Prayers for peace in a strife torn world
The Christmas season is a time for merriment and spreading of love and joy. The festive season is celebrated in observance of the birth of Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace. His birth was announced in the Old Testament: ‘For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). But unfortunately today’s world is in turmoil.
The war declared by Russia against Ukraine seems unending. In Gaza, air-raids by Israel are being carried out in civilian-occupied areas which has resulted in huge casualties of civilians, especially children. Back home in Manipur, atrocities are being carried out against a particular section of the society.
Heading into 2024, several countries across the globe continue to struggle with decades-long conflicts and economic turmoil. Over a decade of war in Syria has left the country on the brink of economic collapse. Conflict in neighboring Lebanon has further increased poverty. Currently, the crisis in Yemen is deepening as an eight-year conflict between armed groups and government forces remains unresolved. Over a year since the shift in power, Afghanistan remains in economic collapse. This Christmas season, let us pray for peace in the world, an end to conflicts and a healing touch for countries in turmoil.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
More to it than meets the eye
Just three days after a new Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was elected, it was suspended by the sports ministry with immediate effect for supposedly flouting provisions of the National Sports Code and appearing to be completely controlled by past office bearers (read Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment, assault and stalking). The government has for the present asked the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad hoc body to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI. The sarkar’s conciliatory moves towards agitating wrestlers follows the shock retirement of Olympic bronze medal winner Sakshi Malik and media coverage of Bajrang Punia leaving his Padma Shri award on a footpath near the PM’s house to protest against the sham elections. In a countermove, Sanjay Singh, the newly elected WFI head and a Brij Bhushan loyalist has said that he will seek the revocation of the suspension order. Also, BBS Singh hotfooted it to the BJP HQ and met JP Nadda, post which he magnanimously announced his retirement from the sport as he had to ‘concentrate’ on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. There is no altruistic motive behind the sports ministry’s decision to suspend the WFI, but it is a damage control measure which has everything to do with the Parliamentary polls in May 2024 and the Haryana elections later in October. It is crucial for the government to win UP (BB’s turf) and Haryana, where all the protesting wrestlers hail from, to maintain a stranglehold on the Hindi heartland. The government cannot afford to ruffle feathers in either of the two states, hence this suspension order. Make no mistake, this is realpolitik at work, there is no genuine concern for our Olympic medal-winning sportspersons.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
On Boxing Day, gifts were given to the poor
Boxing Day has nothing to do with boxing. The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants — a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.
Every year, Boxing Day is celebrated on the day after Christmas (December 26).
In most of the European and other countries, Boxing Day is a public holiday. On this day people enjoy giving gifts to the people who are in need – basically to the poor. Though the Boxing Day came into being inorder to give gifts to the poor, today it is primarily known as a shopping holiday.
Initially, Boxing Day originated in the United Kingdom. Presently, it is celebrated in many countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. Boxing Day is also concurrent with Saint Stephen’s Day, which is a Christian holiday. In many European countries such as Bulgaria, Catalonia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Scandinavia, 26 December or Boxing Day is celebrated as a second Christmas Day.
In most of the European countries, Boxing Day is primarily known as shopping day. On this day, people spend time in shopping for themselves as well as for other people who are in need. Shops, malls, and shopping complexes are full with many new arrivals on the occasion of Christmas and Boxing Day.
The tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need is in practice since old times. Enriching the old tradition, people on this day give gifts to the poor and help them to improve their lifestyle. The day promotes harmony and brotherhood among the people.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Chaos ruled both Houses of Parliament
Some worthwhile transactions were carried out and some bills were passed, but both houses were drowned in the din of protests and suspensions in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament. As it turned out, a slew of bills were passed in the absence of 146 members on the last day without a meaningful discussion. The smoke bomb incident dominated the fag end of the session; protests against the security breach and inability to secure the statements of both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on the floor of the House agitated the Opposition members so much that they had to face suspensions. The Opposition and the government were constantly at each other’s throats.
Opposition parties thought they had a golden opportunity to put the government on the mat but failed in their ‘mission’. The Opposition was not ready to let go of the government and the latter was loath to concede an inch. Indeed, the session began and ended ‘peacefully’ with the intervening chaos and confusion. Contentious issues that begged for constructive debate between the government and the Opposition were sidelined, and the nation was let down. Unsurprisingly, going by the past, the parliamentarians seem unfazed by what the tax-payers think of their behaviour.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Give names of places affected by Covid-19
Covid cases are gradually increasing in Goa. In Sunday edition of O Heraldo, it has been mentioned there are eight new cases of Covid-19, released by a daily bulletin by DHS.
Though this is the onset, people have to be alert. It would be advisable that the daily bulletin mentions the names of places which have been affected, so that citizens can be more cautious.
Aureo Cunha Gomes, Mapusa
