This has reference to your report on the functioning of the Passport Office at Panaji, Goa- Herald 17 September, 2014.
Recently I had the occasion to deal with the Passport office at Goa. The experience was totally different from that of my earlier visits during the last 25 years or so.
Surely the present Passport Officer Mr. Agnelo Fernandes and his team deserves kudos for their sense of courtesy, accessibility and efficiency. The speed with which Mr. Agnelo deals with those who approach him is remarkable. His ability to advise those who seek his guidance is precise. His humility and openness towards the young or old without any signs of discrimination with regard to any sort of status is something that one would wish that other officers in the various Government departments could emulate.
His punctuality and availability at his desk is well above that which one is accustomed to in Government Offices.
Goa in particular and our country in general would surely be a better place if we had more officers of the likes of Mr. Agnelo. May God bless him and his team at the passport office.
Capt. Eddie Viegas, Vasco Da Gama
————
Serious offence
A passenger travelling by a KTC bus was reportedly arrested after he was caught red-handed taking snaps of female passengers with a mobile (Herald September 17). This must be considered a very serious offence on par with outraging the modesty of women. It must be said that it is very easy to take photographs of ladies with the mobile without drawing the suspicion of the people around. These photographs can then be morphed with indecent pictures. These morphed pictures can even be used to blackmail the lady by threatening her of posting the pictures on social media like Facebook.
This can have an adverse affect on the life of the lady. Hence taking photographs of ladies on the mobiles clandestinely must be considered a very serious crime and the culprit tried for outraging the modesty of the lady.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Lasting reward
In our modern commercialist world where we are always on the run, the news of the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise selfish world where we beg, borrow or steal to make ends meet.
In an age where religion is mainly used as a tool by politicians to come to power, where we worship our leaders as gods for a few pieces of silver it would be more rewarding to put our faith and trust in Him for lasting rewards.
And who better than our own son of the soil Blessed Joseph Vaz is a true example that hard work, perseverance and faith in Him will ultimately give us true reward.
Matias Lobo, Oman
Great news
After hearing the news that Blessed Joseph Vaz will be proclaimed as Saint Joseph Vaz, our heart rejoiced. A tear silently flowed from my eyes but it is the tear of joy and happiness. Though we have no words to express our joy and gratitude to god for having heard the prayer of Goan and Sri Lanka. It is a great pleasure to Banalkar and Sakvalkar that our village brother will became a Saint, but most importantly we Goans thank Fr. Eremito Rebello and Fr. Robin Rodrigues and others who have worked behind the scene for their countless efforts to make this day a reality. Thank you Father, we Goans will never forget you and your hard work that you have shown towards Goa. Praise the Lord.
Livia Silva, Benaulim
Bin pan
It is reported that State capital Panjim is binless since Dec 2003 (Herald Sept 16), and the results are there for all to see! Binless is a ridiculous notion since visitors to the city, be they coming in to see a movie, shop/market or are tourists, visit restaurants/eating joints etc have nowhere to dispose of litter!
In New Zealand, touring from north to south, I found a convenient bin everywhere. In cities I noticed almost every street had two bins for litter. People today are educated by the media and in Panchayats as their children are in schools. Many travel abroad and notice the difference! It is only a matter of governance and enforcing discipline.
When are we going to have the will? Why is there no urgency and government dragging its feet to make Goa garbage free?
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
