Restore popular English programmes on FM
I have been listening and writing to FM Radio frequency 105.40 programmes since its inception, mostly the English request shows starting from 8 pm till 11 pm. But recently from 1st October, 2023 after merging programmes from the Medium Waves, our life has been made miserable by re-organizing the timing of the programmes and our English request show has been totally abandoned. I as well as all other ardent fans were totally addicted to the request show requesting songs as well as making calls during the Dial-in hour. I have been missing all the entertainment as well as the Golden Oldies which made us relax after a hectic day’s work. Moreover Christmas is fast approaching and we will be missing the Carols and all the fun.
I kindly request the Station Director as well as the Information and Broadcasting Minister to restore our English Programmes as soon as possible and give relief to all the FM programme lovers all over Goa and abroad.
Anthony Fernandes, Siolim
Modern technology fraught with risks
This has reference to the report ‘Birth certificate to be sole proof of birth……..’ (O Heraldo November 23, 2023).
One wonders how far should the people of this country go to prove the ‘Fact of his Birth’ or to prove to the pension authorities that he is still alive.
When the Aadhar card was introduced it was touted to be the one single authentic identity card, what with all those biometrics, etc. It should have ideally replaced all other identity cards like voter cards etc. Now, the very basis of the Aadhar card is in question, with the Ministry of External Affairs deciding not to accept Aadhar card as proof of age while applying for passports; rather, only Birth certificates would be acceptable.
The authorities may have a point here, citing the tampering with the date of birth on Aadhar cards. Modern technology is indeed fraught with grave risks, so that brings us back to the question, how far should the people of this country go to prove the ‘Fact of his Birth’ or to prove to the pension authorities that he is still alive?
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Check if fares by meters are higher than those charge by taxi drivers
The article about digital taxi metres (O Heraldo 22/11/2023) gave an insight about their (non)usage. After years of dilly-dallying, excuses (meters to be given free, metres are expensive, annual renewal charges, metres cannot be repaired in Goa as if these are components of spacecrafts, etc.), taxi strike, pleading and subsidy for installing the metres by the government and finally the courts interceded and meters were installed. Yet, the drivers are shy to use them under the pretext that the rates would be higher than what they charge! This is so considerate of them to charge the passengers less than the government rates.
To test the hypothesis if digital fares are higher or otherwise, officers from the Directorate of Transport, tourism department and representatives from the taxi union could ride in different taxis to some major places (airports, railway stations, tourist spots) from Panaji by using the metres and later compare the fares charged by the taxi drivers. This would help to settle once and for all the intriguing question of fares displayed by meters being higher than that charged by the kind drivers. If the drivers are right, then let them convert the metres to air fresheners for the benefit of the passengers. Or else, let the metres not be under wraps and towels and the passengers be taken for a jolly good ride.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Sell tender coconuts via horticulture outlets
Tender coconut vendors are seen by the roadside almost everywhere in the state. Tender coconut water, which has several health benefits, is very popular among road users who halt their vehicles to refresh themselves with the natural drink. The parking of vehicles along the highway by the consumers can pose hindrance to the smooth movement of vehicles.
These vendors, who are mostly non-Goan s, sell the tender coconuts in the cities as well by moving about with their hand-carts. Many of them even occupy open spaces to display the goods. But the biggest issue involving the sale of tender coconut is the waste it generates including shells and husk. With coconut waste reaching unimaginable proportions, it is learnt that the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has decided to ban sale of tender coconut in the city with immediate effect. This does not seem like a proper decision since people depend on these vendors to provide tender coconut water to their loved ones admitted in the hospitals as it has medicinal value.
What is desirable is a control on the sale of this much sought after natural drink. It would be in the fitness of things for the government to take over the sale of tender coconut across the state through the outlets of the Horticulture Department. This will also ensure uniformity in the price of this popular commodity.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Flaws with the anti-defection law
Goa Congress is accusing the BJP of appointing defectors to cabinet, demanding disqualification of MLA Aleixo Sequiera. The phenomenon of legislators defecting from one party to another has an interesting history in India. Defection also promotes horse-trading of legislators which clearly goes against the mandate of a democratic setup.
The anti-defection law was introduced by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1985 to end the malaise of the “Aaya aur Gaya” phenomenon in Indian politics. Irrespective of the stern provisions in the anti-defection law for disqualification, legislators have been circumventing it with impunity. The Legislators not adhering to party discipline is a political problem. The anti-defection law is clearly not working. People resign and get around the provisions of the Act.
This is destructive of democratic process. The burden falls on the common man, the voters who might have voted for a particular political party, then are dismayed to see their representative resign midway. The evil of political defections has become a source of national concern. If it is not stopped, our democracy’s core foundations and guiding values are likely to be threatened. Politics has become such a mess these days that loyalty has lost its values. People should vote for the person who can bring development and not just funds to own pockets.
K G Vilop, Chorao
