The question to be asked is why are the inhabitants of these illegal dwellings not shifted to the place allocated for them much before the demolition is carried out? This will save the inhabitants of these structures, which also include children and the elderly people, a lot of trouble. It would also not be necessary to have such a large police force during the demolition if the inhabitants were shifted to the new location well in advance. It may be recalled that some years back the hutment in the red-light area at Baina was also razed down amid chaotic scenes. It seems necessary for rehabilitation to precede any demolition activity of any illegal dwellings. These are the migrants who are approached by the local politicians for the votes before the elections and are left high and dry when they are in real need of help. This is unacceptable, even if the people in question are migrants living in illegal dwellings. After all they are human beings and should be treated as such.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
One Rank One Pension
Around 30 lakhs retired soldiers and about 5 lakhs hapless widows got a rude jolt when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley allotted a mere 1000 crore for the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP). In fact in every election meeting Modi was selling dreams to the soldier fraternity by declaring that the OROP granted by the UPA was an eye wash and that the NDA, on coming to power, will grant real OROP. Soldiers believed Modi and voted en-block for BJP. NDA government came to power with absolute majority and our soldiers felt that they got a government which will see the plight of our Armed Forces with empathy and resolve their long outstanding issues. But Jaitley’s budget was a disappointment for our soldiers. The optimism placed on Modi government by the Indian Armed forces is going to be shattered.
Major Mathew Oommen, Pune
Shame on Rivona
With due respect to all the peace loving people of Goa and Rivona in particular I would like to express my deep sadness and shame on the parents of the students from the Rivona school who have made the lives of the innocent orphan children a living hell and in the process brought shame and scorn on the people of Rivona and the whole of Goa.
With Chief Minister and Ministers bringing Goa in the national headlines we did not need educated parents to show their illiteracy and moral bankruptcy to the rest of India and the whole world. I feel that these parents should be taught a lesson in morals and their children should not be given admissions in any school in Rivona or elsewhere in Goa.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Rivona crisis
I refer to the beautiful article on People’s Edit by Tennyson Xavier Fernandes on your daily dated 12th July 2014. The writer has quoted Jesus’s teachings from the Gospels. Some of us Catholics have thrown these teachings to the wind and have become self-righteous. I am glad that Fr Lino Florindo is handling the Rivona students’ matter. Pilar priests are known for their service to the down-trodden and the poor. I also appeal to the agitated parents to think rightly and do what is best for their children. If the nuns looking after the HIV+ children are not affected then how can you say your children will be affected?
Maria Gracias, Agacaim
No to Muthalik!
Hopefully the issue of Muthalik coming and setting base in Goa has been laid to rest after much heated debates. Hope Muthalik has realized that he and organization have no place in our peaceful state. The so called ‘ Hindu organizations ‘ that met in Goa were asking to change all that and declare India as a ‘ Hindu Rashtra ‘ , which if done automatically will mean that the minorities will have to shed many of their rights and be relegated to second class citizens. HJC is asking for a ban on cow slaughter. One organization even demanded introduction of compulsory Vedic teaching in school curriculum. Such statements and activities reek of anti-nationalism and long term hidden agendas of these outfits. The problem is that these rightwing groups have got encouraged knowing that their RSS backed party has got absolute majority so they feel they can say and do whatever they want .The Chief Minister should not forget that Goans voted for those MLAs supporting his government with assurances that these fanatics and communal outfits won’t be allowed into Goa. In future these Rightwing organizations should not be allowed to conduct their meetings and create tension in our peace loving state where all communities live in total harmony. I hope this will be their last convention in Goa!
Napolean A D’Souza, Saligao
