Wedding noise rules
This is with ref to the article in today’s Herald titled ‘Noise Rules: Musician calls on DGP to enforce 10 pm deadline’ where a musician who owns a band himself has approached the authorities to clamp down strictly on wedding venues flouting the music deadline.
The article states that the complainant owns a band himself which is surprising because its like shooting oneself in the leg.
In this post covid competitive world one has to live and let live. One should remember that we in Goa follow GST that is the ‘Goa Standard Time ‘ where even if the wedding starts on time people walk in even after 9 pm. One must remember that preceding the wedding reception, there are the nuptials to be held in the church followed by prayers at their home The bridal couple arriving at the venue in time depends also upon the traffic situation on that particular day, so considering them as the ‘prime offenders ‘ isn’t right.
So I would request the authorities to avoid this confusion by extending the timing for weddings to 11 pm with lower decibel music beyond 10 and strictly without use of any kind of fireworks . Let the show go on after all what’s the use of spending in lakhs and lakhs nowadays on hall, band and buffet to ensure that a marriage is successful!
Allwyn N D’Souza, Saligao
Epiphany is one of the most important feasts
Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, is one of the most important feasts of the Catholic Church in which we celebrate the ‘manifestation of Jesus Christ’ to the Gentiles, through his manifestation to the three wise men known as Magi. Epiphany is also the last day of Christmas when the three wise men (Magi) presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the infant Jesus and go separate ways.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Maintenance of cameras vital
It is learnt that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras installed at the major traffic junctions, traffic signals and busy streets of Panaji and Porvorim have begun functioning and detecting violations like over-speeding and jumping traffic signals and other offences.
This is a step in the right direction as it reduces the workload on the traffic cops as there is a tremendous rise in the number of vehicles on the roads. The traffic cops can be posted in places where there are no ‘smart cameras’. Such AI cameras need to be installed not only in Panaji and Porvorim but also in other major cities in the state, especially the commercial capital Margao. It is pertinent to note that CCTV cameras that have been installed at several locations in the state are not functioning. The AI cameras that are being installed need to be properly maintained so that they do not go the way of the non-functioning CCTV cameras. Maintenance of the cameras will play a vital role in the success of the project. It also seems necessary to use the AI cameras to detect wrong parking and parking in the ‘No Parking’ zone. The violators need to be fined and if necessary the wrongly parked vehicles need to be towed.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Govt played dirty game over Mhadei
The BJP unit led by its State President Sadanand Shet Tanawade has now decided to start a ‘Signature Campaign’ across the state with the sole intention of temporarily bringing down the tempers of Goans and to save it’s own government’s tainted face over the Mhadei issue in Goa.
Well, it should be noted here that their own party leaders from the centre, keeping an eye on the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls have approved Karnataka’s revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to divert Mhadei water for the Kalasa-Bhandura project, ignoring Goa’s interests.
Unfortunately, our BJP leaders in the state, instead of apologising for Goans for allowing their own leaders from the Centre to play this most dirty game over Mhadei are still heard giving their own false assurances and making stupid announcements by wearing bangles in Goa.
Well, I personally feel that if our BJP leaders from the ruling government in the state are really innocent (as being claimed by them through the local media) and serious in forcing the central government to immediately withdraw the said DPR granted to Karnataka then they should dare to bring down their own government (which unfortunately looks more like a single engine ‘Khataara’ government than a double engine one after this latest betrayal by the Centre) immediately by forcing everyone to resign en masse without wasting any more further time in Goa and that’s my open challenge….
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Promote eco tourism
I would like to share about the Dubai Government which has created at least 2 huge regions of lakes attracting birds including migratory birds! These areas are a top hit with many foreign tourists and even scores of local residents visiting these places. It is important to point out that these were created out of complete desert areas and visitors can vouch for the positive environmental and green impact on the surrounding areas.
In Goa, also we have so many areas which are naturally blessed and can be on an even bigger scale vs. Dubai on a very low cost base (all you need are effective eco visitors facilities and good garbage/waste management), but sadly Goans or for that matter our politicians have very regressive vision and these places are being polluted, concretised, filled up and destroyed!
Goans have to seriously learn from overseas countries where they are making a paradise out of practically nothing and here in Goa, we are devastating our paradise!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Right to speech
In a country like ours, where there is a multi-party system and where coalition governments are often formed, it is not possible at all times for a Prime Minister/Chief Minister to take the whip whenever a statement is made by someone in the Council of Ministers. The government is not vicariously liable for disparaging remarks made by them, even if the comments are traceable to state affairs or meant to protect the government. No one can either be taxed or penalised for holding an opinion which is not in conformity with the constitutional values. It is only when his opinion gets translated into action and such action results in injury or harm or loss that an action in tort will lie.
A statement by a Minister, even if traceable to any affairs of the state or for protecting the government, cannot be attributed vicariously to the government by invoking the principle of collective responsibility.
If such a statement is not consistent with the view of the government, then it is attributable to the Minister personally, Right to speech is well and fully endorsed.
C K Ramanathan, Ghaziabad
