Hats off to the Naik and Dicholkar families
It was heartening to read that Ms Usha Naik, who had lost her husband in 2021, performed the religious rituals at the wedding of her daughter. She broke the accepted norms that widows are not allowed to participate in weddings and other rituals. This transpired largely due to her daughter Dr Gautami who insisted that her mother perform the duties of her father during the wedding.
And in this, she was supported by her paternal grandmother and brother and most importantly by the groom, Dr Prathamesh Dicholkar and his family. Interestingly the wedding was conducted by two lady priests from Mumbai. Congratulations to all of them for setting an example to everyone on this ‘atypical’ wedding ceremony! Now that a taboo that widows cannot out carry out wedding rites has been broken, the next should be that the bride’s mother do the ‘kanyadaan’ (giving away of the bride) in the presence of the father.
After all mothers have equal if not more rights over their daughters, and in most homes they are like friends and share lots of secrets and emotions, before and after the girl gets married.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
By flexing muscles, Iran is hurting itself
Reference to editorial ‘Iran is the new flashpoint’ (January 22), war escalation is on the rise in the Mideast and seems to be inching towards a disaster. After the Israel-Hamas war, the conflict has broadened and now it’s Iran versus the rest in the region. Iran’s proxies are leading from the front and have reportedly flown drones and missiles over specified targets. Over the last few days, it launched direct attacks inside its friendly countries like Syria, Iraq and Pakistan. Iran strikes also come at a time when the world’s attention is largely focused on Israel and its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has put Iran’s adversary in a precarious position. The free play of non-state actors in Sunni and Shia mercenaries, incited on by one side or the other has worsened the situation so much that an international war like situation is developing. In the interest of reducing tension and bringing peace in the region, Iran should not dare to attack Israel directly which will endanger its own security and interest.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Making our roads inclusive
It is learnt that the upcoming edition of ‘NoMoZo’ to be held on Porvorim service road on January 28 will have a diverse array of activities. This is the fifth edition of the event being held here and will showcase and encourage various activities, including fitness, sports, culture, heritage, local art and crafts aiming to unite individuals across all age groups. NoMoZo literally means ‘non-motorable zone’.
The idea behind NoMoZo is to reduce motor-vehicle pollution in a place by closing the road to allow children, adults and senior citizens to have activities there.
This event is not just for leisure activities but is also an opportunity for the community to come together. In this present age when roads are congested with traffic, having fewer cars on the road will certainly benefit our towns and villages.
Children will be able to spend their day at NoMoZo fruitfully by learning something new and socializing with other kids in their age group. Senior citizens, who detest traffic and sometimes fear crossing heavily motorized roads, will get an opportunity to relax in a non-polluted environment, even if that means for a day.
It would be in the fitness of things to hold such events in other cities across the state annually. Imagine being able to walk on the roads without the fear of being hit by a speeding vehicle, even if it is only for one day.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Don’t fall for catchy slogans, false promises
With elections around the corner once again, we voters are being wooed by the same politicians who have let us down time and again. They use our votes as a stepping stone into the corridors of power, where they then begin to enrich themselves. Too many people still fall for the usual catchy slogans and false promises, only to bemoan the performance of these leaders later on. This cycle repeats itself every five years or so. Let us be careful and cautious at this critical moment and use our votes prudently, filling parliament with pro-people representatives who will aim to resolve the problems we face.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Goan culture, identity on verge of being wiped out
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai seem to be at the forefront of blaming the Portuguese for their attempts to decimate Goa’s original traditions, culture and language — Konkani.
No doubt the Portuguese colonial rulers were guilty to a significant extent on the same but is it also not true, that despite the Portuguese rule of 450 years; as of 1961 Goa’s ethnic culture and language was not completely eradicated and actually survived.
Compare the latter with years post Liberation, where due to uncontrolled influx of people (along with their respective culture/languages) from outside Goa fuelled by corruption, greed of politicians and real estate lobby!
Goa’s culture, identity and language is in the verge of being wiped out within 100 years of Liberation! So what the Portuguese could not wipe out in 450 years of rule, post Liberation Goan original traditions, culture and Language will be wiped out in much less then half the time!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Consider stalwarts for Padma awards
This refers to the Padma awards which are announced on the eve of January 26 every year. ‘Exceptional’ and ‘distinguished’ are the words used while decorating men and women with these awards.
Indeed, civilians with memorable service to the country and mankind have found themselves honoured with the prestigious awards.
It is also true that, of late, some hidden gems are discovered and honoured but such cases are only few and far between. It may be recalled that there were demands in the past that the Padma awards be scrapped all together.
The Padma selection committee is headed by the Cabinet secretary and consists of Home Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the President and persons of ‘eminence’ whose number is not specified.
For the 2023 awards, there were 15 such members besides the bureaucrats. Though the NDA government scrapped the system of ‘nomination by ministers’, grumblings and rumblings remain because its replacement ‘any citizen’ meant anyone can propose anybody. Many stalwarts, with self-respect, have therefore not found themselves in the list, and some have rejected the awards.
It would be in the fitness of things if the selection committee goes about the task without prejudice or favour.
Moreover, once stipulated to be in the vicinity of 50 or so, now the total number of awards are fixed at ‘not more than 120’.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
