Pranab – a doyen of Indian politics
The passing away of former President Pranab Mukherjee is a huge loss to Indian politics. A multiple times MP, as well as Union Minister, Mukherjee’s contribution towards nation building is something that will never be forgotten. He also contributed extensively towards his home State of West Bengal. His excellent knowledge of Parliamentary matters is something that very few present-day politicians can match. India has truly lost a doyen of Indian Politics.
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Anish Esteves,
Mumbai
Fare thee well, Mr President
Few have served the country for 43 years as Pranab Mukherjee did, first as a teacher, then as a minister and last but not least as a president. By virtue of his long stint in Parliament he was the go-to man on parliamentary conduct, procedure and decorum. He loved to debate irrespective of whether he adorned the treasury benches or the opposition ones. Pranabda started off as the Commerce Minister in Indira’s government but went on to offer yeoman service to the nation as the minister for defence, external affairs and later as deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission under four different prime ministers during the Congress regime. With the UPA dispensation he initiated critical reforms, was an able administrator and the architect of consensus on vexatious national issues. He was widely admired for his wit and erudition and had friends across the whole political spectrum.
Pranabda opened up the doors of Rashtrapati Bhawan and turned it into a crucible of democracy often inviting laureates, students, scientists and innovators, offering them residencies to further the cause of science, liberal arts and consequently national progress. He was a rare public figure who managed to defy the vicissitudes of politics and fickleness of personal equations to rise to the highest constitutional post in the land. A giant amongst pygmies, a visionary and scholar Pranab Mukherjee was truly a ‘Bharat Ratn’ .You shall be sorely missed, Sir.
Vinay Dwivedi,
Benaulim
Much ado about nothing
It is a great relief that the logjam between the bench and the bar culminated in an anticlimax, where lawyer Prashant Bhushan tweeted that CJI was riding a Rs 50 lakh bike, ended up in an exemplary fine of Re 1 in lieu of three months imprisonment or three years debarment from practice. Bhushan still has the constitutional right to a review.
It is pertinent to note that 1500 lawyers and jurists supported Bhushan, including former attorney general Soli Sorabji and the present attorney general K K Venugopal who played a crucial role, when finally given an opportunity to speak he stated that Bhushan, despite being convicted should not be punished and should be let off with a warning, either way it would be a moral victory for Bhushan.
Shedding light on an unprecedented press conference of four senior most judges of the SC in a 7-page letter stated that cases were being allocated arbitrarily to selected benches, the case in point being judge Loya’s suspicious death. Loya was the CBI judge probing the encounter case of Sohrabuddin which could link to Amit Shah. Jurists have opined the SC cannot function like a cloistered institution and the expression of bona fide analyses and criticism is important in a democracy. Contempt of court law has been abolished in England, why should this archaic, colonial legislation continue in India?
Agnelo Furtado,
Chinchinim
World Coconut Day
World Coconut Day is observed on September 2 to create awareness about the importance of the coconut across the world. Coconut is India is referred to as ‘kalpavriksha’, which means a tree which will fulfil all the necessities of life and is regarded as a holy tree. There is a lot of significance in Hinduism of coconut and the coconut tree in rituals and ceremonies. In other countries, it is also called as the ‘tree of a thousand uses’ or ‘Tree of life’.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Only 24-hour health facility acceptable in Ribandar
In August 2017, amongst other assurances, the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar while campaigning for votes, had promised the residents of Ribandar that he would ensure that within three months medical services and health facilities would be restored at the old Goa Medical College Hospital in Ribandar.
Three years later we are told that what has been approved is a day health dispensary. This is unacceptable. We need a 24-hour well equipped at least 10-bedded medical facility. Besides catering to the health emergencies of densely-populated Ribandar it would benefit the residents of neighbouring Old Goa, Divar, Chorao and Chimbel. The cosmetic facility proposed as a gesture to pacify the residents of Ribandar, for yet another failed promise will benefit no one and will only be a waste of public funds.
Some years ago, amidst much fanfare, a very ill-equipped health post was inaugurated at the vacant government primary school, which did not last long. Ironically, it was inaugurated without even having a thermometer in place.
If a state-of-the-art well-equipped medical facility easily accessible and available 24 hours is not delivered urgently at Ribandar, albeit three years late, then the government better make available several state-of-the-art thermometers to gauge the temperature of the residents who yet again will be upset, frustrated, cheated with another broken false promise by a government that cares more for its electoral well-being than the health and well-being of its people.
The destructive pandemic which is escalating by the day proves that there is no greater need and priority than to provide excellent medical facilities easily accessible and available to the people. The people of Ribandar will not allow themselves to be cheated thus time around.
Aires Rodrigues,
Ribandar
Tourism revival post pandemic
Unlike many of history’s great tragedies, the coronavirus pandemic never stunned us with one catastrophic event. Instead, the problem quietly snaked its way around the world, devastating millions as it grew into a global health crisis. Our realities shifted slowly at first, and before we knew it, the coronavirus took over completely.
As we closed borders, cancelled events and self-quarantined at home on a mass scale, the travel industry, as well as most other sectors, began to nosedive. The collective effort to save lives meant economic catastrophe for an industry that profits from people leaving their houses.
The wound inflicted by the pandemic on the travel industry is deep, and it hasn’t stopped bleeding yet. Tourism is considered the backbone of Goa’s economy. The State attracts a large number of domestic and foreign travellers. Tourism has been the hardest hit sector due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the globe. Goa, which majorly depends on tourism, has been feeling the effect.
However, cruise companies are confident of a post pandemic revival. To revitalise this industry, Goa can envision a way to change its reputation and potentially rebrand itself. For Goa’s tourism sector, there is an essential need to refocus resources.
Farha Sayed, Benaulim/
Mumbai
