Battle has been won but the war is on
Many Goans must have heaved a sigh of relief when former Sancoale sarpanch Premanand Naik on Wednesday withdrew his 10-day-long hunger strike ahead of Diwali.
Mr Naik who was adamant to continue his indefinite hunger strike, finally bowed to pressure from some elected representatives from various opposition parties, NGOs, social activists and the general public who persuaded him to call off the hunger strike keeping in mind his deteriorating health.
He put his life at risk against the controversy-ridden Bhutani Infra project. The former sarpanch however warned that he would resume his hunger strike after two days. It must be said that the battle has been won but the war is far from over.
Premanand Naik’s sacrifice should not go in vain. It is learnt that other community members will continue the chain hunger strike at Sancoale till such time that the construction license granted to Bhutani project is not revoked. The hunger strike has galvanized the people of the entire state to rise against illegal constructions in their respective localities. It has sent a strong message to the powers-that-be that Goans will not tolerate any illegalities and will fight it tooth-and-nail. The battle against illegal constructions in various villages is far from over.
Premanand Naik’s hunger strike has provided a launching pad for further protests against deforestation and hill-cutting activities in order to make way for mega housing projects.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Introduce Romi script Konkani in schools
I am writing to highlight the natural ease with which Goan youngsters have embraced reading Konkani in the Romi script, and to advocate for its inclusion in our school curriculum.
It’s a common sight across churches in Goa — hundreds of young people confidently reading passages in Konkani for services and religious gatherings, despite not having formal education in Romi script.
This success is largely due to the use of the familiar English alphabet, which they are already comfortable with due to their schooling.
If we were to introduce even one subject in schools using the Romi script, the results could be transformative. The younger generation would not only enhance their proficiency in reading and writing Konkani but would also grow closer to their roots. In turn, this would foster greater appreciation and pride for their language and heritage.
I urge the education authorities to consider the potential benefits of including Romi script Konkani in school curriculum. By doing so, we can empower the next generation to preserve and celebrate our linguistic heritage.
Gabriel (GR) Crasto, Navelim
Stop turning festivals into late night disco parties
A group of youngsters were seen blasting/dancing on loud blaring windows shattering DJ music across the state on the eve of Diwali under the influence of alcohol in front of their huge giant sized Narkasur effigies until midnight (some even until the whee hours of the early morning of Diwali day) in some of the most remote densely populated residential areas and deliberately disturbing others in the name of enjoying themselves in Goa.
The worst part was that the police teams, which were supposed to actively monitor noise levels or decibels of loud music across the State on the eve of Diwali were seen moving around in their vehicles at some places for a while in the name of conducting inspections and allowing these youngsters to continue playing with their loud amplified music after taking their 'hafta' or extortion money from them & later disappearing from the scene.
Of course, everyone has a right to celebrate/enjoy their respective festivals in a way they want to, but definitely not by blasting loud amplified DJ music from multiple locations in some close residential areas sending vibrations and disturbing others until midnight.
Why can’t today’s youngsters (despite most of them being highly educated and holding big degrees/diplomas of post-graduations) celebrate such unique festivals peacefully without blasting/dancing on loud blaring amplified DJ music, under the influence of alcohol in close residential areas until midnight and without disturbing the peace of others (especially of all the senior citizens suffering from some serious ailments) in today's liberated Goa?
I think that these youngsters should stop turning such unique festivals into some late night disco parties by consuming alcohol, dancing on loud blaring DJ music the whole night and disturbing others to enjoy their own inner devilish kicks.
Instead, they should start celebrating such festivals in a more civilised/dignified manner without disturbing the peace of others to really maintain the uniqueness of all such festivals in Goa.
Yes, they should henceforth stop turning a unique festival of lights called 'Diwali' into a festival of noise by behaving self-centered/totally selfish and living in the dark in Goa. Hope better sense prevail....
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Embracing the communion of saints
Each time we say the Apostles’ Creed at Mass, we say, “I believe in the communion of saints.”
Most likely that phrase in the Apostles’ Creed has become for most of us just a phrase we say, to which we really haven’t given much thought. Whenever we affirm our belief in the communion of saints we are affirming believers, living and deceased, in the body of Christ.
It reminds us that our connection with fellow Christians doesn’t end with death; it continues in God’s holy presence. All Saints’ Day is the perfect time to pray to all our holy men and women, asking for their intercession for the conversion of sinners, so that we might all become saints.
Anish Esteves, Mumbai