Quo Vadis, Goa?
The question posed above needs an urgent answer from every Goenkar.
The elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly are scheduled on 14th February better remembered as Valentine’s Day.
New political dispensations, with headquarters in Kolkata and in Delhi are campaigning and contesting the Goa elections professing great love for Goa and Goans and announcing boldly, loudly and clearly that their avowed purpose is to oust the BJP from power in Goa as, according to them, Congress is impotent to do so. This is their ostensible posturing but, behind it lies a hidden agenda, that is to displace in Goa the Congress Party, the historical grand old party of India, weakened in Goa by massive defections, engineered by the BJP.
As in life, so in politics, unexpected things do happen! Just like the fabled Phoenix, the Congress Party in Goa seems to be rising from its own ashes.
With so many parties in the fray, both national and regional, including Independents, all swearing by secularism, condemning communalism, corruption, destruction of ecology, defections and other ills, the secular votes will surely be split. That would be a big shame! The inflated ego of each of the respective leaders of political parties, is the root cause why Opposition Unity cannot be achieved.
One need not be a voice in the wilderness, nor a prophet of doom, to proclaim that the destruction of already damaged Goa, will be total, complete, beyond redemption and irreversible, if BJP comes back to power. To avert such disastrous situation, and avoid the splitting of secular votes, the probable solutions are: 1) Lend your support to just one party or parties in alliance which will fulfil the hopes and aspirations of Goans. But which is the Party or alliance to be supported? Undoubtedly, this would be not only a very difficult choice to make, but also very confusing. Goa is a typical example of too many political cooks spoiling the political broth.
Irineu Gonsalves, Verna
Let us vote wisely
I would sincerely urge the Goan electorate to be wise and use their precious vote wisely to ensure we get a government that genuinely cares for the welfare of its people than someone who talks big but does nothing. Goa is immensely gifted by nature so lets ensure we do not falter and waste our vote and vote wisely for those who genuinely care about Goa and Goans.
Simon Lobo, by email
Put an end to moral policing
Once again we see moral policing raise its ugly head in our neighboring state of Karnataka. The Hijab controversy was started in one school, where 6 girls were wearing a hijab, the school administration suddenly had a issue with the hijab and stopped them at the gate and prevented them from coming to the college, the matter could have been amicably settled between the school authorities and the 6 students, but what happened was that the entire student community across all religions and political parties got involved.
We have seen an increase in moral policing in the last few years, sometimes in the name of beef, sometimes by disturbing namaz, sometimes on Valentines Day, sometimes by show of hooliganism in JNU, now it is the hijab in Karnataka. Moral policing will go on till the time there is no stern message to these hooligans, as they are sheltered by political parties, as of now the authorities prefer to remain silent, not realizing that this is encouraging the goons to take law in their own hands.
Its time to put an end to moral policing as by not taking
action will encourage them further, but is anyone listening?
Mifrah Ismail Shaikh, Dabolim
Be a smart voter
Whenever one applies for a job what is seen is his pack track record. No one hires someone who promises the moon. Candidates with criminal records & ulterior motives think only about the next election & not the next generation.
Effective traffic management, repeated digging of roads, no co-ordination between Government departments, bright illuminated billboards along the road, which blind the rider at night, ever increasing population of street dogs, sound pollution, casino menace are some of the problems faced by residents of Panjim.
For the smart city project, we need SMART people to analyze & deliver smart solutions and not politicians with no accountability.
Politicians do what they do best give freebies or cash before elections. Let us do what smart voters do best reject them. Choose someone who has some leadership qualities. As was said earlier during the 26/11 attacks be more scared about who comes through your vote than someone who comes by boat.
Malcolm Remedios, Campal
Is Karnataka the new Gujarat of India?
Is Karnataka the new Gujarat of India? If you see the news it certainly looks like it. Schools and colleges are temples of learning and not battle fields where you mob women by wearing saffron scarves which clearly shows who is at the centre of the whole controversy.
The PM of India spoke both in Parliament and also gave an interview to his favourite journalist and what did he speak about? The only favourite topic of discussion of PM Modi is the opposition and however much he may wish and say, “agar Congress na hoti…” we the people of India will not allow fanatics to ruin the secular fabric of India.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Karnataka Hijab row
A politician should be chosen by the voter in terms of the one who protects Constitution. People choose a leader who can fight for their betterment of dignity of living and in peaceful and safety of the country and for self. Here we see party and elected leader in Karnataka taking out the freedom of woman in what she should wear, whom to worship, whom to marry and bury. There are so many better things to do than creating such an havoc in the country.
However it says In all things God works for good. It’s time for Goans to vote wisely and choose a party and leader who will not step in to our freedom of choice of the individual but think about sustainability of the city and betterment of the citizens in providing basic needs and making an individual their worth living.
We fought big battles to get freedom and now we caught up fighting for our own rights and choices that I make as individual with the so called leaders turn politicians. Is this what I look in for my incredible India? Choose some one who stop communal violence. And looks for peace.
Sarah Andrade, Davorlim
Konkani language
The other day I was attending a public meeting at Varca and I was very much excited to hear and see one of the speaker Paul Lobo who is also my friend was addressing the issue of Konkani language in Roman script language which needs to be given official language status. All Goans will agree with his view because when we fought for Konkani we used it as our weapon and when we say Konkani it means in both scripts Devnagari as well as Roman. Please do not go by the word “Roman”.
The president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal says it is not advisable to tamper with the existing law but Goans do see any problem in doing so. These problems can be sorted out amicably with each other’s consent and understanding. And simultaneously by staying united like we were during Konkani agitation. And hence the Official Language Act of 1987 needs an immediate amendment making Konkani language in both the scripts, Roman as well as Devnagari so that Goans should not divide on script issue. We first are Goans and our official language is Konkani in both scripts. Jai Konkani, Jai Goa.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
