People think if they touch Rampal they will be blessed. It is shocking to know from the investigation team that they found woman lying unconscious and locked in a room and also recovered large haul of ammunition which were kept in almirahs in secret rooms which shows that there were lot of illegal activities going on in the Ashram, premises which was in preparation to fight against police entering the ashram.
India has become a haven for self styled godman, besides Hindu Godman, there are many cases of priest and clerics of other religions misbehaving with women, their followers come from all walks of life rich and poor, they become easy victim, their criminal activities seldom come to light as they are powerful having political links to suppress the investigating agencies.
It is the responsibility of the government to protect the poor from the clutches of such Godman. I am sure there are more skeletons in Rampal’s cupboard which will open as the investigation unfolds. Who will be next after Swami Nityanand, Tunnu Baba, Baspu Asaram and Rampal? It is stomach churning to know that so many Godman are involved in sex crimes. Religion is becoming a money making business.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
—-
Name stand after Monte Cruz
The South Goan football crazy fans are extremely blessed to have the stadium in Fatorda and witness various mega events such as Lusofonia games but we must be very thankful to the former sports minister Francisco Monte Cruz who was instrumental in building the stadium in record time and now we are fortunate specially Xaxticars who do not have to travel like our fellow Goans from the north. Goa football must take a resolution to name the west stand as “Francisco Monte Cruz stand” .
Dixon Vaz, Fatorda
Save animals from plastic
We are so engrossed in safeguarding ourselves, that we have overlooked the fact that animals too are equally important. Plastic once hailed as a revolutionary invention, finds its way into the stomach of animals. This further disrupts their digestion and results in excruciating deaths.
It is high time we realise that we, who consider ourselves superior to animals, understand how much pain we are afflicting on these voiceless creatures. We must ensure that the plastic waste is properly disposed in the bins and not littered in vacant grounds. When can we see a Swach bharat?
Farheen Arfaz, Navelim
Change in Hymn lyrics
The choir music that is being played and the hymns that are being sung at the ongoing novenas of St. Francis Xavier at Old Goa need to be appreciated by one and all. One hymn that is being sung regularly from the hymn book in honour of the saint is “Sam Francis Xaviera vhodda kunvra” (Hymn No. U-20 on Gaianacho Jhelo) in the hymn one of the line of the lyrics reads thus: “besanv ghal, Saiba, desar Goychea” which if literally translated means “bless our country Goa”.
Goa is not a country but one of the states of India. The lyrics of the hymn was probably written when Goa was ruled by the Portuguese. Goa needs to be referred to as a ‘state’ or just a ‘place’ in the hymn. This hymn has been sung for decades without making the necessary change. Whether the change will be made at least now when the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of ‘Goycho saib’ is going on remains to be seen?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Umbrella protest
The new way of protest as evolved by the MPs of the TMC party by using black umbrellas is condemnable. This “temple of democracy”, has been constantly made a mockery of, thanks to the unruly behaviour of its own members. In the past, the Rajya Sabha Secretary General has been heckled. Tearing the bills has been a regular feature now. The Parliament has earlier witnessed utterly shameful incidents like use of pepper-spray.
I remember reading that initially, MPs used to bow before the Chair after entering and leaving the House. Now, this tradition is being observed by a notable few. If MPs do not learn how to behave, they should not be in the misconception that the masses would respect the Parliament then. The Presiding Officers need to firmly deal with such MPs. I hope the BJP has now realised the importance of functioning of the Parliament.
K. B. Dessai, Fatorda
