Flat owners at the
mercy of builders
Unlike other states, Goa does not have a law governing the duties of builders and safeguarding the rights of flat owners. This has encouraged builders in Goa to adopt unfair practices such as non-formation of Co-Op Housing Society, depriving or harassing flat owners for water or supplying water as per their terms.
Many apartments have a single water connection which is commonly shared by all residents living in the building. Often the builder does not allow flat owners to have an individual connection or install separate water meters leaving the aggrieved person at his mercy.
Lodging a complaint to police or taking up the matter to the concerned PWD offices serves no purpose. It appears that common citizens and especially those with less financial approach have to fight a losing battle against the powerful. As Goa’s booming real estate market is becoming a favourite destination for second home buyers, the State Government should take note of such development in the state and not leave the vulnerable buyer to his fate.
Gregory Fernandes, Marcel
Canteen facility needed
at Ravindra Bhavan
The Ravindra Bhavan at Margao happens to be an important centre for cultural activities which caters to citizens of entire Goa since the prestigious Kala Academy has still not been reopened. Tiatr lovers throng the place regularly to watch Konkani shows. Several other cultural programs are also held at this centre. What comes as a surprise is that there is no canteen facility here to cater to the public. It is understood that this is the third year in a row that the canteen is not functioning which has caused great inconvenience to those who come here to watch the tiatr.
Since no bottles and eatables are allowed in the auditorium it affects the elderly and children in the crowd who will have to go without having anything to eat or drink for more than three hours at a stretch which is the duration of the show. Some who travel from far could even faint due to hunger. Most of the tiatr shows commence during the evening when people are used to having a cup of tea or coffee. It is learnt that for some reason no new tender has been floated for the canteen. The authority concerned needs to see to it that the canteen facilities at the Ravindra Bhavan in Margao are commenced at the earliest.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Natural disasters
are very painful
The deadly earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria are a terrifying tale of a natural calamity that has resulted in widespread devastation and a horrific death toll. The photos and videos that keep coming from these two affected nations are heartrending – places covered in piles of rubble, rescue workers looking for survivors, buildings falling down like ninepins, and people crying out for their dear ones who lost their lives to one of the worst natural disasters to hit humanity in decades. The deadly disaster will lead to a humanitarian crisis that will need all the help the two countries can get. Painfully for Syria, the earthquake will add more burden to the ongoing civil war. Devastation of this extreme nature calls for the global community to join hands quickly to come to the aid of these two affected countries and help survivors get back to their normal lives. Said Dalai Lama: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Cow Hug Day
The Animal Welfare Board of India under Ministry of Animal Husbandry of India has called for observing February 14 as Cow Hug Day since, as it puts it, cow is the backbone of Indian culture and hugging with cow will bring emotional richness and increase individual happiness. It is not difficult to see that Feb 14 has been chosen for cow hugging since Valentines day falls on that day and it is linked by some people to Western culture.
It is not known how many people especially those who don’t have cows will hug them since stray cows will not allow strangers to do it. Be that as it may, please note that cow hugging has been suggested for human emotional richness and happiness. What about the happiness and welfare of cows? The so called stray cows and cattle are not really stray.
They are owned by people who, in order to save trouble and money, are let loose during the day for grazing, eating thrash, wondering and squatting on the roads and causing road accidents resulting in loss of life both of humans and animals. Is this our love for the cows?
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
No respite for
borrowers
There appears to be no respite for borrowers, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiking the repo rate by 25 basis points. The latest hike is the sixth in a row since May 2022, and as the cost of funds goes up for the banks, they will pass on the higher cost to debtors. However, the repo rate hike could be a blessing for savers as the banks are expected to increase the interest rates on fixed deposits. Besides raising repo rates, the RBI revised its projections for growth and inflation. It forecasts the economy to expand at 6.4% and estimates inflation to be an average of 5.3% in FY24.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
The Aussie mind games
On the cricket field, India needs to be wary of the mind games that the Australian team and its management are playing. Appearing as if they are scared of India’s spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin is only to lull India into thinking that they have the Australian team on the backfoot even before a single ball has been bowled. This is not true since the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, Labuschagne, Khwaja and the free hitting Travis Head are all strong in the mind and are capable of taking the Indian bowlers including the spinners to the cleaners. However, they are not resting alone on mind games but making sure that their batting practice covers what they are likely to see in the Tests by getting a bowler who has a similar action like Ashwin to bowl at them in the nets. Thus the Indian cricket team should not take it easy in their preparations for the upcoming series otherwise they will see themselves lose badly.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Flawed statement
India and Pakistan have never been friends. That said, India has never been inimical to building bridges with its neighbour. However, it is Islamabad that has propelled New Delhi to adopt a no-nonsense approach towards it. State-sponsored terror by Pakistan has hit India hard, and not the other way around. Even on the contentious Kashmir issue India has always maintained a dignified approach. So, history is replete with examples of Islamabad poking its nose into Indian affairs. Therefore, the recent statement of Pakistan state minister for foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar that India has been choosy in offering humanitarian aid and that New Delhi did not extend a helping hand to her country during last year’s floods is appalling to say the least. Friendship is a matter of give and take and no assistance can be unilateral. It is preposterous to heap all kind of terrorism on a neighboring country and then expect that country would offer help to it in times of distress. Perhaps, Hina Rabbani should take a refresher course in human relations and, more importantly, issues that tend to affect bilateral relations between countries. She should also do well in studying why Bangladesh foreign minister Abdul Momen has sought an apology from Pakistan on the 1971 liberation war.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
