Check technical committee
Rolf Fernandes, Margao
This has reference to the news item ‘Princess Saga continues’ regarding bidders for removal of River Princess by the Goa State Disaster Management Committee (GSDMC) members. Their competence needs to be checked with regard to technicality in shortlisting four bidders from among the seven. Some of the members did not even understand the bidders’ power point presentations. Except for two Captains in the naval area, others were not fit to be part of the Committee. I understand some experts from NIO were sidelined from this Technical Committee. Who selected these members of GSDMC to evaluate the technical bid? Everything is shrouded in secrecy. The report presented by the Committee should be made null and void. The public is eager to know the qualifications and experience of the members of the Committee (GSDMC), so that the decision taken by them is acceptable to the people of Goa or else, it would appear that the selection is done for their own selfish interest.
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New council faces
Savio Pinto, Nagoa
Now the real task begins. The people will be watching the new councilors. This is their chance to bring discipline and stability to the great Goan municipality. They must undo what past councillors have achieved through crooked means. Have they thought about the responsibilities that lie ahead? People expect them to perform honestly and with dedication. Or will they continue to make deals at the cost of genuine development?
Money wins elections
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
The official cap for poll-related expenditure was a modest Rs 30,000/-. But then, the serious candidates contesting for the polls seem to have spent lakhs of rupees with much of the money spent in distributing goodies to the voters in exchange for their votes. It should be mandatory for civic polls candidates to disclose their assets before the elections and file their electionexpenditure as is being done for the Assembly elections. Money and muscle power play an important role in elections in the country making sure deserving candidates are seldom elected. This requires concerted efforts from the electorate. They must not accept goodies during elections. The authorities must keep strict vigil on election expenditure incurred by each candidate. But then, this is much easier said than done.
Suicide prevention
Merlyn Fernandes, Clinical Psychologist, Sao Jose de Areal
This has reference to your news item ‘Rise in deaths due to Ratol intake, a cause for worry’ (Herald, 5 Nov). Ratol has become the most popular method for suicide, thanks to the much publicized Nadia Torrado case. Five cases, three deaths in the last eight days is a wakeup call to the Government. It is time to explore public health approaches to suicide prevention. Firstly, to avoid intentional and unintentional poisoning the government must impose a total ban on the sale of Ratol. Secondly, there is a need for effective suicide prevention programs at schools, colleges and community level. Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that suicide prevention is everybody’s business.
That’s Manmohanomics
Ramnath Kumar, New Delhi
The article by Anthony Simoes ‘That’s Manmohanomics’ (Herald, 9 Nov) was brilliant. He has torn apart the myth that Manmohan is clean. Hope this opens the eyes of millions of my countrymen and encourages them to stand up to the Government and fight against the menace of the politicians.
A tear-filled liberation
Dr Francisco Colaço, Margao
When there is so much to gloss over, 50 years after Goa’s Liberation, why do we have to further compound our miseries? We learn with concern that Konkani and Marathi will be used on signage, police statements and government notices. First of all, there was no need to press this divisive resolution in a tearing hurry. It appears that Konkani votaries of Devnagiri are working to the detriment of large sections of Goans. They also seem to have capitulated before the Marathi lobby. Naguesh Karmali and Flaviano Dias are co-authoring a book on ‘Goa’s freedom struggle’ at Government’s cost. These same stalwarts were instrumental in preparing Parrikar’s infamous VCD. A large section of Goans are going to be further alienated. Let Liberation usher in only liberation of hearts and minds from servitude and bondage.
Biblical misconceptions
John A Fernandes, Margao
I need to clear some misconceptions about the letter ‘Biblical truths’ by Bernard Simoes (Herald, 10 Nov). Some early scientists disagreed with Galileo, but they did not imprison him. Galileo was forced to recant his views by the Church Inquisition and kept under house-arrest for the rest of his life. It was only about 400 years later, in 1992 that John Paul II formally admitted the church’s errors. Corporal punishment was upheld quoting ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ (Prov.13.24). 3) Superiority of men over women is endorsed quoting numerous texts (I Corinth,11,14; Ephesians,5, etc.) 4) The theory of evolution has been verified over and over again and advanced by modern scientists. The Bible should be quoted judiciously. We should also use our reasoning powers given to us by God.
Fake freedom fighters
Joanita Almeida, Assolna
The Portuguese came to Goa and gave us a good civilization. We owe a lot to the Portuguese. There are even good bridges built by them. Thousands of people have Portuguese names in Goa and they are prosperous. They support the State’s economy. Many sons of freedom fighters are in possession of Portuguese passports and they work abroad. Our freedom fighters should check the list of those people. Some Freedom Fighters even though they fought for freedom have no right to change historical names of roads. Some of them never really worked for freedom, but they are parading as freedom fighters and enjoying pension at our cost. The old names should not be changed.
Stop the plunder of Goa
Rozario Menezes, Vasco da Gama
The PWD Minister of Goa is reported to have gone on record saying that the widening of NH17 is important for the people of Goa, and that the project affected owners must just lump it. The truth is the widening is more important to some vested interests outside the state, who are more concerned about their own financial development than the development of Goa. Rather than promoting the genuine need based development for Goans, it would add to the ravaging of Goan resources that is going on at breakneck speed. Some 40-odd illegal structures on public land have stalled the MPT-centric 17A highway. The government has abandoned the completion of that highway from Baina to Sada, but legal house owners/land owners elsewhere are expected to suffer the havoc of acquisition in silence. Before launching grandiose new road projects, government must ensure the proper construction and maintenance of existing vital roads. People must open their minds and eyes to the systematic plunder and ravaging of Goa’s precious land and heritage resources by short sighted persons in power.
Babush’s narrow mindset
Michael Vaz, Merces
It was amusing to hear the views of the latter, who is also the Education Minister, that the IT habitat would be allowed only if it benefits the people of Taleigao and further, the IT venture should be under the purview of the said panchayat. Is that the objective of putting up an IT hub? Are such projects set up to ensure that the panchayat earns revenue? Or to view through a wider spectrum the creation of wide employment potential across all sections of Goa to improve the people’s lot? It is unfortunate that as a minister he makes such reckless statements. Let us desist from such petty politics of exclusiveness. The need is to think in the overall interest of the state.
Karmali v/s Portugal
Jerry Fernandes, Vanxim
I fully agree with Marcos Alemao in his letter ‘Karmali’s debt to Portugal’(Herald, 8 Nov). I admired Naguesh Karmali when he was an announcer at All India Radio, Panaji. His views, his talks and his ideals were praiseworthy and inspiring at that time. Why has this man Karmali suddenly changed? Is there no other constructive work for him? Like Marcos had elaborated there are so many issues begging attention of the concerned citizens from corruption to water shortage, why is Karmali only chasing after Portuguese names? If Karmali and other like-minded freedom fighters fight for serious issues facing Goa today it would have been worth while. Karmali, please be constructive and not destructive as the Portuguese regime has done many good things for Goa too.
