Is it possible for Goa to be a permanent host for the National Games?
Goa is ready to be a permanent host for National games, if the Centre gives due financial support according to the State Sports Minister. However, hosting the 37th National Games in the State left a lot to be desired as there were several hiccups. During the inaugural function the acoustics failure not only muffled the sound of musicians and singers like Sukhwinder Singh and Hema Sardesai but also left many people angry and frustrated.
The number of passes handed out far outnumbered the number of seats. The fireworks were entertaining but caused severe air-pollution. There were a string of infrastructure failures. The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium, showed leakages during the brief rain shower, and the athletic stadium at Bambolim was swiftly waterlogged, exposing inadequate drainage facilities. There was reportedly also an instance of arch’s collapse at an indoor stadium.
These incidents not only tarnish the reputation of the State government but also pose severe safety risks to participating athletes and officials. The power failure at the stadium during the medal ceremony left everyone in darkness for over 20 minutes bringing all events to a standstill. During the heavy rains on Tuesday, the Campal Games village experienced water-logging. Whether Goa is ready to be a permanent host for the National Games is the big question.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Don’t make Diwali a festival of noise
Our Goan youngsters in the past used to make simple Narkasur effigies on the eve of Diwali in their close neighbourhood, go to play and dance on the beat of their traditional percussion instruments like dhol, taashe etc until midnight and later burn these effigies early morning on Diwali day without creating much of a disturbance for others in Goa.
Today some make giant sized Narkasur effigies everywhere, lighting up (despite of the Supreme Court’s ban on polluting firecrackers and noise pollution) extremely noisy polluting fireworks and disturbing others on the eve of Diwali (especially senior citizens). Also there is blaring windows-shattering DJ music under the influence of alcohol the whole night until the wee hours of the early morning of Diwali day in some of the most remote densely populated residential areas of Goa.
Youngsters should not turn this festival of lights called ‘Diwali’ into a festival of noise and air pollution in Goa. Here’s wishing all my fellow Goans a very happy Diwali in advance……
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Act against Colva illegal structures
I will take as a positive step, the High Court asking for action on about 179 illegal structures at Arambol, vide a suo moto action by the judiciary.
Can I request the High Court to do same with regard to illegal structures at Colva, where despite repeated complaints and follow-ups by NGOs or individuals, the concerned authorities including the GCZMA, local panchayat seem to encourage and turn a blind eye!
The cost of addressing the illegalities should be recovered from the violators in addition to very severe penalties! And may I also request, those in authority who are allowing such illegalities to also be punished by the law!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Unimaginable that Gaunem dam is unused
This has reference to the report ‘Crores of public funds leak from a virtually redundant Gaunem dam’ (O Heraldo November 8, 2023).
What a waste of public funds and infrastructure. It seems unimaginable that a dam built in 2017 for supplying water to nearby villages is lying unused. Definitely, a case of mismanagement on the part of the authorities. This also points to complete lack of planning.
Apparently, the authorities do not seem to have taken into account that pipelines would have to be laid for carrying the water to the villages. Needless to say, while planning infrastructure projects, the authorities ought to carry out a detailed study and set a time frame before embarking on projects. That will save time, energy and public funds.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Mandate safety gear for installation persons
On Tuesday November 7, a 20-year-old resident of New Vaddem, Vasco, accidentally fell from the fifth floor of a building, while installing an air-conditioner outside a flat at Dabolim. Very sad indeed. He was not wearing safety gears. The government should mandate that persons who install air-conditioners, cable TVs, satellite dish or any other outdoor or roof-top fixtures need to be provided with safety gears by the company and/or vendor. Failing to do so should result in fines and even a jail term. Also, the customer who gets the installations done should insist that the technicians wear safety gears or else cancel the order. Safety at work is important and should not be sacrificed for short-cut methods, cutting costs and due to sheer callousness.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Post police where tourists do stunts
Goa has now become a tourist spot for various stunts. Recently a couple is seen seating on front bonnet of car and having a ride along the roads of parts in North Goa. The said stunt is captured on mobile camera and was viral on social media. In spite of several precautions and warnings the tourist in Goa do all sorts of stunts putting their own life and that of others at risk. If while riding on the bonnet suddenly brakes are applied the couple would definitely fall on the road leading to injuries and then they would blame Goan roads.
It has been a practise among tourists to do stunts, drive rashly on the roads, and beaches and then blame Goa police for not acting on the scene. It’s high time that State government posts traffic police on all the internal village road where these stunts happen. It’s high time to be vigilant and strict on the streets, to curtail such stunts both on the roads and beaches.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
