Shooting the messenger
The speaker suspended all seven Goa Opposition MLAs for two days, then to one day for disallowing their notice to discuss the grave Manipur issue that the Supreme Court labeled as horrendous, systemic and unprecedented violence. On the other hand they had quickly passed a resolution against the BBC documentary on the Gujarat riots! Our CM and even PM in 2019 declared India as ODF free. Government is in a great hurry to make tall claims and anyone who publishes statistics today to debunk many claims is punished if they cannot be reined in!
The statistics of the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021) on ODF and health and family welfare shows India is not really doing so well on these fronts! It is reported that the director K S James who was asked to resigned, refused as he had done nothing wrong and then suspended. Ordinances are bulldozed through Parliament. It is the Opposition’s job to question the government of the day to prevent excesses and hold it accountable! Today’s confrontational attitude greatly weakens the foundation of democracy.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Revolutionising Goa’s agriculture
Congratulations to the three green musketeers Kenneth Lopes, Neville Lewis and Stanley, three good friends who have given up their lucrative jobs to pursue their passion for agriculture under the able guidance of their mentor and icon Fr George Quadros of Don Bosco Institute, popularly known as the ‘Paddy man of Goa’ pioneer in mechanized farming and use of drones in fertilizing fields and who is much admired by people of Goa. Kenneth an aircraft engineer, Neville a geologist, Stanley a telecom professional put their hard earned money to establish ‘Goencho Xetkar’ acquired tractors, transplanters, harvesters and drone to provide agricultural services from the rice plains to the rice plate of Goan homes. Fields which were fallow for more than three decades have been made green making mission impossible, possible.
Thanks to O Heraldo for giving front page coverage in their Sunday edition dated July 30, 2023. This will open the eyes of many youth and encourage them to take to agriculture. Wish them all the success.
Agnelo Furtado, Chinchinim
Waiting for Mann ki Baat on Manipur!
The shame for PM Narendra Modi and the BJP government continues, with the Manipur crisis approaching close to 100 days. This has resulted in some 155 deaths and multiple horrendous incidents which are shaming India’s name across the world. You can no longer hide behind the statement that it is India’s internal matter as EAM Jaishankar is wont to repeat at the drop of a hat when the country is criticised abroad. The attempts to deflect the accusations of crimes against women in Manipur to those in West Bengal, Rajasthan and other non-BJP ruled States is not going to hold water since UP and MP hold the highest honours, when it comes to treating women, as objects of denigration, enjoyment and lust. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has correctly said that crimes against women in other States does not justify the incidents in Manipur. Women in independent India in the 21st century need to be respected and protected. Apart from the crimes against women the complicated tribal equations needs to be untangled if a lasting peace is to be reached in Manipur. Modi and his team will be stretched to the fullest to evolve an amicable settlement and the nation is watching anxiously for this solution to emerge. But the diffidence and indecision that Modi is showing on the Manipur issue is an insult to Indian Democracy. After espousing the virtues of democracy in India and the world, Modi is falling far short on these values when it comes to dealing with Manipur. The country, Mr Modi, is waiting with bated breath for your Mann ki Baat on Manipur!
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Illegal settlements – a contempt of court
There are clear court orders on the clearance of some illegal settlements in clear violation of the law! And the Goa Government has the audacity to ignore these court orders, and further expand the illegalities so they. the respective corrupt/power hungry MLAs can use them to manipulate voting during elections and keep on coming to power. Is this all not contempt of court?
What will it take to get justice in a reasonable time and severely punish the respective politicians?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva.
Sins of today’s advertising
Most of the commercials appearing on television are absurd, nauseating and intolerable. The purpose of advertising is to create awareness of the advertised product and provide information that will assist the consumer to make informed purchase decisions. However, TV advertisements have been accused of an array of sins, ranging from an economic waste to purveying of harmful products, from sexism to deceit and manipulation, from triviality to intellectual and moral pollution.
An ethical problem in the contemporary business environment is deceptive advertising, which misleads consumers. For building effective defence against misleading ads, not only tighter controls on the media are required, but also there is a need to educate and develop more critical judgment among media consumers. Misleading and false advertisements are not only illegal, but they distort competition and consumer choice as well. Such delusive advertisements violate several basic rights of consumers —the right to information, the right to choice, and the right to be protected against unsafe goods and services. People must make the effort to step back and judge the value of TV advertisements, and master the skills required to separate spin from substance.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Pawar will garner sympathy votes in 2024
The BJP should not have split the NCP and roped in Ajit Pawar when they had a government in place after a split in Shiv Sena. Ajit Pawar has corruption related cases against him. This will run contrary to the BJP’s attempt to create a narrative against the NCP’s dynasty politics. It will also tarnish the BJP’s image in Maharashtra ahead of the general elections 2024.
It reflects very badly on BJP, if it’s leaders go on breaking various political parties. There are already talks of the BJP breaking the JD (U) and RJD making rounds in media channels. Have people of the country elected the BJP to break other political parties?
The NCP led by Sharad Pawar cannot be taken lightly as he is a mass leader and not manager of the party. Hence he may spring surprises even if the BJP thinks that Pawar is sliding downhill as there is a possibility of sympathy wave favouring Sharad Pawar. Only the as the elections near, will give a clear picture of people’s wave emerge.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
