Goodbye Mr Parrikar and all the best in your new assignment as Defence minister at the centre. Progressive Goans will miss you. Goa’s loss will be the centre’s gain. But Goa will now have a powerful voice in New Delhi.
Parrikar ruled with a firm hand like the PM. Now that the cat is away the mice will come out to play. Goan politics will be in a churn. The ayarams and gayarams will become active again. The past will be forgotten. Those who campaigned against official candidates will be welcomed with open arms. Loyal workers will be forgotten.
The progress of Goa will be put on the back burner. Welfare schemes will taper off. Goa will return to susegad rate of growth. But it’s party time for our leaders. Achhe din are back again…for Goan politicians, not for us.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Marathi pratagonists
I felt ashamed while watching the oath ceremony of the Chief Minister Parsenkar on TV and wondered as if all the eight ministers who took oath in Marathi came from Maharashtra.
Shame to all those ministers who forgot their mother tongue Konkani. I do not think all those who attended the ceremony understood what they said in Marathi.
Whiterose, Carmona
Congrats Herald
I would like to congratulate Herald for dedicating a page and updating in detail various types of issues concerning people of Goa. It’s the need of the hour as the government is concentrating more on tourism and ignoring all other social issues. Can we dare to dream Goa free of all these issues which will then be beneficial for both insiders and outsiders
as well.
Fareena Hussainy, Navelim
The Vajpayee of Goa
The fast paced developments on the Goan political stage has left people with mixed feelings depending on their locations and loyalties to their leaders.
But as we look back at the Parrikar era as Goa’s CM we can feel the difference between his relations with the people of Goa and especially the minorities, with that of the other BJP leaders. His relationship with late Mathany and the altar boys from the South helped him to come to power and made it easier for the people of the South to directly voice their grievances even on contentious issues like Mopa, mining and the regional plan.
With new political equations taking shape where every MLA will want to have their own way it has to be seen how the new CM will solve these difficult issues faced by Goa. But one can say without any doubt that the BJP will not find another Vajpayee in Goa very soon.
Matias Lobo, Oman
Modi’s new cabinet
The Cabinet reshuffle has taken place – it is more balanced on political considerations whosoever may be in the forefront – whether it is Modi himself or Amit Shah or his other ministers. Modi government must deliver and fulfill promises made to common men. The cabinet /Minister must help in improving the efficiency of the government at the Centre.
The principles of good governance must be strictly followed by the Modi government – each and every department/wing/ office under the Modi government. The common men must feel hassle free life in dealings with government offices at Central / State and local levels (at least where BJP is ruling) and its staff; and must have comfortable and economical living on all day to day life needs.
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi
True development
India is a democratic country and all Indians are treated equally. But women in India face so much insecurity and harassment, as we read in the newspapers everyday. Last month a Russian was molested twice, once on the beach and again during the medical examination by the doctor. Foreigners come to India to enjoy its scenic beauty, culture, but with such incidents what our we project ourselves as to foreign countries. These are not just one off incidents, but happening regularly.
The government should take some concrete actions to stop such incidents. Only then we can claim that we are developing
nation.
Farnaz Banu, Navelim
