Modi pens songs while Manipur burns
Narendra Modi has invited Amitabh Bachchan to visit the Rann of Kutch festival and also Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s massive statue in Gujarat. This should mean that Modi understands the significance of invitations. A few days back the MPs from Manipur invited Modi to visit the State to put an end to the law and order problem there that has been going on for almost 6 months now. One hopes that Modi will heed this invitation at least now after having ignored Manipur for so long and apply himself to the problem and find a solution.
Why is it that he does not visit Manipur? Is it because he knows that he cannot resolve the issue and that the agitators there will not heed his advice? Or is it that he is too busy composing songs for the garbas in the upcoming Navaratri festival? This effort by Modi has shades of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burnt in ancient times. Only here Modi is busy writing songs while Manipur continues to burn. What a tragedy!
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St. Cruz
Restore Margao-M’luru train service
The Margao-M’luru train service on Konkan route has been discontinued causing great hardship and inconvenience to the commuters especially those visiting religious places such as Gokarn, Murdeshwar etc. One has to depend on long distance trains invariably off the schedule and travel standing which is tedious, uncomfortable for seniors and ladies. Time is lost in waiting for the train at stations then traveling in crowded bogies making the journey totally tiresome.
The plight of those going to other places on the route can be imagined. The train was convenient to one and all and the journey could be performed comfortably with family, children, friends and elders. It was also convenient for sick persons going for treatment. It is hoped the Railway authorities realize the plight of commuters and restore the local trains connecting Margao and Mangalore immediately without giving chance for unrest.
B V S Priokar, Margao
Double the funds for food to the poor
This refers to Shanti Maria Fonseca’s article, “Hunger haunts humanity on World Food Day”
(O Heraldo, October 16, 2023). India has slid into a horrific 111th position among 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2023. India is behind China (at the top bracket that includes 20 countries), Sri Lanka (60), Nepal (69), Myanmar (72), Bangladesh (81) and Pakistan (102) among our neighbours. The report says that the child wasting rate of India is 18.7 per cent, which is the highest on the global level.
The Government of India should allocate more than double of the existing funds for the successful implementation of both breakfast and midday meal as per the recommendation of the new National Educational Policy (NEP) in all government and aided schools throughout the country.
Sujit De, Kolkata
Stop vandalising newly hot-mixed roads
The entire CHOGM road stretch in Porvorim (starting from O’Coqueiro junction up to the Calangute church) was successfully hot-mixed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation after many years just one a half years ago and the former Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaokar (who had personally pursued this matter at that time) had even said that the same road after its repairs would be of the best quality and nothing will happen to it for the next 15 years.
Unfortunately, what is the condition of this same hot-mixed road, especially starting from Porvorim O’Coqueiro junction and up-to the Sangolda Lightning Club area today? Horrible. As the same has been fully vandalised by the Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Limited (SIDCGL) at the behest of the government in the name of carrying out laying sewerage pipeline and due to which most motorists are finding it very difficult to navigate through this particular road stretch whilst using it almost every day.
Hey, if the government had plans of conducting such a mindless/evil exercise in mind then why it had wasted crores of rupees in the first place to hotmix the same chogm road stretch unnecessarily. Hope better sense prevail….
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
New recruits must not be sent to the border
On October 11, a recently inducted Agniveer died of self-inflicted gunshot injury along the Line of Control in the Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a sad loss for his family and the country. It is surprising that new recruits – whether Agniveer or non-Agniveer – are sent to forward posts soon after their training is over. The youngsters may be full of pep and energy and perhaps even daring but with hardly any or nil experience, they may not be unable to take quick decisions in difficult situations.
No doubt the armed forces train them well, but it is a different matter when the recruits face real-life circumstances. The posting of recruits could be commensurate with age and proficiency by initially posting them in sensitive places within the country prior to sending them to the borders where the stakes are high. This could encourage more youngsters to join the armed forces else they and/or their families are apprehensive that after the training period they would be sent off to ‘dangerous’ forward posts.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Passage for India to Europe
The Hala port in Israel will work wonders for India’s economy and is a real and potential game changer as it will give India access to more markets for India’s products and services in the international market. Where there is a will there is a way. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor can be seen as India’s growing clout in geopolitical context. The Haifa Port could well become the flagship project serving as India’s gateway to Europe. The infrastructure and atmosphere in Haifa is tailor made to take India to newer heights of International leadership as India stands to gain economically and politically.
Israel is a country that genuinely wants to maintain friendship with India. Both nations face common challenges from their immediate neighbours although Israel is very small country in terms of population. The whole country is like one of the Northeast states approximately in terms of population, yet we have to learn so much from Israel. The scope for trade and defence- related opportunities between India and Israel are immense.
I had read in one of magazines that Israel didn’t allow China, or its tycoons, to run the Haifa Port. India should forever be indebted to Israel and return the favour in the days to come, may be in kind, by sending Indian army or ammunition if required and asked by Israel to support their cause. I am sure our government will support Israel.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
We need to be a sporting country
It’s a shame that India’s cricket fans displayed their ugly colours (and Indian values??) booing the Pakistani cricket team at Ahmedabad. There hasn’t been, to the best of my knowledge) a response from either the BCCI or the sports ministry trying to restrain them. India and Pakistan may have their political differences but cricket lovers there and here in India enjoy the game for what it is. Sports is all about enjoying the game, not politicising it as seems the case in the recent India win.
Dedicating a win to Gaza also enhances India’s speech for liberty. Protesting against this peaceful gesture jeopardises it. No one is taking up for Hamas and its terror activities but recognising free speech is paramount. India’s youngsters have shone in the recent Asian Games, and we cheered them on. One wonders how many fans of the game actually know and understand the Gaza Hamas issue. Can we not recognise a neighbouring nation’s dignity and honour whether it loses or wins? One wonders what the ill-informed fans would have done if Pakistan lost the match.
Brian de Souza, Margao
