PORGOTTNNAR: A must-watch Konkani operetta
On December 8, we, the people of Benaulim Deanery had the golden opportunity to witness the Konkani opperetta on the life and mission of St. Francis Xavier aptly titled Porgottnnar, keeping in mind the pastoral theme of the year.
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It was a fabulous and mind-blowing operetta. Kudos to the Convenor of the Exposition Committee, Rev F Henry Falcao, who suggested to the inborn-Maestro Rev Fr Simon D’Cunha to do something during the 18th Exposition of the Relics of our Goencho Saib.
What resulted was not just something but an operetta that was superb. On behalf of the spectators who for two hours watched the show with pin a drop silence and in a prayerful attitude. I want to congratulate the entire team led by Fr Simon D’Cunha for his concept, music and orchestration.
Credit also goes to Fr Luis Gomes for the Script and Lyrics, to the Director Agnel de Borim, to the awesome Choreographer Ms Cecille Rodrigues who took us to Navarra Spain, Set designers Fr. Jovial Fernandes and Fr. Dyrel Dias, Light effects Fr. Doel & Jerson, the Costume Designer Lilly Garments. We must also highly appreciate all the 16 musicians, 24 singers and about 60 artistes. It surely must have been a herculean task to have practices and especially the apt stage setting. Everything was flawless.
We would like to suggest that after taking so much pains and putting in hard labour, Porgottnnar could be made compulsory to be staged in all the Deaneries/Parishes of our Archdiocese. The renewal in the life of St Francis Xavier depicted, so well in this operetta, will surely help to bring about, if not total, at least some renewal and fill the audience with grace to walk together in synodality. Congrats also to the Dean of Benaulim, Rev Fr Ligorinho D’Costa along with his Assistant Fr Clifford Fernandes, organised it so well to cater to almost 3,500 people.
Tony Savio Fernandes,
by email
Let garbage collection be history
Apropos to the report published under Citizen Herald: ‘Garbage collection point next to Mangor bus stop is an eyesore’ by Citizen Adelmo Fernandes (Herald, 9 December) fine garbage litterers and double the fine for a repeated offence, install electric incineration, garbage boxes and ensure that municipal garbage workers regularly clear away garbage daily without fail.
Make attendance mandatory for the sanitation workers to fill their start and finish timing with their signature in registers, have biometric attendance system and immediately initiate hygiene steps to make cleanliness a reality and not a dream.
Peter Castellino, Mumbai
Heart attacks in
young people
The death of a young dentist from Vasco has shocked many in the port town. The 39-year-old dentist and fitness enthusiast reportedly passed away after taking part in a 32-km marathon in Mormugao taluka on Sunday.
The sudden death is more surprising because the doctor was known for his dedication to fitness and had participated in numerous cycling events and marathons earning admiration from many in Vasco.
While the exact cause of the death is not known, it must be said that post the COVID-19 pandemic several young people have inexplicably lost their lives due to heart attacks. Are the sudden deaths of young people from heart attacks due to the effects of COVID-19 vaccines?
To date, the systems in place to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines have identified inflammation of the heart muscles as serious types of adverse events. However, there is no definitive evidence proving a direct link between incidents of heart attacks and COVID-19 vaccines.
Several factors contribute to the increasing incidence of heart attacks in young individuals. A more sedentary way of living, dietary changes, and increased stress levels, play a significant role.
Additionally, genetic factors, family history, and the early onset of conditions like diabetes and hypertension are major contributors. There have even been deaths due to heart attacks reported in the gyms when the victim was exercising or on completion of the routine. Probably too much physical stress can precipitate a heart attack.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Poor condition of
govt quarters
Residents of government quarters in Goa are in poor conditions due to proper maintenance. It has become difficult to live in these quarters due to fall of ceilings, dripping due to rain, etc.
Though deduction of House Rent Allowance (HRA) and annual maintenance fees as per the 7th Pay Commission, the government quarters are maintained poorly by the PWD. Residents says that even complaint has been reported, do not turn up to inspect the houses. However, the government and the nodal agencies of these quarters have failed to check whether the occupants of these quarters have any problems or not. Even the new allottees have to wait for long months or even year to get it repaired.
The government should have maintained these quarters. There should be some explanation for not doing it. Many of the quarters leak when it rains heavily. Thick vegetation has grown in several areas at some quarters.
The PWD are giving repair and renovation work to contractors without work orders and they carryout substandard work according to their whims and fancies. Many times, there’s neither sanction order nor work order.
K G Vilop, Chorao
