Gone are the days when Goans lived in houses made of mud and thatched roof (coconut tree leaves). Pigs were reared for pork and fed on waste food and human excreta due to pig styled toilets. Goans still enjoy pork but now there is scarcity of local pigs; and pork supplies come from neighbouring Karnataka.
Goans have adopted high standard of living. We have demolished old huts and mud houses and stay in flats or air conditioned bungalows — some made readily available by the builders. Village type of life has come to an end. The builders have conquered us. People’s representatives are either kidnapped or hijacked by the builders’ lobby and have to dance to their tunes. Good roads are being destroyed to construct sewerage connections to help builders. They may not need to put an STP for a housing project anymore because of blessings coming in the form of sewerage connections made possible by the government. At one time there was never a thought, nor a need of this sewerage system. Good old days are gone. Acche din ayega…? Happy days ahead for good motoring, till then suffer now.
Tadeu L M Gracias, by email
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Withdraw support
The demand of the BJP seeking resignation of Deepak from the Cabinet for criticizing the government for amending the Tenancy Act and the tenants asking the MGP to withdraw support to the government over the amendment will show the true colours of the MGP whether they love the chair or want the votes of the tenants. In my view the MGP should withdraw support to the government for pursuing anti-people policies.
Marcos Alemao, Varca
False healers
It must be said that of late one hears of several so called ‘healing sessions’ which are conducted by some self proclaimed ‘brothers’ who claim that the so called healing miracles are performed in the name of Jesus Christ. Several prayers sessions and ‘healing sessions’ are advertised by way of banners and posters. How much truth is there in the claim is left to one’s belief. But then the church in Goa needs to make a statement on the authenticity of such miraculous ‘healings’. It cannot remain silent as several people belonging to the Catholic faith are drawn to these so called healing sessions. It appears that there is a parallel prayer service going on in the State besides the church services. It must be said that many miracles do take place during the Eucharistic Celebrations but no one talks about these miracles. The faithful belonging to the Catholic faith need to have proper guidance from the church as far as such ‘healing sessions’ are concerned.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
MMC chief’s Illegality
It was interesting to read that the SGPDA will be razing down an illegal structure belonging to the ‘honourable’ first citizen of Margao town — the Margao Municipal Council Chief Gonzaco Rebello. It shows that those who are meant to upkeep the laws in the town are themselves becoming offenders. It is a matter of shame and Rebello needs to resign on moral grounds.
R Samsons, Pune
Call off first Test
The sad demise of Philip Hughes has dealt a body-blow to cricket and shocked cricket fans world-wide. Hughes was felled by a bouncer. A promising career was snuffed out at only 25 years of age. Back home in India, it’s a double whammy for cricket fans, as the games have been brought into disrepute by cricket administrators and players.
Under the circumstances, it would be prudent to call off the first test match as a mark of respect to Hughes and to recall the team. A new team should be selected for the second Test, excluding all players named in the Mudgal committee report.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
