Brazil broke my heart!
Fermino Fernandes, Candolim
The FIFA World Cup is one of the greatest event on earth. Football lovers look forward to this mega-event. Even when TV coverage was not available in Goa, we followed the World Cup by listening to the radio.
We got excited when we heard the names of football greats like Pele, Franz, Garrincha, Revelino, Tostao, Cryuff and others. The standard of modern football has reached great heights owing to better infrastructure, diet and scientific training. Most of those playing in the World Cup are from the best football clubs in the world.
I was looking forward to a great FIFA World Cup 2010. But I was disappointed, as I am a staunch supporter of Brazil. I am not sad because Brazil lost, but I am heartbroken because Brazil played a dirty game of pushing, pulling and even kicking their opponents. Not just Brazil, but most big football nations now play the dirty game, rather than the beautiful game. The only teams that played fair were the nations of Asia – the two Koreas and Japan. Cheers to Asian football.
Will the AIFF voice this concern to FIFA, and ask for strong reforms to weed out the virus of foul play? Anybody who consistently plays rough must be banned from the tournament.
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Animal NGO
Monica N Dias, President, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress
The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has opened an ‘Animal Shelter’ at Sonsodo to accommodate stray dogs, but unfortunately the premises are too small. A few days back, at the request of my Fatorda neighbours, I wanted to shift a stray dog from my neighborhood to the Animal Shelter, but the response was negative, owing to “lack of space” and absence of drivers”.
A private NGO, ‘Goa Animal Welfare Trust’, situated at Cacora, Curchorem came to our rescue and immediately shifted the stray dog. It is heartening to note that Gracy Borges, Grace Kare and Dr Dessai are doing a wonderful job. I thank this NGO on behalf of all my neighbours. I appeal to all philanthropists to help such NGOs rise to greater heights.
Man’s best friend
Robert Castellino, Calangute
Efforts of civic bodies and NGOs have had little or no effect in curbing the population of stray dogs, which is increasing exponentially. I believe that the problem can only be solved with ‘love’. There are more than enough people who really love and care for dogs. Each such person should be allowed to adopt a stray, paying a very nominal license fee (say Rs10 per year). The adopted dog must have a collar with the name of the owner.
The owner will not have to house the dog, but will be responsible for its needs like food, cleanliness, health, vaccinations and, most important, sterilisation. Vaccination and sterilisation papers must be produced to renew the license. Civic bodies and NGOs must assist individuals who adopt dogs.
Traitors
Abhijeet Naik, Mapusa
A handful of Shiv Sena traitors entered the Mapusa Municipality on Thursday 8 July and demanded that Mapusa Municipality board be displayed in Marathi. What about Konkani? Shiv Sena leader Upendra is an anti-Goan. He should please pack his bags and go to Maharashtra, where he can promote Marathi, along with his 20 to 30 supporters, disgruntled BJP elements all.
It looks like the useless BJP Mapusa MLA Francis is sleeping. Upendra, think clearly. Why are you betraying your own mother tongue? You are worse than the Portuguese. Stop this madness Upendra. A true Goan is asking another who has lost his path.
What is ‘offshore’?
Jeremy D’Silva, by email
I am amazed at the recent decision of the High Court, to request offshore casino operators to offer suggestions to the Captain of Ports about where they should ply their trade. Obviously, they will want to be as close to shore as possible, preferably moored to a jetty!
These vessels were given a licence to operate live gaming “offshore”. Internationally, it means outside port limits. Rivers are “inshore” waterways. By no stretch of imagination can they be construed as “offshore”. In fact, the present place the floating casinos are anchored is in the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Inland Waterways. How can an ‘inland waterway’ ever be considered ‘offshore’?
The government should stop this charade. The River Mandovi is not big enough for these vessels to operate. Either put them out to sea – as was the original intention – or let them move their equipment and machines onshore, into five star hotels.
Look within
Arwin Mesquita, Abu Dhabi
We blame politicians. But with all due respect, let us first look within: Who voted for corrupt MLAs? Don’t we ourselves pay bribes and use unethical methods; surely this can be avoided? How many of us ask illegal favours from corrupt MLA’s and then become their slaves for life? How many of us glorify corrupt politicians at public events, even though we know that they are the biggest destroyers of Goa?
We pray, fast, try to be good Catholics, teach our children right from wrong, etc. And then we do the opposite and set bad examples. But tomorrow can be a new beginning. If we can change ourselves, everything else will follow. The choice is with each one of us!
Red card!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Apropos the Atala-Lucky Farmhouse case, the Police spokesman reportedly said: “We have ruled out getting help from Interpol. We have initiated ‘letter awaitery’ (What is that?) to record the model’s statement. The file will be moved to the Union Home Ministry, who in turn will send it to the Ministry of External Affairs, which will later contact the Embassies.”
He admits it to be a procedure that will take months and adds: “Now the ball is in her court!” Really? Whose duty is it to investigate this drugs case; the police or a Swedish model? Why should Lucky Farmhouse have any interest in busting the drugs nexus in Goa? If this is how the police play ball, the public must find a referee who will show them the red card!
The ISI’s master
Paul Rodricks, Caranzalem
In the news report, ‘UN turns down Pakistan appeal on Bhutto probe’ (Herald, 10 July), the Inquiry Commission (2009) clearly implicates the ISI. The ISI has a hand in the Islamic militant insurgency in Kashmir and elsewhere in India, which it seeks to destabilise.
Despite all the international pressure, why makes the ISI so impervious? What is its underlying source of strength? The answer lies in its complicit partnership with the CIA – the covert managers of US foreign policy.
America’s CIA has clandestinely funded and controlled the ISI’s covert activities, either directly or through proxy organizations. The now defunct drugs-money laundering Pakistani BCCI bank is one such example. The world knows about the CIA-ISI’s role in creating the Taliban, Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda.
