Is migration to Europe difficult for Goans?
Goans were provided an avenue for obtaining relatively high paying jobs in the absence of lucrative employment in Goa, by applying for Portuguese passports thus allowing them employment opportunities in the UK in particular. However, even this route to the UK has dried up as they have now stopped allowing Portuguese passport holders to migrate there following Brexit. Also it has been observed now that the Portuguese consulate in Goa does not entertain applications for appointments to obtain the Bilhete de Identidade or the now electronic version Cartăo de Cidadăo, although BI can be obtained in the Conservatoria dos Registos Centrais in Portugal. But this entails going to Lisbon by obtaining a Visa which would not be required if you had a BI, since by virtue of merely registering your birth or having the Assento de Nascimento which is a prerequisite of obtaining a BI would not allow entry into Portugal which is a European Union state.
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Those who would now seek to migrate to Ireland, Scotland and Wales as they are English speaking countries as an alternative to the UK are affected. It should be stressed here that a few lakh Goans in the UK send their hard earned money to banks in Goa, thus boosting the economy of Goa, as also the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) route is benefitting those who may choose to make Goa their permanent or temporary abode. It should also be borne in mind that surrendering of Indian passports as a requisite for obtaining Portuguese nationality is diluting the strength of the Goan electorate thus leading to alteration of the composition of the elected representatives to the Goan political scene. Probably, a way for OCI holders wishing to settle in Goa could be found
based on domicile to re-register them in the electoral rolls thus providing them the right to vote since they are of Goan origin.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Right action taken against viral video
A type of hype has got created by this unconventional (misguiding ) comedy video, created by an Instagram influencer, who visited Goa. Evidently, Instagram too makes it amply clear that the contents should be as per their set community guidelines. Moreover, the content should not have anything objectionable/ harmful pertaining to any particular community.
However, the rich heritage of Goa can be seen in its beautiful churches/beaches/architecture/festivals etc. But unfortunately for some tourists, it’s just a liquor hub as portrayed partly in the unconventional video. It also depicts Goa in a very negative perspective. Anything goes in the name of content! Cheap comedy by hurting the sentiments of Goan people by making fun of religious places and certain tourist place like ‘Chapora-Fort’.
Infact, it’s a great move from the Goa government to take immediate action on the said influencer who is spreading such type of misinformation pertaining to Goa. In addition, it can also be considered as a benchmark for others who visit Goa in the near future.
Eventually, tourists are warmly welcomed to Goa, a land full of enjoyment, nevertheless they should not forget to respect it.
Enjoy! Goa sabke liye hai!
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
Zero tolerance towards defaming Goa needed
A video of an alleged girl influencer on social media who paints a picture that Goa means alcohol and bikinis went viral. After that, there were angry reactions from people belonging to all walks of life regarding this video. She made some weird comments like only alcohol is available at Zomato in Goa, fine is charged for drinking tea and only bikinis are available when shopping for clothes. Vasco MLA Krishna Daji Salkar demanded, in the legislative assembly. that action should be taken against those defaming Goa in this manner. Salkar also said that tourists coming to the state are welcome, but the account of the defamatory person should be blocked.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reportedly informed the Assembly that Goa police will take action against Instagram users defaming the state. Meanwhile, after the video faced a lot of public outcry, the young woman has finally apologized to Goa and Goans adding that it was not her intention to defame Goa. But what was shocking was her statement that she made some comedy videos about beaches, churches, etc. These are not comedy videos but defamatory videos. No one should be allowed to make below-the-belt comments on Goa on social media. Despite the apology the culprit should not be allowed to get away lightly. Only an exemplary punishment will prevent others from making such comments which hurt the sentiments of Goans.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Huge pendency in court cases
The issue of pendency in courts at various levels has once again hogged the limelight. More than 4 crore cases are waiting to be disposed of in India’s lower courts, and the number stands at 59 lakh at High Courts. Lack of adequate infrastructure, paucity of funds, shortage of manpower, procedural delays, lackadaisical attitude of the government, and the government versus judiciary confrontation have overburdened Indian courts. It is as if the government has intentionally ignored the judiciary though an equally diffident judiciary is loathe to reach out to the government. The proposal of the Law Commission of India to increase the judges’ strength five-fold has been lying in cold storage.
While the Law Commission has mooted 50 judges per million population, the country has a dismal 15 judges per million. As former Chief Justice NV Ramana had pointed out, a trial court judge in India handles as many as 1000 cases a day—a disturbing number. Some solutions put forward from time-to-time, apart from augmenting the strength of judges, are increasing the age of superannuation of judges, asking former high court judges to come out of their retirement, restricting the judges’ vacations, morning and evening courts and so on. However, all these will come to naught if there is lack of transparency, accountability and mutual trust in the dealings between the judiciary and the government.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
India reigns supreme over Windies
India proved that the West Indies’ triumph in the second ODI was a flash in the pan. The visitors scored a massive 351/5 and dismissed the hosts for only 151 in the third ODI at Tarouba. Ishan Kishan (77), Shubman Gill (85), Sanju Samson (51) and Hardik Pandya (70 n o) thrashed the Calypso attack. Rookie pacer Mukesh Kumar (3/30) and trundler Shardul Thakur (4/37) shone with the ball. India now has 13 consecutive ODI series wins against the West Indies.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
