First Goan IPS officer no more
In passing away of Padmakar Halarnkar a couple of days ago in Bangalore, Goans lost first Indian Police Service official of 1954 batch, who was fortunate to have a short stint as one of the IAS, IPS officials posted on the eve of Goa’s joining the Indian union in 1961 from Portuguese colonial rule. A no-nonsense IPS Police official held different positions in Police Hierarchy including S.S.P (Dis), DIG (Range), Metropolitan Police Commissioner, DIG (State) and two Director Generalships of a State and central force CRPF.
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An upright official who could neither be influenced nor pressurised by anyone while discharging duties declined to be felicitated by Goan authorities as first Goenkar IPS during Goa stint in stark contrast to others awaiting to be felicitated as many times. His reputation of retaining dignity of the force could hardly be matched by few while serving the nation more than any rewards.
Knowing Goans’ potentiality succeeding in different fields, professions, he voiced concern for Goans non-competing in public service competitive exams, when questioned while heading the organisation headquarters at RK Puram, New Delhi. Very few people (Goans) are aware another Goan cop JF Ribeiro and Halarnkar, first two IPS Goa produced prior to 1961, belong to the humble, non-descript area, Salvador do Mundo, Bardez.
L Potelkar, Betim
A virus more deadlier
The tiny state of Goa is known the world over for its peace loving citizens and has gone down as an epitome of communal harmony and peaceful co-existence. Even when elsewhere, the country was being rocked by communal turbulences and tensions, communities that for ages have been living side by side in this peaceful haven, have displayed exemplary grit and restraint while maintaining its age-old highest traditions of harmonious bonding and respectful living. Of late however, such a beautiful mosaic of peace and harmony is being deliberately sought to be tattered to pieces by a few unscrupulous and disruptive elements seemingly with the tacit support of the powers that be.
The recent ugly incident of criminal trespass into Church property at Sancoale by a group with malafide intentions has not only hurt the sentiments of the Catholic community in Goa but has shocked the entire peace loving and law-abiding Goan community residing in the State and living abroad.
While we grapple with the pandemic that has shaken the entire world, we cannot let this pernicious act be taken lightly. The virus of communalism is more deadlier than the pandemic, and needs to be nipped in the bud before it spreads its toxic tentacles to other areas. It would be in the interest of all the citizenry that prompt and deterrent measures are initiated by the government so that attempts by those who are out to disrupt and disturb the communal harmony that defines our identity embedded in our traditional ethos and values are thwarted and the law of the land is respected.
While we hope for the return of amchem bhangarachem Goem in its 60th liberation year to its original glory, we pray that amity remain the heart and peace remain the soul of the State.
Tomas Lobo, Aldona
Move IIT project out of Melauli
The villagers of Melauli have taught the government of Goa and the police force a lesson that they should not forget easily. The villagers of Melauli have made it absolutely clear that they do not want the IIT project there which is going to divest them of their land and their livelihood. The government should immediately move the IIT project out of Melauli. Even 700 police could not control the ire of the Melauli villagers and the government should bow down to their wishes. The villagers have a lot to lose in the form of their land and livelihood which will be lost for them permanently.
It may be recalled that in Mopa, the government and the GMR are conspiring to divest the villagers there of their land. It has been reported that 65% of the villagers of Mopa have not been paid their compensation. The Centre, the government of Goa and the GMR are involved in looting the locals of Mopa who have still been opposing the airport project wherein about 55,000 trees are being cut and 46 crystal clear water springs are being destroyed.
Also, a number of exotic animals, birds, butterfly species are being displaced. The government, in cahoots with a Supreme Court devoid of independence is to be blamed for this sorry state of affairs to this hot-spot of bio-diversity in the Western Ghats.
Similar is the case in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Park in Mollem, where the Centre is trying to push immorally to impose the three infrastructure projects much against not only the will of the people of the area but also the will of majority of Goans.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Financial succour for retirees
In a welcome move by the State government, a committee has been constituted for the welfare of retired teachers wherein financial help shall be made available to them and their dependents (only if the principal beneficiary is deceased) irrespective of whether they draw pension or not. This will come as a Godsend to superannuated teachers in these challenging times especially those suffering from chronic medical conditions. The scheme is valid for a maximum period of ten years, the only two conditions being that total family income from all sources should not exceed Rs 2 lakh annually.
Retirees need to have put in at least 15 years of exemplary service in government recognised educational institutions.
These conditions may be diluted/waived off at the discretion of officials if the applicant has some form of physical disability viz. loss of limb, visual handicap or aural impairment. Also valid insurance coverage and other medical reimbursement facilities enjoyed by physically challenged applicants shall be taken into consideration before doling out succour. Rigorous vetting shall be done at the deputy education officer’s level to weed out fraudulent claims before recommending it to the apex committee headed by the CM himself.
We hope this well meaning measure shall be implemented across the State soonest and not get stuck in bureaucratic red tape as so often happens with State led aid schemes.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Plague in pharma sector
The continuation of unfair trade practices in pharma sector is due to the absence of effective national drug policy vis-a-vis pricing and quality standardisation of generic drugs.
The vicious nexus of manufacturers, doctors, distributors and retailers has been fleecing every strata of society with the myth of the efficacy of generic formulations, with eye only on the economic pie.
To combat the nexus, the government should open more and more pan-India generic medicine centres and ensure non-erratic supply through its own manufacturing houses. Affordable medicine must be within the reach of all.
KG Vilop, Chodan
Team India suffers injuries Down Under
The injury-riddled Indian cricket team suffered another jolt with stylish right-hand batsman KL Rahul pulling out of the series with a sprained left wrist. India is without skipper Virat Kohli who returned home for the birth of his first child. Injury woes have also robbed the team of pacers Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. The sprain puts Rahul in doubt for the four-match home Test series against the Poms, which begins on February 5.
NJ Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
