Exposition of Relics
We are just a few days away from the Exposition of the holy relics of St Francis Xavier. The last exposition was held in 2014, ten years later we have it this year in 2024. Many in our midst are missing for life is unpredictable but those who have survived are the fortunate ones, if one can say.
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Having said that, this Exposition, the 18th in a row, of St Francis Xavier isn’t going to be like the earlier ones. In view of the prevailing atmosphere, it is expected to be stricter under surveillance and will not allow devotees to touch the glass casket encasing the relics as in the past but will have to pass by it for personal veneration.
Most devotees would bring religious articles like, rosary, a pair of scapular or a statue of the saint and touch the casket to take it back as a souvenir in remembrance of the event.
The said souvenir would then be used in times of sickness or calamity or at prayer meetings. This is understandable given the fact the strong faith most devotees have in St Francis Xavier. Rightly so, in the same context an elderly expressed her personal view, saying: bhag. Francis Xavier amcho Goencho Saib, tho amcho rakhondar – St Francis Xavier is our Goencho Saib, he is our protector.
Indeed, may St Francis Xavier touch many believers to follow him in his footsteps and may all communities live in peace and harmony respecting humanity.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
Trump’s return reflects people’s faith in him
Despite being repeatedly indicted over various charges — a couple of them serious — Donald Trump has overcome all odds to regain the most powerful position in the world.
Notwithstanding his eccentricity, now known as “Trumpism”, his intact popularity is the stuff of legend. Steadfast stand on immigration by pledging to seal the Mexican border and promising a robust economic revival through higher tariffs for the US manufacturing sector allured the voters to plump for Trump.
Excellent organisational machinery and effectively commencing his presidential campaign as early as 2022 kept him ahead of time. A sluggish Joe Biden, of course, considered a failure domestically as well as internationally, provided Trump the initial ammunition to train his guns on the Democrats.
Despite being controversial, and without having enjoyed an office in the government before taking over the fortunes of the world’s oldest democracy, the brash and calculative Trump endeared himself to sections of the people who were tired of watching presidents with a large degree of monotony and listlessness in their demeanour.
Kamala Harris paled in comparison with the aggressive and dynamic Donald Trump.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Trump won presidency riding the promise to fight inflation
Donald Trump won the presidency for a second time, riding the promise to fight inflation. There is no doubt inflation pain helped him more than anything else to win the election.
Inflation snatches from the poor and the middle class their right to health, education, and even their right to live. In India, rising prices with rising unemployment and inequality have made the situation for a large section of Indians unbearable.
Steep hikes in the cost of medicine, medical treatment, and educational fees deprive more and more people from getting health care and education. Who will check the skyrocketing increase in education fees and medicine prices in India? Where is the regulatory authority?
More government schools, colleges, and hospitals are needed to check the private monopoly. The government should not surrender the health and education of the people of India to profit making machines.
Sujit De, Kolkata
Overhead tanks in market places
It is learnt that despite an inspection of potential sites for the overhead water tank at the market-place in Margao ten months ago, the authorities have reportedly failed to expedite work on the project till date.
There have been several fire incidents reported in the markets across the State. Shops in the market are located close to one another, hence even a small fire in one of the shops can turn the entire market into an inferno in no time.
Fire engines may not be able to enter the narrow passages in the market. The water-hose pipe may not be long enough to be able to reach the interior part of the market.
If a fire incident does take place in the market, the loss suffered by the shopkeepers could run into crores of rupees and could even result in loss of lives.
Fire-hydrant plays a vital role in preventing a fire from spreading. These fire hydrants are connected to a water supply. Firefighters can connect their hoses to the fire hydrant to get water for fighting fires. It is designed to provide rapid access to water if a fire breaks out.
However it is observed that the fire hydrants that are installed in the markets in Goa may not be properly maintained. Some may even not be connected to a water supply.
Even if connected to a water supply, at times the water pressure is not sufficient. The overhead tank boosts water pressure for fire-hydrants and hence these tanks are a necessity in every market place in the State
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Hats off to the
Supreme Court
Hats off to the Supreme Court for pulling up the Uttar Pradesh Government for their illegal demolition in 2019 and also penalising the government to pay a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the man whose house was razed down.
It is also great that the SC judges have warned other State and Union Territory Governments against such demolitions. No Government could just walk in and raze down somebody’s house, built by their hard earned money, that too without any notice. Long live our judiciary!
N Mahadevan, Chennai
