How far can trolling go?
The Indian Christians for Democracy (ICD) had scheduled a live Webinar on Zoom on January 29, 2022 from 5 pm to 6.30 pm with the following initiators of the conversation: Fr Cedric Prakash, Sujata Jena, Brinda Adige and Robin. The topic for discussion being, “Violation of Rights and Dignities of Indian Christians”
As soon as the first host started his discourse the hate mongers barged in both vocally and in print with their threats to stop the proceedings. Abusive language and expletives were used to compel the organisers to stop the webinar. To aggravate matters shrill noises and cacophony were created so that there was no way the webinar could continue. Having known the divisive forces that are prevalent in the country, the organisers should have been discrete with the password.
This is a disturbing trend whereby the minds of mainly the youth have been poisoned towards a community to the extent they dare to even disrupt a peaceful awareness programme by the organisers. It is inconceivable to what extent this deleterious cancer of hatred has spread in the majority community. In the New India which we are living in where even the hymn, ‘Abide with Me’ has been withdrawn from the Beating Retreat programme on the Republic Day enough fodder has been created by the ruling dispensation and Nationalist forces where Sabke saat sabka Vikas only means that the non adherents of the Hindu faith need to toe the line of the Hindutva forces. If corruption “Hollows the country like termite” as our dear PM declared, so does Communalism, and all of us need to rid the nation of these two evils.
The present day Christian community would in no way regret being in the faith they follow. They should be grateful to their ancestors for accepting the new faith, for with the laws being enacted now by various States it would have been almost impossible to change one’s faith though we are supposed to be living in a progressive secular democracy.
Alwyn M D’Sa, Miramar
The good, the bad and the ugly
Going by the track record of those who have entered the fray of our upcoming Assembly elections (as is being disclosed in the local dailies) it appears that we have more candidates with criminal antecedents vying to seek entry into the corridors of power than ones with probity, respectability and strength of character. What better services can we expect from legislators who themselves are guilty of subverting the laws they are supposed to legislate upon and then try every trick to craftily circumvent the long arms of the very laws they are supposed to uphold? The quality of debates in the Legislative Assembly and the type of governance in this tiny state of Goa that we have seen of late are enough indication of the abysmal depths to which our political class and system has plummeted.
Today we need politicians with high moral integrity, competence, accountability and educational merit who will devise policies that benefit the common man and take our State to that standard of ethical governance for which every citizen of Goa can be proud of. Sadly, however, very few contesting candidates qualify to fall into this necessary bracket. It goes without saying that in a democracy the electorate hold sovereign power to choose their representatives and to demand accountability for what they do and what they do not do.
In the present situation of confusion most confounded, the only way to ensure good, clean, unbiased and transparent administration is to boot out with the power of the ballot, the bad and ugly elements and to support, in unison, candid, clean and competent people who have at heart the good of Goa and Goans. Besides a legislation debarring aspirants with criminal records to contest for elections would go a long away in arresting to a certain extent the unsavoury and disgusting kind of political theatrics we are witnessing today.
Tomas Lobo, Aldona
Goans need to vote decisively
There has been an increase in the activities with regards to the elections as candidates are concentrating on door-to-door campaigning. The Model Code of Conduct which is in force and the pandemic has restricted public gatherings and stopped the poster war. As the election date is fast approaching, the one thing probably on the mind of every Goan is which political party will form the next government in the State. There have even been poll predictions by some news channels. However, given the fact that there are several political parties in the fray, it may seem difficult to make a correct prediction. The anti-incumbency factor could also play a vital role in the ultimate poll outcome.
A hung assembly is a distinct possibility with no party getting a majority. However, a hung assembly will not be in the interest of the State. This will lead to political instability with horse-trading being resorted to by political parties in order to get a working majority. With party candidates taking a pledge not to defect from the parent party, defection may not take place. Independent candidates who are elected to the assembly could play a vital role in forming the next government.
Instability has been the bane of Goan politics in the past. These elections will be path-breaking for more than one reason. It will decide which way Goa will be heading. Goans need to vote decisively in order to avoid a hung assembly. Any single party needs to get an absolute majority so that Goa gets a stable government.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Forget differences and vote wisely
This Goa Assembly Elections Goans have no option but to get new faces of a new party elected who will work in the interest of Goa and Goans, keeping in mind the sustainable development of Goa. One would like to curb corruption in government departments and preserve the culture, heritage, tradition, language and also reform the laws to save the Goan land for Goans. Goa needs human development and job providers so that there is no dependency on government jobs. Goa also needs world class educational institutions and empowerment of women in all sectors.
Much has to be done for Konkani so that the identity of Goa is maintained forever and keep Goa as golden as it was before without making Goa a concrete jungle. Only young leaders can run the government with innovative planning for the next generation. And hence Goa should vote and elect new party with new faces who are educated, sincere, honest with an innovative vision in mind. Then only Goa will see a new change in the system. Let’s all forget our differences and vote wisely and do not repeat the same mistakes committed earlier.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Srtict vigilance needed at Varnapuri
A new bridge has been built by Goa government and MPT for transportation of coal. Recently the bridge is kept open between Varnapuri to MPT port. Many students are found racing, due to which a life of student was lost recently. They are left unguarded, as most of the cops are on Election duty. Moreover parties are held on the bridge with many beer bottles, kept over the bridge.
The Vasco police should take strict action for racing and drinking at open place so that many lives will be saved. Just collecting revenue by traffic police hiding in the corner at Baina will not be appreciated.
Elvis Colaco, Vasco da Gama
