Goans will not fall prey to diversionary tactics
Tuesday’s march by hundreds of Goans including activists at the TCP office at Patto in Panaji snowballed into bigger protests with protestors gathering at different locations across Goa to raise their voice against rampant land conversion in the state.
There were reportedly agitations by the civil society at Old Goa, Chopdem, Fatorda and Chinchinim as speakers appealed to the people to remain united against arbitrary changes in land use regulation to protect the identity and lands of Goa.
Call it a coincidence or a deliberate attempt, there were instances of communal tension brewing in certain pockets, especially in Canacona and Cuncolim. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has reportedly appealed to people from different communities to refrain from unnecessarily visiting police stations over needless issues.
There has also been an instance wherein a derogatory remark was made by a certain individual against St Francis Xavier, which has hurt the religious sentiment of the devotees of the saint, irrespective of the religion they belong to. Congress leaders have reportedly condemned the attempt to create disharmony between various sections of people in order to divert attention from the real issues plaguing the State.
There are more important issues that need prompt attention like unemployment, protests against land conversions, hill-cutting, garbage issues, corruption, water scarcity, etc. However this time around, Goans are focused on the task at hand and will not fall prey to these diversionary tactics by certain elements.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Carryout surveillance inspection on bakeries
The FDA should carry out surveillance inspections on bakeries in goa. Bakery items spoil quickly. The bakery products like pastries are being sold without following expiry date schedules and face the wrath of customers. Some do not conform to food safety norms. Additionally, several pastries and cakes lack use-by dates, violating FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) regulations.
People should be cautious while purchasing items and to check the labels for manufacturing dates and other details. Make sure you ask how fresh each item is before purchasing. Else your health will be affected. The FDA must find ways to use technology for surveillance work.
The bakeries need to be periodically monitored so that they have a sense of accountability, which is currently missing in most cases. Consumers want fresh items, for which good raw material is necessary.
Many bakery products are considered unhealthy largely due to the poor quality of ingredients used. Traditional bakeries in Goa have always been part of the local social fabric. Actually there are iconic bakeries in Goa which regularly dish out the best for the publics that own Goa’s undying love. They are still relevant and pull in crowds despite the advent of new bakeries.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Onions bring tears
once again
The price of onions has seen a steep rise in the country once again in the last one month. Onion is the staple food of the common man and it is required by us daily, not only for cooking but even for making salads, raita and snacks items like poha. Without onions, we are unable to cook our food.
The government must control inflation and must do something to bring down the price as a relief to the families of the lower and middle-class income groups. The steep price rise of onions is bringing tears to our eyes and making us cry bitterly. Potatoes, tomatoes, and onions are vital ingredients in Indian cooking, and any significant price increase in these items can disrupt the monthly budget of households.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai
Trams oozed warmth
and charm
One of Kolkata's most loved transport modes, trams, will now be relegated to history. Derived from the Scottish "wagons", they generally consist of one or two carriages and operate on tracks laid at ground level but can stop quickly due to their slow speed and electromagnetic brakes.
Last year, Kolkatans marked the 150th anniversary of trams notwithstanding the sad fact that the trams' popularity had waned over the decades with only three routes available when the West Bengal government recently decided to call it a day for them, except on one route, citing more efficient and transport options.
But the electric-operated trams could have been provided a new lifeline by the government more so because they were regarded as pocket-friendly by the poor.
Be that as it may, environmental activists are, however, up in arms against the state government decision because trams are known to be one of the most environment-friendly modes of transport in cities, where air pollution has injected crippling diseases among the citizens.
Although by no means the trams were exclusive to Kolkata - cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Patna ran trams - for the warmth and charm the trams of the "city of joy" oozed, and for their sheer longevity, they have to be accorded the UNESCO heritage status.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Step motherly
treatment
The BJP government at the centre has now announced Rs 6000 crore flood aid for 14 states. However, it is unfortunate that, despite repeated requests made to the Modi government for flood relief funds to mitigate the huge losses of life and properties incurred by the people of Tamil Nadu (TN) in various floods, they have not released even a single rupee till date and even in the Rs 6000 crore released, TN has been neglected.
What a blatant step motherly attitude of the Modi government which looks at TN with a Nelson's eye! Out of the 14 States that received a share in the Rs 6000 crore relief, 11 are BJP-ruled States and those in alliance with the saffron party which exposes the divisive agenda of the Modi government.
Tharcius S Fernando,