Freedom of expression
Recently a Bombay High Court judge said that not just government or the police but judicial power too should be restrained if exceeded and the judiciary is not above criticism. Judges need not necessarily agree with the pressures of the majority or the government’s point of view, it is the judge’s constitutional duty to guarantee free speech and remain neutral on volatile subjects. Voltaire famously said, “I may not agree with what you say but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.”
More than law, it is liberty that resonates with the common man, the liberty to think, act, speak, eat, dress, marry as he deems fit provided it does not harm others. There have been cases of judicial overreach by lower courts which generally go along with the government of the day in suppressing freedom of expression due to bad logic or poor application of mind, such faulty jurisprudence should be called out by civil society and the free press. Sometimes it is good to give the learned judges a taste of their own medicine i.e. ‘be you ever so high, the law is above you’. This would contribute to healthy ‘checks and balances’ in the judicial system.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Goa is protected by Goencho Saib
Subhash Velingkar has been contesting Goa elections but has not succeeded in winning even a single time. This amply proves that the people of Goa cherish the communal harmony prevailing over the centuries and will not allow anyone to disturb this peace. What do you do when your hunger for power is not sated and you languish in political wilderness?
You pursue your 15 minutes of fame by selecting a revered figure and start maligning him. Unfortunately, Velingkar should know that St Francis Xavier is revered by people of all faiths. Just like so many Christians and Muslims in Goa revere Sai Baba because these gentle souls were only involved in the upliftment of the poorest of the poor.
Anyway, I would like to thank Velingkar for increasing my faith and reverence to St Francis Xavier, who I say loud and clear was, is and will always be our Goencho Saib. We are absolutely under his protection.
Michael Silveira, Divar
Eid celebration in India
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, this does not necessarily correspond to the same day in the Gregorian calendar. The start of any lunar Hijri month differs depending on when the new moon is observed by local religious officials in a given region. The sighting of the moon determines the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, the date changes from one geographical place to the next.
For many Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time to express thankfulness to Allah for providing them with guidance and strength during Ramazan, the Islamic holy month of fasting to help them practice self control. It’s being celebrated on May 2 this year. Muslims pray for Eid-ul-Fitr, which is known as “Salat Al Eid” in Arabic. Muslims will congregate in mosques or open locations to offer two “Rakat” units of prayer. Following the prayers, the imam delivers a speech in which he prays for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for all people everywhere.
Donating money to the destitute (Zakat-al-Fitr), Eid greetings are also parts of the Eid celebrations. The night before Eid is known as Chaand ki Raat or moon night. Individuals use this night to finish their holiday shopping and prepare for the next day. The celebration is to show joy, gratitude, forgiveness, gratitude to God, and memory of God.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Revive the Konkani Motets
Traditionally, during the Lent season, we used to sing at our residential places the sorrowful songs where the most agonising account of Jesus Christ’s sufferings is expressed in Latin, this song is called “Motet”. However, in our local churches we were singing the same with refined manner because of the conducive atmosphere there under the guidance and supervision of our Church Mestiri (Choirmaster) who was an expert in solfas. These ‘Motets’ were originally written in Latin but in mid sixties in Goa and elsewhere these Motets were translated into the mother tongue of every linguistic community and in Goa in Konkani.
The greatness of the ‘Motet’ lies in its most sentimental and sorrowful tune accompanied by the serene excellent musical score provided mainly by these musical instruments, namely violin, double bass, clarinet and banjo. The tune of these ‘Motets’ was so sentimental and sorrowful that even without knowing the meaning of the script one can enjoy the. In fact, by listening to its tune only you get attracted to the ‘Motet’ which describes all the sufferings of Jesus Christ. This song is sung in a choral system with number of voices. Our elders loved them especially on Maundy Thursdays while youngsters are not aware of this. I feel with the initiative of our Church we should revive this priceless asset of our community before it goes into extinction.
The present choir masters of our churches are not capable to promote and sing these ‘Motets’ in our churches since they themselves are not aware of this. And secondly since our Churches are filled with Choirmasters whose knowledge to implement Motets in our Churches is dismal, involvement of our Church is imperative to keep this alive.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Don’t destroy Goa’s communal harmony
On May 6 this year we will be celebrating 420 years when Francis Xavier set foot on the Goan soil. After he came to Goa he was preaching the word of God as he was destined to spread the word of God. He did not convert anyone but may be the faith on St Francis Xavier may have converted a few of other religion there is no denying but he never did forceful conversions as it is making news in the sections of Goan society. The Portuguese hand in bringing St Francis Xavier is absolutely wrong and these persons who are saying this are only doing to destroy the communal harmony prevailing on Goa.
When St Francis Xavier came to Goa he didn’t bring wealth being from a rich family. He left everything and ventured in different countries spreading the word of God and performing miracles and healing the sick and the dying of all religious faith. When he set foot in Goa there were no proper motorable roads in Goa but still he would travel walking in every village of Goa. Before dying and being a Jesuit priest he told that his body should be brought to Goa and hence body is kept in Basilica of Bom Jesus.
One can call Parshuram Goencho Saib, no one will object to such a move but to say that St Francis Xavier is not Goencho Saib is unethical and wrong and I can see the only motive for such statements is to create communal tension.
I have seen many Hindus and persons of other faith coming to pray to St Francis Xavier for favours.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Acid attacks
A garment factory worker was attacked with acid by a “spurned lover” in Bengaluru the other day. This was the second acid attack in six months in the city. On an average, 300 to 400 cases of acid attacks on women are ‘reported’ in a year in India though the actual number may be higher.
Many girls and women who have survived acid attacks have lived with grit, courage, dignity and determination sending a firm message that their will power cannot be destroyed by meek sadists hoping to scar their bodies and mind.
Unfortunately, governmental efforts to supplement the brave acid survivors are meagre.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
