The Godses of Goanet
Agnelo P Furtado, Chinchinim
Cyberspace has become the new killing fields of Goa’s ‘agent provocateurs’ and character assassins. Their vicious taunts, like sniper bullets, have felled the glitterati of Goa’s modern freedom struggle and pushed the charismatic and fiery Dr Oscar Rebello into a ‘Wilde’ rage of resignation.
The punch line of every character assassin is: ‘It’s not that I love Oscar less, but that I love Goa more.’ Oh Goa, how many crimes have been committed in thy name… Recently, Goa’s soft spoken braveheart Patricia Pinto was the target of a baseless slur, which tormented her into resignation from the TCP committee.
Dear Oscar-bab and Patricia-bai; ask not what Goans can do for you, but what you can do for Goa. In this very moment of despair, Goa is looking to your leadership. Withdraw your resignations and be reborn in new ‘avatars’ to bachao Goa in the true sense.
Let that be your finest hour. Let not the waft of an unintentional whistleblower relegate you to oblivion. Give us an Independence Day gift. Save us from this pseudo-democracy that has reached the brink of intellectual bankruptcy.
Polluters must pay
Er Jayesh Shrikant Rane, Mumbai
The report ‘Polluters must pay: Ramesh’ (Herald, 15 August) is the decision every Indian is waiting for. Its swift implementation is a must, because oil and other pollutants have badly affected sea life.
Man can recover any kind of loss with full technical support. But no one can recover 100 per cent loss caused to nature. The government should take strong action on the shipping companies involved. so others will learn from the message.
Who are they?
Seby Cardozo, by email
Dr Oscar Rebello in his reply to rumour-mongers (Herald, 11 August) has finally set the ‘cash transactions’ rumours at rest. He was very candid in accepting his failings. But these tiny failings dwarf the great achievement of scrapping the notorious RP-2011 with the support of the people of Goa.
He cited ‘foolish trust in friends’ as one of the reasons for his failings. This must concern Goa, because these ‘friends’ may still be in the GBA. They may be moles who join agitations at an opportune time. The people of Goa, unaware of their chameleon character (which Dr Oscar has experienced), may accept them and again fall prey to their designs.
Dr Oscar has relinquished the leadership, which he has a full right to do. But does he have the right to relinquish the responsibility of making Goa aware of these untrustworthy “friends”? Does it not devolve on Dr Oscar that he steers Goa clear of these moles?
Height of Corruption
Willie Severes, Majorda
It is shocking to note the corruption allegations against the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games. Corruption exists in every country, but in India it is multiplying so much that it has not spared an event as prestigious as the Commonwealth Games.
Why do politicians and bureaucrats stoop to such shocking levels, even while organising an international event of this repute? Those found guilty should be arrested, and the truth exposed at the earliest.
Change your Heart
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
I do not understand how Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in his Independence Day speech said that the state government is sincerely working for providing better service and amenities to the common man (Herald, 15 August). We all saw how Kamat was exposed by Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar in the Assembly over his government’s negligence, misdeeds and corruption.
Incidentally, Independence Day coincided this year with Sunday. Our ganvcho Pad Vigar found the right opportunity to express his feelings in a few Latin words: “Sera, sera corda,” which means ‘change your heart’. Then only will change follow, he said. Will our politicians’ hearts ever change?
Missing the point
Averthanus L D’Souza, Dona Paula
In his letter ‘Alert laity wanted’ (Herald, 16 August), Fr Saturnino Dias clarifies that his sole concern is the progress of the Church in Goa. The non-alert laity of Goa would like to know how raising issues like Saturnino has done in Herald contributed to the “progress of the Church in Goa”. There is no sense in drawing public attention to imagined grievances and then claiming that this was done to preserve the integrity of the Church.
The issue under discussion is not whether there are shortcomings in the Church; it is a pilgrim Church consisting of sinners. The issue is whether the public forum is the most appropriate one in which to wash dirty linen. Fr Saturnino does not seem to have grasped the meaning of ‘propriety’ and prudence.
Points of view
Angelo Alvares, Margao
After going through the article ‘Pathetic Plights of Elderly Diocesan Priests’ by Fr Saturnino Dias (Herald, 4 August) and subsequent letters (Herald, 9, 10 and 12 August) and a reply by Fr Saturnino Dias (‘Alert Laity wanted’, Herald, 16 August), I have only one observation to make.
According to Fr Saturnino, those who support his public criticism of the ecclesiastical authorities, including the Archbishop (even if it is based on the views of those dead and gone) are the ‘alert laity’ (the likes of Paul Rodricks), while those who hold a different viewpoint (even if it is based on personal observation) are ‘blind advocates’ who do ‘disservice to the Church’ (the likes of Dr Francisco Colaco and Averthanus D’Souza)! Further comments are superfluous.
Kids’ plight
Michael Carvalho, by email
With reference to ‘Parent’s plight’ by Glency D’Sa (Herald, 17Aug), it is appalling to know that in spite of high school fees being charged, students are denied basic facilities. This is a crime by the Education Department as well as the School, as these children are being deprived of their childhood joys. How will a child be happy to go to school in these conditions? Will our corrupt politicians do something better for our precious kids?
Whose Independence?
Soter D’Souza, Socorro
‘Whose Independence?’ This is the question that gets debated year after year on Independence Day. It would not be wrong to say that freedom from British rule was ‘Independence’ for the industrialists and their agents, the politicians.
This is why our Goa MLAs say: “We are elected by the people for five years. Who is this motley crowd to dictate to us on policies?” This is why industrialists claim an unquestioned and unregulated right to colonise every nook and corner of the countryside. Even the government babu feels he is doing the people a great favour, and it is his birthright to get tips.
This is why organised people’s movements get so easily labelled as war against the state. British laws like the Indian Penal Code, the Land Revenue Code, the Land Acquisition Act and others continue to be in force in our country.
Was independence about the foreign ruler gifting their oppressive government to our very own colonisers and plunderers who, after all the mess they made over the last 64 years, still feel that the people of this country owe them fat salaries and perks?
Wrong image of Goa
Agniyah Shaikh, Margao
In ‘Is this Goa?’ (Goa’s Heartbeat, Herald, 8 August), Christina Viegas uses strong language to defend her beloved Goa. Goa for the ‘other’ Indians is portrayed as a ‘paradise’, where forbidden fruit is available in plenty. The tourism promotions stereotype Goa for all the wrong reasons.
Non-Goan Indians come here looking for western culture. But a person takes time to realise the simple nature of native Goans. Many non-Goans are peacefully leading their lives in Goa away from their troubled states. It is high time the Tourism made some ‘healthy’ promos for this beautiful state.
