India’s bar capital?
In the post 1961 era, Goa has seen much development in two areas ~ opening of banks and opening of new bars. Banks were essential, more so in rural Goa, for the welfare of the people and progress of the State. But was there need to open thousands of new bars? In the name of tourism, successive governments have permitted and still permit new bars all over the State, not sparing even national highways. Are we trying to make Goa, the bar capital of India? Liquor distillers and sellers, as also tax collectors may not like it when I state that the Portuguese taught us to drink liquor in small sips. Tourism is teaching us to bathe in liquor, bottles of it.
In this scenario, comes the heartening news of the central government directive to close liquor shops along the national highways due to accidents and fatalities. What we need on the highways to re-fuel vehicles are some petrol pumps, not ‘liquor pumps’. The State government should not hesitate to implement the central government directive and also put a cap on the number of bars in our State for the good of the people.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Sign boards minus Romi?
This is in reference to the recent statement by the Government of Goa, instructing all government offices in Goa, to have name boards in three languages. But nowhere it says Konkani in Roman script. Is Manohar Parrikar against the use of Roman script for Konkani? At every opportunity, we are told the government wants to promote the use of Roman script for Konkani. Parrikar even proudly tells Goans his government is giving funds to the Dalgado Konknni Akademi for the development of the script. Then does it not deserve a place on the name boards in government offices? Is it only for the kitchen? Konkani is the official language of Goa and hence all its written forms viz. Devnagari and Roman script, should have a prominent place. Romi script Konkani cannot be left out.
Wilson Mazarello, Romi Lipi Action Front
Caged, yet not secure
After reading about the frequency of recent burglaries in Margao, I am confused ~ to take up the offer of a new job or be at home and take care of the belongings bought with my hard-earned money. Our security systems will have to work harder to curb increasing burglaries. It is a sad situation that our belongings are unsafe in our own houses. There was a time, long ago, in Goa, when houses were left literally open and no one dared enter them. Now even after installing grills, our apartments get robbed.
Agniyah Shaikh, Margao
Emergency influence
This refers to the news report ‘1975 Emergency…’ (Herald, June 26, 2013). Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement revealing that he became anti-Congress after Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in 1975, holds no substance. If that was the case, Parrikar conscientiously has no business to be in the Bharatiya Janata Party which was responsible for bringing down the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, which later led to widespread communal carnage in the name of religion in many parts of the country. One needs to understand that Parrikar’s statement is well-timed as the Lok Sabha elections are fast nearing.
Stanley Souza, Cuncolim
Myopic grudges
This refers to the news report ‘Many vultures will feast on Mopa issue’ (Herald, June 23, 2013). It is tragic when an individual departs from a rather good analysis of the issue of Dabolim airport and delves into myopic grudges, thereby hampering the efforts others are willing to put into the same cause. Hurling stones at any organization capable of intensifying the stir is not good. A political movement is also important. Yes, we must be concerned if there are Trojan horses in the movement. Nevertheless, it is absolutely necessary to keep politicians out if they are mouthpieces of the government. Fr Eremito Rebelo, of Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) need not worry about vultures feasting on the Mopa airport issue. Instead, he should give a clarion call to everyone in the State to help build a solid sense of unity. A house divided against itself cannot stand. There is an urgent need to build, instead of a worthless use of words. We have to get one fact very clear ~ our land means our survival.
Irineu Gonsalves, Verna
Time to clean up
The unruly behaviour of so-called security men and their high-handedness is an eye-opener. Dr Oscar Rebello (our senior colleague at GMC in the 1990s) rightly summed up the situation that just because the water in a baby’s bathtub is dirty, it doesn’t mean that we throw out the baby.
It’s time to introspect the many similar incidents that is ‘routine work’ for the ‘bouncers’ at all our important tourist destinations, where in the name of protection, falsified aggression takes expression. Politicians, instead of solving the problem of harassment suffered by law abiding citizens will use this incident either to stop movie shoots to score some brownie points over “opposition” fellow corporators or blame the previous dispensation. Goans must wake up and put their house in order. It’s time to clean this attitudinal garbage in our own backyards and move ahead.
Dr Saidutt Kuvelkar, Miramar
Bouncers’ brawn
The blame for the assault on Dr Oscar Rebello can be squarely put at the doorsteps of the authorities. The film unit no doubt had all the relevant permissions and NOCs. These NOCs like all NOCs are issued with certain conditions. The authorities issue NOCs and forget that those issued an NOC operate beyond the scope of the NOC. Like all the authorities, they turn a blind eye to illegalities committed round them. It is the NOC issuing authority that should be held responsible for all the ills befalling the State be it mining, tourism et al. Also, private security of VIPs (including bouncers) believe that they’ve been given carte blanche to take the law into their own hands.
DC Dias, Taleigao
