3rd Jan Letters

Dear Modiji, is there no place for minorities in our country? As declaring Good Governance Day only to celebrate birthday of BJP leaders to offset a National Holiday, is just taking the minorities for a ride. Now, we are deprived of our right to celebrate our festival wherein all this years we had no problem with December 25, but celebrating Good Governance Day on Christmas day is something absurd and an insult to Christians.

We could celebrate Good Governance Day on January 1 but such a move to destabilise the fabric of religious harmony is not expected from our honourable Prime Minister of India who had specifically said that to move forward we need everyone and that means all religions. Where is the unity now? How can the minorities co-operate when on an important day of Christianity, are not allowed to offer prayers. I hope every religion has the right to celebrate in India, the country known and recognized worldwide for “Unity in Diversity”.

Signs along the approach roads on both sides of the Zuari Bridge say in bold letters that six-wheeler vehicles are prohibited over the Zuari Bridge. But the fact is that, not only six-wheeler vehicles, but also massive ten-wheeler vehicles are seen crossing the bridge at any given point of time. Obviously, these signboards do not assume any significance. The presence of these heavy vehicles along with other light vehicles can add to the stress on the bridge, which has reportedly shown signs of weakening. It is a common sight to see the bridge totally occupied from one end to the other end with vehicles specially, during the rush hour. All these vehicles both, light and heavy, present at any given point of time and moving at a snail’s pace can put a lot a load on the bridge further weakening it. This is all the more reason to have a new bridge over the River Zuari at the earliest to prevent any untoward incident.

During the last general election, it was Modi versus the rest; the driving force was to defeat Modi at any cost. The secular cocktail was brewed and different political formations contributed various ingredients. Some of the intellectuals and writers threw their hats in the ring. Now the same groups have come together to see that the present government does not deliver on its promises. Every policy initiative is criticised; any attempt at streamlining the working of the various agencies is scorned at. There is a determined move to halt all developmental activities. The working of this hidden agenda is evident in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha. Everyday some issue or the other was raked up to see that the Rajya Sabha did not transact any government business. The same tactic was adopted in the Lok Sabha. However, there is a no-nonsense presiding officer in the Lok Sabha and the government business was transacted in spite of repeated disturbances. All these activities stem from a sense of insecurity. Some of the political formations are struggling for existence; some of them may soon become the dinosaurs of Indian politics. Their main target is Modi and not the BJP as it was Modi who confronted them in their own turfs. Therefore, there is a sustained campaign in the media against him. He is abused, ridiculed and denigrated. However, Modi is such a person who would not buckle under pressure. As long as he is in the helm of affairs, development will be the focus of the government. People have greater faith in Narendra Modi than in any other political leader in the country at present.

The article of Adelmo Fernandes, titled “A new year, but same old resolutions” (January 1), made an enjoyable read. Come December and I start to make different resolutions for the upcoming New Year so as to bring in a new ‘dawn’ in my life! But each and every New Year, I see all things coming back to square one within a few days or at a maximum of few weeks! It seems resolutions are meant only to be broken! Moreover, a feeling of frustration creeps in when I fail to maintain the resolution. Instead of making resolutions for 2015, I have preferred to take refuge in memorable quotations of three eminent authors and poets. First, ‘If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way’ – Napoleon Hill. Second, ‘Every moment is a fresh beginning’ – T S Eliot and the third, ‘Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start now and make a brand new ending’ – Carl Bard.

If I adhere to these three messages and concentrate in performing my duties sincerely, provide utmost value to each moment of life and strive for a better future instead of lamenting over past faults and deficiencies; 2015 will automatically turn out to be a year of achievements.

I spent October last with my son and his family in a New York Jewish locality and I noticed with keen interest a Jewish custom on their Sabbath (Saturday) holy day.

No matter whether a Jew is young or old, rich or poor, all of them walk towards their synagogue in black suits and round top hats. They park their vehicles somewhat away from their place of worship. On their way they exchange pleasantries with fellow Jewish families and this custom helps them to keep physically in touch with each other.

I wish Goan Catholics had adapted a similar custom of parking their scooters and cars somewhat away from Church premises and walk to and from Church on Sundays, thus keeping physically in touch with each other, however briefly.