Medical responsibility
Apropos the one month old baby boy in GMC who is facing the risk of losing his arm. The Committee appointed by the Dean may eventually establish the cause of the problem, fix responsibility for the lapse, and recommend appropriate punishment for the guilty. But, that will not help the baby. GMC should, at its own expense, arrange to get the best medical attention for the baby from India and abroad, if that has not already happened. The Election Code of Conduct does not prohibit normal functioning of the Government. Attempts by the Health Minister or the Health Department or GMC to take cover under the Code of Conduct and delay action in the matter should be resisted by all Goans.
Aravind P. Bhatikar, Caranzalem
Vote wisely
The Congress High command at Delhi has always treated Goa as their colony and decides our actions for us. Now, with the declaration of candidates which include members from five families with a criminal history, they have openly challenged Goans. The Congress it seems, thinks that Goans are fools who think money is everything at every time. But haven’t the Goans had enough of the corrupt Congress rule in the past? It is time for us of the kind of Government that will be formed if even one member from any of these families is elected.
The election authority of Goa is doing its best to enforce the rule of law, but given the past record they may not be able to stop these politicians from buying votes with their illegal wealth. These families will gift many goodies and show their muscle power to intimidate Goans to vote for them. But our love for next generation and desire to safeguard Goa should be top priority of every Goan votes. Be wise and take whatever the criminals distribute to vote for, them but eventually show the world that Goa is not a paradise where fools live, by electing candidates who don’t buy votes through false promises and looted wealth.
Julius Carvalho, Dubai-UAE
Advance reservation
The railway ministry’s proposal to extend the time limit of advance reservation from 90 days to 120 days is not in the interest of the travelling public. It is very difficult to plan a journey accurately four months in advance. But travellers, not wishing to risk not getting tickets, will rush to book tickets, not having much to lose as cancellation charges are negligible. This will result in a huge inflow of revenue to the Railways during the current fiscal year. Lalu Prasad Yadav had adopted the same measures some years ago to meet the targeted revenue. However, this move will only increase travellers’ woes, since the majority of those booking tickets four months in advance may cancel their tickets in time putting travellers in a quandary. Anxious to secure confirmed tickets they will resort to questionable means and touts will take advantage of this situation. The cancellation charges should be increased effective one week prior to commencement of journey, not the reservation period.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Award function
I recently attended a business award function. Awards were supposed to be presented to most deserving Goan entrepreneurs. I was surprised by the award presented in the fitness & wellness category. It made me wonder whether the award was presented on the basis of a person’s status in society or the number of advertisement provided for the magazine. There are may more better deserving persons in the fitness industry in Goa who are much more enterprising and who have really changed the fitness scene in Goa. A few days before the event, the organiser in an interview had stated that the awards would be given to the most deserving individuals who have made a difference and become entrepreneurs through sheer mettle and hard work. I hope such fixed awards functions won’t be a dampener to really deserving, hardworking Goan entrepreneurs. I am aghast that the organisers in the e first place announce the awards with pomp. The best thing to do would be to have a private function to bestow the awards for those who are the rich, influential and have a status in Goa.
Newton Azavedo, Porvorim
Protect women
In recent times, atrocities on minor children and women have increased tremendously. Almost everyday, we read in local newspapers about crimes committed against them. Rapes, molestation or robbery at various locations in isolated or even public places are quite common. Such incidents reveal the deteriorating law and order situation in our State. It is therefore absolutely necessary that this situation be rectified urgently. Unless harsh punishment is meted to the accused, no favourable results can be achieved. Exhibiting silence in such sensitive issues cannot serve any purpose. It is high time women’s organizations come together and chalk out ways and means to curb the rising atrocities on innocent girls and women. The female gender demands protection at all costs.
Pravin U. Sardessai, Adpai
Beach sunbeds
As a British tourist I am amazed at the trouble the shack owners are going through in dealing with the sunbed fiasco. The thousands of tourists who visit the beach shacks in Candolim find it difficult to get sun beds and the helpless, unfortunate poor shack owners are allowed only ten beds per shack – which is ridiculous. They work very long hours for very little money and as a frequent visitor to Candolim, I wonder why the people at the top are imposing these unfair rules. Are they trying to put us off from coming to Goa, because if they are, they are doing a very good job.
Tony Charlton
