Azad Maidan today!
Roger D’Souza, Vasco da Gama
The article by Anthony Simoes ‘Tourism and the Goan nemesis’ (Herald, 12 Oct) would have been amusingly funny but for the fact that’s the true ground reality for Goa and Goans today. Our Government of Goa does not care for Goa or Goans! All the more reason for us to be at Azad Maidan on October 14 at 4:30 pm to speak out for Goa and Goans! Goa is being sacrificed on the altar of greed and corruption by the government for the Real Estate, Hotel, Casino, Mining, Business Lobbies and the Drugs and Crime Mafias.
AG’s 90 percent failure
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
The news item ‘AG succeeds in 90 percent cases’ (Herald, 13 Oct) is factually incorrect and misleading. In fact it is his failure rate that is over 90 percent and on this I would challenge Advocate General Subodh Kantak to a public debate. Kantak, India’s highest paid AG, earned over Rs 5 crore in the last five years. His payment is now reduced to Rs 5 lakh per month which is still hefty. Maharashtra, Gujarat AGs earn a maximum of Rs 50,000 per month. AGs appear only for major constitutional matters, Kanthak, paid Rs 8000 per hearing appears in minor matters too. He represented 102 accused in the famous Saleli case. Instead of claiming Rs 8000 since he used one common argument, he claimed Rs 8000 x 102 = Rs 8, 16, 000 paid by the public exchequer. He also lost that case.
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River Princess
Finn Haugland, Norway
What has happened regarding removal of the River Princess? Is the entire story a joke? People who have seen the wreck are very concerned. The entire future of Candolim can be destroyed. The tourists may move to South Goa. There are lots of tourists who are concerned about the future of Candolim.
Role of the Church
M Sousa, Mapusa
My letter ‘Church and Politics’ (Herald, 29 Sept) has evoked sharp and incongruous criticism. The news article featured Fr Diogo Fernandes with Congress politicians at the birthday celebration of Francis Sequeira at Benaulim. I said, the Church wishes only to influence politics for the good of humanity not enter into it. Attending a political meeting is not bad in itself, but it should not lead to encouraging people to throw stones and eggs at other people. Also, you don’t need a priest to build an educational institution. A priest has to build the Catholic Church. I am neither a wolf nor a sheep, but I stand with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Herald must help Lorna
Ashwin Honawar, Campal
I fully agree with Irineu Gonsalves’ letter ‘Padma for Lorna’ (Herald, 3 Oct). Goan and Konkani artists have not been recognized nationally or internationally. Goan musicians have headlined Indian music for ages, yet ignored. The efforts of the company ‘Konkani Rocks’ revived Lorna in a big way. The Herald as Goa’s oldest newspaper has always supported Goan causes. As market leader you should take the lead in creating awareness about Lorna and other musicians. Unified lobbying by all Goans will help Lorna earn the Padma award. you must launch a campaign seeking national recognition for Lorna, and other icons of Goan music before it is too late.
Portuguese hangover?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
The Corporation of the City of Panaji has done splendid work renovating the Municipal garden at a cost of Rs 2 crores. But why is the Portuguese name of Jardim Garcia da Orta retained? Garcia da Orta was a Portuguese physician. How many of the present generation know about his contribution to society? Why not name the garden after a prominent Goan who has contributed immensely towards the development of the state? Or why not call it CCP Garden? The Children’s Park in Vasco is known as Parque Infantil. Isn’t it high time we got rid of the colonial hangover?
Cristao differences old
Antonio Menezes, by email
Frederick Noronha in his article ‘Of Cristãos, Cristãos and Cristãos’ (Herald, 13 Oct) rightly dwells on differences among Christians of Goa preventing them from being a homogenous society. So far so good. But these differences came to the fore way before Liberation. Divergences among Christians were assiduously fostered by religious authorities in the form of caste-wise confrarias (yellow/white, red and blue clad soldiers of Christ) for more than four centuries. Please give the devil his due!
Economic development
Anthony P’Souza, Canacona
In order to increase our economy, Government should encourage farming by providing farmers what they need to cultivate their fields instead of thinking of merging Goa into Karwar to benefit our economy. It is not necessary to increase our land, because it will not benefit the common man. Only politicians will enjoy by introducing mega projects.
Kitchenware sellers rob
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Despite being warned about burglars masquerading as kitchenware sellers, people still allow these individuals to enter their homes, facilitating their plans for a future robbery. When they enter my house I always photograph them with my digital camera. The Police should also question these vendors. I request Goa Police to make these vendors compulsorily register at the police station with photograph and addresses. This would be less expensive than the public buying expensive anti-burglar equipment.
Letter to Tourism Minister
Rui Ribeiro Da Gama (Mapusa)
Beach beds, tables and chairs hamper free movement of people. The beach bed boys supported by shack owners are arrogant and threaten those who protest. All the beaches in Goa are State Property owned by the people of Goa. The Tourism Department and GTDC should not violate the law by creating obstruction and nuisance to the public. It is a Criminal Offence under Sections 268 and 283 of the Indian Penal Code. If you must allow beach beds, let them be erected strictly within the area allotted to the shack.
GBA must widen its net
Allwyn George, Carmona
There many other issues to save Goa from,not just the Regional Plan 2021. GBA must show the people of Goa the path of enlightenment
and freedom from the present politicians and other serious issues plaguing Goa other than only RP 2021. GBA must
look into rampant corruption, poor education in a medium hostile to our children,traffic chaos, police controlled by politicians,
poor housing policies and a bad health system.
Not a spokesman
Dr Manoj V Solanki, Margao
This is in response to the news report ‘Sanstha decries Disco Dandiya as desecration’ (‘Herald’, 6 October). It contains some points from my letter of 4 October. While I am glad that you have published some matter about ‘Navratra’, there are some points that I would like to clarify.
I have been quoted as an activist of Sanatan Sanstha and a spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). Please note that I am no longer the spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti of Goa. The matter sent is my personal view, and not a press release of any organisation.
