Development when in opposition
This is in reference to the article ‘Can development be done when in opposition? (Herald, January 3, 2022). That was indeed a pertinent question posed by Saude Cardozo, when he says, can development be done when in opposition. He has rightly stated that parties in opposition also have a role in governing the country and strive to get development projects in their constituencies. But the question is, are the opposition parties actually interested in the development of their constituencies or, are they interested in their own personal, selfish development.
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Recent developments, not just in Goa but in couple of other States, will bear this out. We have witnessed how brazenly opposition elected representatives or opposition parties have defected or merged with to the other side, leaving their voters in the lurch. So, what development are we talking about?
A Democracy works with both ruling and opposition parties but it seems like nobody wants to sit in the opposition anymore. What then is a democracy without an opposition? Our Democracy however, has stood the test of time and one hopes saner counsel will prevail upon our leaders and make our country proud. After all, we claim to be the largest democracy in the world. Can we live up to that image?
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
2022: The Year of the Missing Duck
The year 2022 is going to be the Year of the Ducks. Like in Bingo, the master calls out a waddling Line of Ducks. But really where has the Duck gone, it is there and not there at the same time. An existential puzzle. And we will go hunting for the missing Duck. O Mi Cron! Where did it go? But the virus itself will be gone by June. But we will continue till the end of the year looking for the missing Duck.
There was an umpire, David Shepherd from England who would hop on one foot when the score was 111 or multiples thereof in a cricket innings. So David will be waiting all year round for the missing Duck to appear so that he can do his trademark hop!
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
The raging viral tide
Even as the third wave rages and with no enforcement of Covid protocol for the deluge of tourists, the State’s positivity rate has rocketed up to a frightening 10.7% pushing the active cases tally to 1671, which is the highest in @ 6 months; Goa is morphing into the next Maharashtra and Kerala.
The other worrisome aspect is vaccine fatigue with only 115 coming forward to take the jab yesterday, there are @61,000 yet to take their second dose. The third wave in Goa is being driven largely by gatherings like marriage functions, election rallies and the recent Christmas/New Year celebrations, most of the newly infected are asymptomatic which makes things doubly dangerous.
The Delta variant is the predominant strain with Omicron waiting in the wings to add fuel to a blazing inferno. Strict implementation of SOPs is the key to dousing the 3rd wave as also putting in place travel restrictions across borders; Goa is unfortunately seen as a ‘sub chalta hai’ place by the rest of India . People also need to shed their death wish and act responsibly else our beautiful state shall be swamped by consecutive waves of infection.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Skip to the good part
This is to reply to your “picturesque view” Of Bambolim-Agassaim road: The flyover bridge. I travelled on Sunday, felt divine. Thanking the honorable CM for the efforts and all those who worked hard to made it happen.
Though there are many issues but let’s skip to the Good part. Goa going better for good. Commendable for picture by Herald. Let’s stay on good side in 2022 let’s skip to the good part.
Sarah Andrade, Davorlim
Number of positive Covid cases rising
The rush of tourists to Goa in Dec, peaking during the Christmas-New year period and the merry making on the beaches, in the halls and the restaurants without observing any of the SOPs was expected to cause a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Right enough, the latest report shows that the average number of cases which was 50 per day shot up to 388 cases on Sunday, a jump of over 650 per cent. The upward march may continue.
I asked a couple of tourists why they liked to come to Goa. They said they love Goa because they get to enjoy here without any restrictions. Liquor is cheap, bars are open during the day and night and everyone including the authorities and police are very friendly, they concluded. And so, as the government desires, the show goes on come what may. It is clear that we have to brace ourselves for a repeat of the horrible situation we had faced during the second wave of Covid-19 due to mismanagement of the government which resulted in the positivity rate shooting up to 53 per cent and death of a number of Goans.
If the government does not keep a check on the observance of SOPs but is only interested in such tourism and encourages it to the detriment of the health and life of Goans, it is time that the people taught them a lesson at the elections. The opportunity to do this is round the corner.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Fighting Omicron threats
On the one hand, the spirit of the people has been just amazing and the example is the way people have been venturing out in large numbers to celebrate many recently held festivals and functions.
On the other hand, most people have been turning a blind eye to the current COVID status especially in the wake of the Omicron variant by not wearing masks in open places. Bunking off such serious yet simple protocols as wearing masks, these people have been posing a great threat to the current state of affairs.
Quite incidentally, I have been witnessing numerous people venturing out for their needs without wearing masks. As for Omicron threats, it is all in our hands to keep away these new fears. Even though vaccination has been a big hit across the board worldwide, people should come out wearing masks.
Plus, the governments and all the media houses should come forward to churn out daily local feeds about important corona protocols through proper means/channels like an ad with a strong message and celebrity voice/word of advice.
After all, countries have to look into their economic needs like agriculture activities and industrial operations. For this, the international community must come out of the COVID loop soon.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai
Attacks on Christianity in India
In the news, specifically on Dec 24 and 25,, we read of more than six incidents of church vandalism and disruption of Catholic religious services. This is deplorable and needs to be condemned by all and especially by the government, whose silence in any atrocities against minorities is deafening. We are rightful citizens of the country protected by the constitution to practice the religion of our choice.
In the Middle East Muslim countries, specifically Oman, a temple and a church exists side by side, there has never been a single incidence of intolerance in Oman or in any of the Gulf countries by the Muslim countries. The nail on the coffin is the denial of foreign funds to the Missionaries of Charity.
In this regard, kudos to the CM of Odisha for pledging support from the CM’s relief fund. Humanitarian values are now the need of the hour
Michael Silveira, Divar
