Unveiling of renovated Fort Aguada jail
The former central jail at Fort Aguada, the Portuguese-era structure which has been renovated at a cost of Rs 26 crores, and soon to be unveiled, will reportedly be open for visitors on all days of the week, including Sundays and public holidays. The government has also allayed fears that the iconic monument will be handed over to a private player. The renovated fort will be a huge attraction for tourists. The fort will be a museum of the freedom struggle as it is understood that personal objects of freedom fighters Dr Ram Mohan Lohia, TB Cunha and those who were imprisoned at the Aguada jail will be displayed.
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It is learnt that life-size statues of freedom fighters will be placed at the information along with information about their role in the freedom struggle. Local musicians, folk dancers and artistes will perform songs, drama and folk dance in order to showcase Goa’s culture. It is pertinent to note that the Goa government used the premise as a prison until 2016, the year it moved all prisoners to the modern Colvale Central jail. It is learnt that an expert committee comprising doctors have reportedly decided to ask the government not to open tourism so soon in the wake of fear of the possible third wave of Covid-19. Under such circumstances it would be desirable not to throw open the renovated Fort Aguada until such time that the possibility of a third wave of the novel Corona virus infection is ruled out.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Goan rights; do away with bhumiputra
This is a strong message to the CM, Bhumiputra a meaning you CM have forgotten it means son of the soil. Who can be labelled as one? We have been following so many Portuguese laws for example. If any Goan wants to make a Portuguese passport he has to have his ancestors’ proof of residence in Goa and then only he is given a Portuguese passport. So the same is applicable to a son of the soil of Goa.
Our ancestors have toiled hard for the land that we Goans are occupying today and how can an outsider get what belongs to us Goans. CM you have to scrap this bill totally and not ask us to change the name of that so called bill Bhumiputra a person who occupies a land without having his ancestral evidence of the land he is occupying cannot in any way be an owner of that particular land.
We allowed a migrant to stay on our land on amicable conditions that he can earn a living by working only on our land and never to be an owner instead. Why don’t you CM see how the Middle Eastern countries operate. Even if a factory is on an Arab’s land for decades, the factory owner has to pay a rent for that place for as long as he is operating his factory. No matter how rich you are, nobody can own an Arab’s land in his country. Take this fact as an example CM no courtesy is given to an outsider. You talk about dignity of a migrant or say tenant or mundkar.
CM use your common sense if at all you do have it and scrap the bill that your cabinet has approved or else there will be a volcano erupting soon and you will be held responsible. As a true Goan and a landlord, I am requesting you to do what the sons and daughters of our Goan soil ask for before it’s too late. Scrap the Bhumiputra Bill once and for all.
Vincy Soares,
Orlim
Slum democracy manipulation
Some Goan MLAs’ priority is immediately create/grow migrant vote bank via encroachments/illegal houses with ration cards and electricity/water utilities.
So it does not matter how the MLAs perform and their political future/looting is secure. This menace is slowly spreading all over Goa and if we don’t address on priority #bhumiputra politics snake will rise again and dislodge us. Time to act is now.
Arwin Mesquita,
Colva
Why recognise sports persons now?
It is the practice of Corporates, huge business houses and the government, both centre and State to rush with accolades, cash awards, houses and what not to the players when they win, particularly in international games like the Olympics. We are also witnessing the same thing after our players won medals in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The States offer crores of rupees to their winners and employment and the Prime Minister even calls the winners to congratulate them and invite them as guests for the Independence Day celebrations.
If we speak to the players individually, everyone will have a very sad life story to reveal as to how they were running from the pillar to the post to get a sponsor for them; why, someone to help them with even a few hundred rupees to buy a pair of shoes or a hockey stick! Every one will be in tears if they hear the heartrending and pathetic story of Rani Rampal, daughter of a cart puller father and a house maid mother who without getting any financial help coming from any quarters and after much personal sufferings and sacrifice made by her poor parents has now become the Captain of the Indian Women Hockey Team.
Every player has such heart rending stories to tell and the hard times they had to pass through before becoming a national player. Added to their financial agony, it is shocking to learn of the worst treatment meted out to players who belong to lower castes not only by the concerned authorities, coaches and even their team mates but also by the so called high caste elements from their own villages. The ill treatment given to the family of the star player Vandana Kataria, a Dalit, by the Upper caste goons in her village immediately after the Indian Women’s team lost the match to Argentina is a case in point. Why can’t the sports-enthusiast corporates and the philanthropists identify potential sports persons well in advance, adopt them, get them the best training and help them blossom into full-fledged players of international standard? This will help many budding indigent sports persons to become great players and bring laurels to the nation.
We have heard many such sad stories of financial crunch from our Tamil Nadu players also. However, it is heartening that M K Stalin, Chief Minister of the State has vowed to see that this malady does not affect potential sports persons from the State and has assured that all their financial needs would be taken care of by the government.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai
Prayers before class
As my daughter attends her Std IX online classes excluding Tuesday, Saturday, in our village school Divar I was wondering that since one year past all our children have been locked at home with no school friends, no school activities, no outdoor physical activities like sports, games, no going to churches and temples to pray, praise and worship. While thinking all this, suddenly one thing struck my mind is that when our school used to start we said “National Anthem” and Prayers before beginning our classes which I think is missing at present online classes as I see my daughter’s classes starting directly at 8.30am and not as it used to at 8am like before?
My appeal to CM Dr Sawant who is education Minister, to Director of education, to all the schools and teachers in Goa/India, whoever have not started the above to give direction to start our National Anthem and Prayers before online classes start from tomorrow itself as we were doing before. Let’s teach our children the value of the same before they forget. Jai hind.
Jerry L D’Souza,
Divar
