a full scale investigation. These high voltage investigations are basically for public consumption and when the findings are tested in courts, they fall flat. The loopholes thus created serve as an escape route for the powerful.
