Eye-catching exposes
What a pleasant surprise it was to see the step-by-step pictures of the refurbishment of the mausoleum and the casket which uphold and contain the sacred mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, our ‘Goencho Saib’ at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa. It must have caught most Goans unawares even though there was talk of it in the air. The pre and post processing pictures of the mausoleum and the casket was a wonderful study in contrast. This was definitely one of Herald’s most eye-catching exposes. Congrats.
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Undoubtedly the ASI and the Basilica authorities must be complimented for the completion of this most urgent task in record time. That too when there was talk of shifting the mausoleum to Spain for expert attention and cure. It is routinely taken for granted that local procedures and undertakings are always riddled with dispute, delay and shoddiness. This whole exercise proves that things can be the opposite and the results as good if not better than foreign expertise.
However there remains one big question mark hanging over the otherwise successful venture. Why was there not a single photograph of the coffin containing the body of our patron Saint which was lowered and taken to the Basilica sacristy for security purposes. Granted this had to be a behind the curtain job to avoid public glare and interference, especially in these trying times. But presuming that the mortal remains are still in the sacristy of the Basilica one cannot but hope against hope that they can still give us a short live coverage of the lifting up off the glass coffin back on to the pedestal.
Today all things are going virtual and online. Hopefully we can have our first virtual online exposition of the Body of our beloved Saint Francis Xavier. This can be a great unifying factor of all sections of society. And where there is unity there is the presence of God and healing.
Hopefully the Goa Government, the ASI and Church authorities will work together for a meaningful and memorable conclusion to this historic exercise.
John Pacheco, by email
Is Goa for sale?
Soon after Liberation, Goa was offered as a gift to Maharashtra but due to the efforts of leaders like Dr Jack Dr Sequeira and Goans who voted against it, our Goa was saved. Soon after, our Anjediva Island was given as a gift to the Centre saying for defence purpose. After that a large portion of land on Cavelossim village beach was given to the Centre again saying for defence purpose. That was the first innings.
Now in the second innings Mhadei river is given as a gift to Karnataka inspite of objections from the Goans. It looks Mandovi river is given to casinos owners to do whatever they want to do.
Mormugao Port Trust is given to Adanis, Ambanis, Jindals and Vedantas and as if it’s not enough they are after our Goan land in the name of development to do widening of highways, double tracking of railways, transmission lines etc at the cost of our fields, hills, forests, wildlife sanctuaries etc. Our beautiful mountains, hills and Communicate lands are given as gifts to rich migrants. Almost full coastal belt is to be gifted to Mormugao Port Trust.
Even our own ancestors hotels like Tito’s and Souza Lobo’s are not spared, even they are attacked and damaged. Lately their eye is on our beautiful Jacinto Island. Outsiders once they come to Goa don’t go back, but prefer to buy properties and our old Portuguese houses and stay here only.
So now what will be left for our children? And what about their future? Is there any answer? Only God knows. Is Goa really for sale? Goa wants to know.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Door-to-door baggage transfer
If one is travelling by air and at the same time carrying a lot of baggage, transporting the baggage to the airport, waiting for the arrival of the baggage on the conveyor belt at the airport, which can be time consuming, and transporting the baggage to the destination can be a bit of a bother. Matters can be worse if one has to attend an urgent meeting upon arrival. Airline major IndiGo has come with a novel idea to solve the issue. It is understood that the airline has partnered with on-demand platform CarterPorter to provide door-to-door baggage delivery service. This facility will undoubtedly enable passengers to travel worry-free as CarterPorter will transfer their baggage contactless from one destination to another for a nominal fee. The service can be availed up to 24 hours prior to departure of the flight and any time on arrival.
Other airlines too need to introduce such a door-to-door transfer of baggage since it becomes cumbersome to travel with additional baggage. This will ensure baggage-free and stress-free travel even though one is carrying a lot of luggage, especially on international flights.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Spare the elderly and middle class
Let the middle class and elderly be spared from rate cut on small savings schemes as these are lifeline for them and they bank on the interest accrued over years to meet their financial needs and though the internet rates are quite low the much-harried common man feels reassured that he has something to fall back.
Moreover new rate on PPF was reported to be the lowest since 1974 which the Govt has now retracted promptly but still the govt owes an explanation as to why it took the unfriendly decision and inconsiderate step in first the place. It is a matter of common sense that the interest rates should have been left unchanged when country is in throes of the second wave of pandemic and the least that the government can do is to pay attention to this section of society that is contributing significantly to the economic recovery.
The announcement of sharp cut in interest rates turned out to be a cruel April Fool’s day joke for small savers and senior citizens and within 12 hours fears of electoral backlash forced retraction of orders issued by ‘oversight’ The faux pas on the govt’s part exposes a flawed approach to policymaking. After all the lower interest rates were not some overnight decision – they have been part of well-thought out and sustained plan to reduce the overall rates of interest across all types of instruments and the biggest beneficiary of such lower interest would have been the Govt itself.
The vast majority of people prefer such savings options because of the perceived safety and nearly 85 per cent of domestic financial savings are in bank fixed deposits and small savings schemes. Since many of the small savings schemes are designed for specific social purposes – for farmers or the girl child – the impact of lower interest rates on such schemes translates into a direct impact on the vulnerable sections of the population.
Rather than looking at it from an accounting perspective, the Govt should view small savings schemes through social lens
Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandar
Cheers are not votes
Just cheering at the elections rallies cannot be converted into votes anymore. Mamata Banerjee has made a career out making everybody dance to her tune. Now, let Didi and Dada dance to the tune of the masses.
The BJP in West Bengal is inviting some popular personalities to join their party, there is no harm there, but the BJP should be cautious not to make the party a dustbin for turncoats from other parties. It has become a prestige issue of sorts for the BJP in West Bengal; a loss here will be a major embarrassment for the BJP.
It is wrong ethically if people enter politics for self benefit to fill their own coffers and not as a service to the society. I feel to be politician it is like holding a lucrative post with a hefty salaries and pension benefits after five years. No doubt there are corrupt politicians who should be ousted. So politics should be reserved for people who sacrifice themselves for the well-being of the nation.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
