Entry fee at
Monte Chapel
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Taking strong objection to the notification imposing Rs. 50 as entry fee to Our Lady of Monte chapel atop the hill at Old Goa, the Save Goa Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) has reportedly demanded that the Director of Archaeology withdraw the same immediately.
It may be recalled that in a major move the state government had announced the introduction of entry fee at 11 state protected monuments that includes temples, churches and forts. It must be said that imposing Rs. 50 as entry fee to Our Lady Monte chapel will set a wrong precedent. It is pertinent to note that it is an active, functioning chapel with prayer services and even nuptials being held here.
Mass is being held on the 8th of every month. The question that arises is whether those entering the chapel to attend mass will have to pay an entry fee. This will be something that is unprecedented in Goa.
If only tourists will have to pay the entry fee does it mean the faithful visiting the chapel for mass will have to carry identification cards like the Aadhar card, etc.? This will hinder devotees from attending the Eucharistic Celebrations being held here. It is learnt that a gate has been put up at the entry point of the chapel. Has the church authorities been taken into confidence while imposing the entry fee and putting up the gate? Is the chapel the property of the government or the Church in Goa?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Restore Akashvanni’s
earlier programs
Much water has been passed under the Mandovi bridge since Akashvanni, Panaji had abruptly merged the programmes from Madei Channel and FM channel for almost 2 years now. And what is absurd is both the channels are broadcasting same programmes simultaneously! And most of the time it is news, news and news!
In this connection, the listeners has voiced their grievances through ‘Letters to the Editors’ in various newspapers, personally met the concerned officers at Panaji, made personal calls etc but still the Akashvanni are reluctant to listen to the public. Akashvanni should remember that we are living in a democracy and not under dictatorship! It is people’s Radio.
Since Akashvanni has 2 channels, they can safely broadcast the news bulletins, discussions and other similar programs on Madei Channel and exclusive keep FM Channel to broadcast requests programs in Konkani, Marathi, English besides songs and Tiarts and plays on FM Radio like earlier.
Needless to say that music runs in the blood of Goans and we want some leisure time to unwind us of the daily hectic schedule.
We are missing, all our melodious RJs like Oreena, Sachin, Welma, Monica, Alphie, Elroy, DC, Shuby, Sachin, Elias, Norman, Silroy etc. including the Jazz Master Jaffers.
So it is our humble request to Akashvanni to restore all our earlier programs on FM Channel. Please.
Jerry Fernandes, Vanxim
Transparency needed
in panchayats
The gram sabha is one of the most important body in the Panchayati Raj system and village development.
Most recently, one can witness unruly scenes in gram sabhas in many villages. This happens when villagers are not happy with decisions solely taken by the panchayat without their consent. It has to be also noted that some panchayats keep on rotating sarpanchas and deputies every few months. Due to this, a blame-game is often played as the present sarpanch will blame the previous one for any decision taken and so on.
Sarpanchas and their deputies should take villagers into confidence before passing any project in the village. It is time to improve governance, transparency, and accountability in our Panchayats, which will benefit the village and the villagers.
Willie Severes, Majorda
Sorry state of
govt buses
Road transport is a sector that is allowed to rot by some governments. Though Railways has spread its tentacles to several parts of India, it is yet to penetrate significant portion of rural India as a result of which commuters from villages plying to towns and cities for work have to depend on buses—–mostly government buses.
The trouble starts there because the condition of state run buses in some areas, especially in rural India, is deplorable to say the least. Torn seats, broken windows, non functional horns, absent doors and door latches, and ineffective brakes are common sights for a regular traveler. And the list is endless. People suffer in silence and so do drivers and conductors.
Grievances of employees regarding the working conditions, are thrown into the dustbin. But for the social media, that has revolutionised public safety, many ills affecting the transport sectors would have remained veiled. Governments have to instill people’s confidence in the state run buses by making them portable and comfortable.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Much needed
respite in Gaza
After 15 months of relentless fighting, Israel and Hamas have finally reached a tentative ceasefire and hostage release agreement, brokered by Qatar and the US. It appears that US President-elect Donald Trump’s statement ‘hell breaking loose threat before the inauguration day’ led to a ceasefire in Gaza. While the ceasefire signals a potential pause in the violence that has ravaged Gaza, it remains a fragile and uncertain step toward lasting peace. Since the war broke out on October 7, 2023, more than 46,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian enclave in an Israeli war of retribution. Israel too lost many people in the Hamas attacks and hundreds were taken hostage.
India has joined other countries in welcoming the ceasefire deal, which remains fragile, and the world community must do more to hold both Hamas leaders and Netanyahu responsible for implementing this understanding without further delay. Any agreement that does not address the status of Palestinian land is unlikely to hold.
The current ceasefire is a small but critical step in halting the violence. International aid would play a critical role in alleviating the humanitarian crisis, but long-term recovery would require substantial investment, political stability and lasting peace.
Gregory Fernandes,
Mumbai
