PM’s credibility gets eroded
V R Vasudevan, by email
Anthony Simoes deserves to be congratulated for “That’s Manmohanomics” (Herald, 9 Nov). The super clean politician image of Dr Manmohan Singh appears to be tearing apart. The author has nicely brought out the huge damage caused by Enron and the key players and as to how Dr Singh “placed the foxes in charge of the chicken soup”.
The CWG scams and spectrum Raja’s scam have tarnished the image of our Prime Minister. Small mistakes are not small if committed by people at the echelons of power. For mistakes committed by leaders, the punishments receivable are in four fold. That is why pronouncements by the SC (as in Raja’s case) on Dr Singh’s stoic silence, needs to be treated as a stricture.
Dr Singh should act according to his conscience and not by compulsion of its coalition politics to hang on to power. The way he took help of Messrs Mulayam and Amar Singh does not bode well for Dr Singh.
Now that the corruption scam involving Raja has been exposed, the jitters of coalition politics will be conspicuously felt.
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Oppose highway alignment
Ashok Dias, Porvorim
I hope my view on highway development will drive all Goans to a revolution of sorts. The government has wrecked the state by bringing the ambitious project of NH17 and NH4-A alignment.
False promises are in store on the passes to be issued. How could a private enterprise be so generous? Build Own Operate and Transfer is meant to collect toll for the infrastructure project. They never incur losses.
Usage of the lifeline road (major district road) is a fundamental right which is available to allow free movement to all citizens. The threat of additional burden of the toll fee road looms large.
That such a decision is forthcoming defies belief. It is ridiculous that the state cannot afford additional major bridges as we have the highest per capita income in India. Rich industries like mining have done Goa’s development no good.
Lastly, as an affected resident on NH-17, no amount of compensation will replace roots developed in a location after decades of stay. Menial jobs will take considerable fuel and time due to the distance involved.
Right thinking Goans should come out on to the streets and vehemently oppose the present alignment. Instead, the highway should run through the hinterland. The current alignment will destroy family fabric by making us recluses in our own Sobit Goem.
Answer the call
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
With reference to the editorial ‘Resignation of a Raja’ (Herald, 16 Nov), while Raja has denied any wrong doing in the 2G spectrum allocation controversy, there are many questions that remains unanswered. He may be true in his own sense, but serious questions relating to the procedural irregularities and revenue losses cannot be ignored. Besides JPC, other government agencies like CBI, CVC and the Registrar of Companies must be allowed to probe the matter fairly. As Communications and IT are vital tools of empowerment and growth. The PM needs to ensure that such an important ministry is not handed back to the DMK. Let us hope the DMK does not use indirect influence over the Congress to manipulate investigation.
Orthodox thoughts
Sidonio Mendes, Chandor
Two letters (Herald, 11 Nov) from Dr Francisco Colaco on the intended Devnagari signage in Goa and the other by Joanita Almeida, telling facts of fake freedom fighters caught my attention. My belief stemmed from the fact that prominent proponents of the Konkani movement was not for its development, but to kill the Roman script. These were used in publications like Vavraddeancho Ixtt, Novem Goem, etc. I wonder how Chandor will now sound in Devnagiri. Maybe this sinister design is to wipe out names like Margao, Mormugao etc.
Our centuries old attachment to the Roman alphabet had Goans in sync to the modern world much earlier. It is surprising then that it itches some Goans to play dirty tricks on us with their orthodox thoughts. Could it be that their blood is saffron coloured?
Exploiting the underbelly
Nazar da Silva, Moira
Two lessons may be learnt from the ‘village by village’ Regional Plan (RP) awareness programme conducted by Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) in Moira last Saturday. First is the importance of collaboration with local bodies and neighbours. The meeting had the support of the Moira Club and its Communidade, the civic and consumer forum and participants from Nachinola and Aldona. Local panchayat was conspicuously absent.
Secondly, panchayats collude with the MLAs and bureaucracy. Their combined vested interests are against devolvement of power to the people. This is crucial. Panchayats have a soft underbelly that we need to exploit.
There are just 24 fortnightly meetings each year. Gram Sabha members must keep in mind ecological aspects such as water bodies, hill-cutting, forest cover and access roads at meetings. RTI has to be made use of. Volunteers attending meetings can obtain vital data relevant to the RP. Share your findings with all concerned, including the GBA. May people’s power prevail.
Sagres saga
Rogerio Fernandes, by email
I am totally shocked as to why some political parties and freedom fighters were making a big fuss about the docking of the Portuguese ship NRP Sagres 3. If these concerned people are so patriotic, and care about a change in society and the system, then why do they not protest against the caste system, ‘sati’, and the various ills plaguing the country. Voicing protest for a just cause would be very welcome instead of a cheap publicity stunt.
Improve airport conditions
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Of late, there have been several occasions when flights from the Dabolim airport have been delayed because of avoidable conditions on the ground. Recently, there was an accident wherein a vehicle carrying cargo collided with the wing of a stationary airplane. A tanker carrying aviation fuel recently overturned leading to highly combustible fuel being spilt on the runway. It was several hours before the runway was cleaned and made operational. International flights had to be cancelled, as a result.
All these avoidable incidents do not augur well for the state when the tourist season has just commenced with chartered flights carrying tourists descending into Goa. It seems necessary for the authorities to improve the operational aspect at the airport to avoid such man-made accidents.
Commend and condemn
Mike Carvalho, Canada
Congratulations to the people of Khariwaddo, Vasco and Vascoites for arranging a warm send off to the visiting Portuguese ship NRP Sagres. If India truly believes in its progress, the action of insulting Portuguese who were on a goodwill visit, by the Goa Government/political parties/freedom fighters must be questioned by the authorities in Delhi. In a democracy there are also limits. The boycott by elected representatives and serving government officials were uncivil and must be condemned. The gesture of the people of Khariwaddo Vasco and the Vascoites is commendable.
Be fair to civilians
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
The article ‘Getting what we rightly deserve’ by Dr Joe D’Souza (Herald, 16 Nov) is clear and self explanatory. It explains the cancer of corruption and exploitation which eats into the fabric of Indian society.
The defence forces have an organisational support to help them extract and acquire maximal benefits for those in service and retired personnel. Army men get a lot of financiall benefits be it through “Flag day” and other contributions in the name of service and sacrifice.
Laymen also sacrifice and work hard towards the development of our country. The civilian contribution to the country goes unrecognised. Civilians also lose their lives during experimental and research projects or during expeditions. Only the army deaths are rewarded and acclaimed. Government should rethink of treating civilian casualities on par with that of the army.
