KBM’s zeal for Roman script
This has reference to the news ‘KBM demands implementation of official language Act’ (Herald, January 9). I sincerely appreciate Konkani Bhasha Mandal for its zeal, dedication and enthusiasm towards submitting manifesto to all political parties contesting for Assembly elections towards implementation of official language Act. As quoted by Anwesha Singbal, president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal “we sincerely and wholeheartedly believe that no political party should overlook the importance of protecting our culture and mother tongue and must necessarily priorities the official State language Konkani. It is imperative that the Government must be dedicated to the cause of protecting the language.”
She and the entire KBM executive committee deserve a pat on the back for this effort. The manifesto, without a doubt, has been meticulously crafted with minute details and a grand vision, with the exception of one conflicting proposal that the ‘Official Language Act should not be altered or tampered with in any regard.’ So, what exactly does that imply? As we all know, Konkani language in Goa has two scripts: Roman and Devnagri. The inclusion of ‘Konkani in the Devnagri script’ in bracket has harmed the former script.
On several occasions since then, the demand for equal status for Roman script in the Official Language Act has been made to those in charge. Language cannot be dismissed as merely a means of communication; rather, it serves as a protector of the culture, history, and lives of those who use or have used it. It even fosters a sense of fraternity and togetherness among users. Gone are the days when children were educated through an older version of the tortoise and hare narrative, in which the moral was “Slow and Steady Wins the Race.”
Many languages have died out for a variety of causes. One of the most significant issues is the lack of a script. The Konkani language should not be subjected to the same fate.
Guadalupe Dias, by email
To vote is our duty
Our forefathers suffered great hardships in order to gain our independence and preserve the identity that the world today recognises as Goa. It’s because of their efforts and hardships, we have the right to vote, and if not for us, it is our obligation to conserve what our forefathers cherished so highly for generations to come. Our right to vote helps preserve everything our freedom fighters envisioned for Goa. By voting for a better Goa, we mark and respect our liberation fighters and value their vision for Goa which they had for generations to come.
Today Goa stands at a crucial juncture where we face a moral conundrum of deciding Goa’s future. Within a day or two the aam aadmi will have a say in voting out corrupt politicians who collude with the bureaucrats to loot and plunder us voters. Irrespective of how adjusted you may feel with the main principal political parties one must/have to go out and vote, if you do not what you are abdicating your responsibility for?
Low percentage of votes casted only helps the most corrupt and the crooked of the candidates. Go by your conviction and your judgement and vote for the candidate who your ethics justify for you to vote, win or lose you will have the satisfaction of having participated in the democratic process if you do not vote you do not have the right to grumble about the state of affairs.
Be wise in choosing the lesser of multiple evils.
Sieno Gomes, Benaulim
Let us vote wisely on Feb 14
Are we all looking for the likes of “Dr Jak Siker” to bail out Goa from the clutches of hell? Answer may look simple, but mind you, in this particular Goa election with most voters completely burnt out, it is a nerve-racking ordeal. For most, it is like appearing for some tough board exams having sleepless nights checking with relatives, neighbours, friends if they are prepared or otherwise. Some wish to know, whom are they going to vote and some seek opinion between a good candidate and their own grandfathered party since 1961, doesn’t matter how corrupt their party has become since then?
On one side, the bad candidates are like circus juggler, they will go door to door campaigning like carnival’s khell tiatr or a pied piper, some demonstrate power of money, do fake publicity with endless lies with a goal of somehow winning voter’s heart. On the flip side, there are good sitting candidates, who will plan of adopting clean political system, pick up Oratory skills, have charisma of a leader and ideology favoured by electorates, then irrespective of any muscle powered opponent, such honest candidates will definitely have chance of winning.
What one does not understand is, after the electorates having suffered poor governance for decades, why do you think the political leaders travel distance, leaving their own offices to reach Goa? This whilst blocking and jeopardising the traffic, killing the serious patient waiting in the ambulance on the road to hospital, making commuters life miserable. Will such attitude mesmerise these tired voters or will frustrate them more, making them look handicaped and dumb?
Let us vote and vote wisely to send the corrupt candidates packing!
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Discount in restaurants on polling day
It is learnt that the South Goa district collector who is also the district election officer said that restaurants in South Goa will offer lunch at discounted rates on polling day. The authorities have reportedly linked 60 restaurants across the district to offer lunch to voters at discounted rates and the voters will have to show their finger ink mark in order to confirm that they have voted.
This is a novel way to show appreciation to the voters for exercising their franchise. However, care needs to be taken to check that the finger ink mark is that which is provided at the polling booth. It will come as a welcome move for voters, especially the senior citizens, who have come from far off places and have had to stand in long queues in order to cast their votes.
This is a good idea because the polling day coincides with Valentine day. It will, in a way, be an impetus for the youth and first-time voters to cast their votes. It is understood that the discounted rate is available in restaurants located only in South Goa.
It would be in the fitness of things to extend this offer in restaurants across the state as it is a feel-good factor that has been introduced in the election probably for the first time. It would also be desirable to provide free mineral water bottles outside each and every polling booth as voters may have to bear the heat of afternoon sun.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Road repairs for VIPs, not common man
You have well said in your editorial “Road repairs for VIPs not for common man” (Herald Feb 11). For long the common people had to undergo the difficulties of bad roads ridden with countless pot holes and craters with some people also meeting with accidents. Now, just a few days before the elections when top dignitaries and VIPs paid a doctors visit to Goa for election speeches, the PWD swung into action and repaired the remaining roads. No code of conduct applied to these repairs.
Not only repairs of roads, a helipad was also constructed in Mapusa within 2 days at public expense. This clearly shows how much the government in power cares for the common people of Goa. An important point for people to remember on February 14.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
