Govt should step in to solve music row
The recent verdict of the Bombay High Court at Goa which scrapped a State government circular that insulated music played at wedding celebrations and religious ceremonies from copyright claims could potentially disrupt and even silence Goa’s music scene right across from pubs, clubs, small party venues, traditional dance venues to wedding venues permanently.
Well, that’s because our local musicians, bands and DJs who normally belt out covers of popular songs at weddings, commercial parties, clubs, pubs and restaurants across the state are not big shot ‘bhatkaars’ or millionaires who are capable of paying additional fees for some non-Goan extortionists (people claiming of holding copyrights of music) but are simple people who are known for playing music solely to earn a little money and to support their own families in Goa.
I therefore personally feel that before some non-Goan extortionists start harassing our local musicians, bands and DJs under flimsy excuses and go to finish our music scene permanently, the Goa government should somehow step in and try to resolve the above matter at the very earliest.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
PM’s visit to Russia is debatable
The timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine, just six weeks after his controversial trip to Russia, is debatable. During his visit to Russia, Modi embraced President Vladimir Putin on the very day a missile struck a children’s hospital in Ukraine. Zelenskyy called the ‘Hug’ a “blow to peace efforts” and the US didn’t hold back either. Top US diplomat Donald Lu said that the “symbolism and timing” of the Moscow visit by Modi was disappointing, while National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned that Russia wouldn’t be a “reliable friend” to India. Now, Modi’s ‘hug’ has shifted to the Ukrainian President. But do two ‘hugs’ make a right? Now that Modi’s visit to Ukraine is over, the pertinent question is whether he delivered a subtle message to Moscow.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Need to root out evil from society
That was a very informative, appropriate editorial in the light of the recent rape and murder case in a Kolkata hospital. The editorial rightly highlights the efforts of personalities like Raja Rammohan Roy to reform society from within, in West Bengal through activist politics. Today Bengal may be in need of another Renaissance as the headline suggests, but it seems like the entire country is in need of drastic reforms. For too long have women and young children even nursery kids, been subjected to sexual assaults, molestation, harassment. Only certain cases like Nirbhaya in Mumbai and the R G Kar case in Kolkata get exposure in the media. There may definitely be many more cases in other states which could be going unreported. We need to root out this evil from society. Are we willing to do that?
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Test every case of high fever for dengue
It must be said that a lot of efforts are being put in by officials of the Health Department in order to stop the spread of dengue. However two deaths have occurred due to the diseases which has marred the efforts of the medical team which has reportedly been working round-the-clock to tackle the dengue threat.
A five-year-old boy in Rumdamol, Navelim and a 16-year-old college student from Khandola died of dengue within two months. As per the records, Goa logged 177 confirmed cases of dengue by the end of June with no fatality. Health officials have reportedly acknowledged that the dengue situation could get worse in the next two months, before the end of the monsoon. Community awareness on preventive measures plays an important role besides steps like fogging to kill the dengue spreading mosquitoes. The virus is spread through the bite of the female mosquito Aedes aegypti. It manifests as a flu-like illness, including symptoms such as high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, rash, and in some cases, hemorrhage.
It is learned that the dengue strategy in the state has been tweaked to focus more on early treatment which is the key to managing the disease. For this, it is prudent to treat every case of high fever as a suspected case of dengue. Infected individuals face low platelet count. Blood platelet count needs to be carried out for every patient reporting with high fever in order to rule out dengue.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Bridge will be a game changer for islanders
We are writing to express our heartfelt gratitude to our Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for announcing the long awaited bridge connecting Vanxim Island to Divar Island. This Infrastructure project is a game changer for the residents of Vanxim Island who have faced significant challenges in accessing the main land.
We would also like to extend special thanks to our MLA Rajesh Phaldessai, who has tirelessly raised this issue in the Assembly ensuring that the voices of his constituents are heard. His persistence has finally borne fruit and we are grateful for his dedication to our people.
This bridge will not only save the Government lakhs of rupees spent on ferry services but also improve the quality of life for the Island residents, no longer they will have to navigate two ferries to reach Panjim the journey that has driven some Islanders to migrate in search of easier access to amenities.
We urge the authorities to expedite the construction of the bridge ensuring its completion within the stipulated time period. This project is a testament to the power of effective representation and responsive Governance.
Simon Fernandes, Vanxim
N Goa panchayats must support Romi Konkani
Panchayat after Panchayat from South Goa have passed resolutions in support of Romi Konkani but most of the North Goa panchayats have not yet supported Konkani in Roman script.
It will be in the fitness of things if the North Goa Panchayats also pass resolutions in favour of Konkani in Roman script because history will judge if you support the Konkani language whether it is in Devanagari or Roman script.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
