It was interesting to note the contrast between two pressing issues, Mopa Airport and Sancoale Marinas reviewed in May 3 Herald Review.
While anti-Mopa initiative seems to be dragging into unnecessary divide (civil society and politicos; environmentalists and economists; South and North; priest and lay leaders etc..), the anti-marinas initiative managed to unite even the bitter rivals (political or otherwise).
While the uniting factor in anti-marinas initiative looks to be sheer altruistic concern towards the fragile bay ecosystem of Sancoale and its window pane Oyster. The dividing factor of anti-Mopa movement appears to be political opportunism, egoistic considerations and fear of dilution of the people’s movement.
Going by ‘United we stand’ the anti-marinas movement at Sancoale will surely dock to victory. And considering ‘divided we fall’ the anti-Mopa crusaders need to refrain from anything that might hamper the safe landing for the people’s movement.
At the same time care and caution is to be taken not to dilute the movement by providing a platform of anti-Mopa crusade to the known ditchers. In my opinion GFDO is right in keeping at bay the untrustworthy political opportunist who grounded the original movement for his political gains. And some of us need to understand that GFDO is not the movement of Archbishop and his men. It is purely a people’s movement spearheaded by a Priest who is first the citizen of this state. And to conclude I say, ‘if economics seeks to thrive at the cost of ecology be sure there is an ecological disaster in the making’.
Bolmax Pereira, Quepem
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We cannot allow this
Herald’s exposure of the Party Zone at Sada jail is commendable. In the same issue some cops were involved in extortion. These are not one off incidents but are the rule of the day. All illegal activities including sale of drugs/extortion from businessmen etc. are proliferating because the Police use them for personal benefit.
The money extorted is distributed over all ranks. IPS officers sold confiscated drugs. The present extortion from the massage parlour owner-whose illegal activity was prostitution-was exposed as the money was kept by a few. The anti-burglary squad involved in the extortion- are not concerned with prostitution and so used the money for themselves on the sly-they did not have to distribute the same over all ranks.
The Police have to ‘earn’ trust and we cannot agree to building a false trust in the Police which will only be used to further their illegal activities.
R Fernandes, Margao
Inept administration
Criticize the PM or other leaders on social media and by hook or by crook they will find you and put you in jail. Yet, the same establishment is unable to locate a flamboyant and high flying “MLA” who has been convicted and asked to surrender by the Supreme Court.
The country and the state are on a downward spiral and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. The Prime Minister is in China, hope he learns about Chinese discipline and how they ruthlessly deal with those who play with public security through dishonest means. They executed the adulterators of baby formula summarily- in India we would probably elevate them to ministerial berths.
Ryan Lobo, Calangute
