Std X: Some clarity please!
Maria D’Souza, St Inez
In his letter ‘Wrong is Right’ (Herald, 12 August), student Mario Fernandes definitely has a point. With the introduction of the grading system and continuous internal assessment in Std X, the authorities need to ensure that the guidelines and rules are observed.
This year, many schools had two unit tests a day followed by regular classes for Std X. Others encouraged their students to do well by holding only one unit test per day, with no classes.
We are already three months into the school year, but many schools have not bothered to call a meeting with Std X parents to enlighten them about the new grading system. The SSC syllabus remains ‘Top Secret’, available only to Board employees and school heads.
Parents and students would also benefit from knowing the portion. Could the Education Department or the Goa Board or whoever is in charge, chalk out rules to ensure that corrections and assessments are done fairly and uniformly, with no prejudice or partiality whatsoever?
Parents, please wake up and demand your rights for yourselves and your children. By our silence, we are permitting our children’s futures to depend on the whims of our leaders…
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Parrikar, clever?
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Mirror, Mirror in the Hall, is Manohar Parrikar the cleverest of them all? Or has he been simply hyped as the cleverest ‘Mr Clean’ by the local media? I find his speeches boring. If he has managed to grab the limelight, it is not because he is clever (as Pratapsingh Rane says) but because most ruling party MLAs have no guts to challenge him.
If they are so scared of Parrikar, it is time they retire and make way for others. I salute Vishwajeet Rane and Babu Azgaonkar for putting up a brave fight against the so-called ‘Mr Clever’, and proving that they too are just as clever.
Mr Know-it-all
Col Cyril P D’Souza (Retd), Calangute
Plenty of letters have praised the ‘clever’ Manohar Parrikar. No doubt he is quick-witted and speaks for almost everybody and on everything in the Assembly. But he is just a ‘Mr Know-it-all ‘ who loves the sound of his own voice.
But where was his voice when goons went about smashing nameplates, azulejos and other ‘Portuguese’ insignia in Fontainhas during his tenure as CM? Where was his voice when some of today’s ministers, then in his cabinet, were no less corrupt? Where was his voice when a systematic pogrom was carried out against Muslims in Gujarat? Mr Parrikar did not utter a word – he was too busy imposing the first IFFI on the people of Goa!
Praise & criticism
Camilo D’Souza, Ponda
Pratapsingh Rane is an old and experienced politician. Manohar Parrikar is not as senior, but much sharper. We never expected Mr Rane to revel in triumph after winning the no-confidence motion, in which he was advising, praising and criticising Mr Parrikar to give his other party members a chance to speak. Mr Rane will have to rely on his experience and get ready to face even tougher questions in the sessions ahead.
Forward to CBI
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
It is praiseworthy to note that Roy Naik himself had stated during his press conference that he is innocent in this case. If he has no involvement whatsoever, then his father the Home Minister should not hesitate to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). If this happens, the facts will emerge. Whoever is found guilty must get appropriate punishment as per law.
What ‘Public Purpose’?
Joaquim Correia-Afonso, Benaulim
On 11 August, your daily has published a Notification No. 23/39/2009-RD dated 05/08/2010 from the Revenue Department on page 13, stating that the land in the Schedule appended was likely to be needed for a public purpose.
This so-called public purpose was described as “L.A. of Land Admeasuring 30,000 Sq. mts at Survey No. 82, 83 Part village of Velim at Cutbona’. Could someone be kind enough to explain what this so-called ‘public’ purpose is?
A ‘family man’!
Peter Gama, Margao
In ‘Churchill spits fire, says ready to take on Luizinho’ (Herald, 9 Aug), Mr Alemao says that besides him, Vijay Sardessai is all set to contest from Fatorda. Are the Assembly election tickets decided by Churchill in Goa, that he has announced the candidature of his daughter Valanka from Benaulim? Why doesn’t he give the Nuvem ticket to his wife, and the Cortalim ticket to his younger daughter? Let the next government be run by him, his brother, his wife and his daughters!
Luizinho Faleiro was the best Chief Minister after Pratapsingh Rane. He tried to safeguard the interest of Goans for employment in all industries coming to Goa. People like Digambar Kamat and Churchill have sold Goa for a loss. Shame on both of them.
Churchill’s big talk
Alvaro Noronha, Margao
Of late, the ravings and ranting of Churchill Alemao are without any substance. Is he slowly realising that his goose is truly cooked? Whatever he stood for on the Save Goa Front ticket is forgotten. Now he says exactly the opposite
Churchill has insulted Goans, saying they are squealing pigs for opposing mega projects. He now supports Mopa; the expansion of Dabolim airport has taken a back seat. Churchill should realise that he can’t fool all the people all the time.
Viva Konkani
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
The editorial ‘Konkani joins the big league’ (Herald, 2 August) shows that after the recognition of Konkani cinema, when Laxmikant Shetgaonkar’s film ‘Poltodcho Munis’ won the Critics Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, it is the turn of Konkani literature to get its place in the sun. Kudos to Ravindra Kelekar for being conferred the Jnanpith Award.
Just as India’s Cricket World Cup victory in 1983 gave a big boost to the country’s cricket, I hope that Konkani’s cinematic and literary success will bring a renaissance in Goa’s cultural scenario and inspire youngsters to dive deep into the sea of Konkani culture and bring up pearls.
I wish the cultural authorities translate Mr Kelekar’s gems into English and other Indian languages, so that non-Konkanis can also appreciate his writing.
Mamlatdar woes
Efigenio Dias, Colva
The government must bifurcate the functioning of the administration and judiciary in the powers of Mamlatdar and Joint Mamlatdars, and nominate additional Mamlatdars, because they are overloaded with cases – mundkar tenancy, land revenue code, etc, plus administration matters and even election work.
There is not even sufficient space to maintain files and records, and there are no cabins or court halls for the Mamlatdar and Joint Mamlatdar to conduct cases, due to which litigants and the public are sufferers.
Ban unsolicited calls
Venan B Dias, Santo Estevam
Recently, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee got a call in the midst of a Parliament session, from a bank canvassing for a home loan. It caused a big hue and cry. Thousands of citizens are subjected to similar unsolicited calls day in and day out, in midst of work. But their complaints are not dealt with seriously.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) must firmly implement the ‘Do Not Disturb’ guidelines. All organisations involved in making unsolicited calls should be penalised.
Tough teachers
Irineu Dias, by email
I was quite shocked to read the threats in several letters by teachers’ aggrieved by their school managements. I feel it is wrong on the part of an employee to do that. Any problem should be solved with the management.
Those who are not happy with the work environment should resign. Things can be solved systematically if there is an understanding between employer and employee.
