Goa is not the place for free fun
The WHO and ICMR have declared that vaccination is our best bet to reduce the fatalities due to Covid infection. Many experts have also warned, time and again, that vaccinated people can still be infected with Covid and spread it to others. In this situation, we should have seen people taking the safety precautions at all times especially since Delta, the most dangerous variant, is already in India. But if we see the behaviour of tourists on the beaches of Goa it seems that all that they care for is “khavo, piyo aur maja karo” and the rest be damned.
We have also seen some videos recently after the passing of the controversial Bhumiputra bill, where a couple of our politicians were dancing and celebrating without wearing masks. Such behaviour sends wrong signal to the people and tourists think that, Covid or no Covid, Goa is one destination where you can have free fun at all times without any restrictions.
The Covid situation in Goa today is not as bad as it was two months ago. Still, we would not like to see Goa returning to that bad state again. The authorities should therefore ensure that the tourists also fall in line and take safety precautions as the local people do.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Kejriwal, ‘The Robin Hood of India’
This is in response to ‘You tell us…. Who your candidate should be’ (Herald Insight, August 12). I think Kejriwal by his achievements has proved that he is undoubtedly the Robin Hood of Goa & India. AAP’s past performance deservingly earned them one more term in the Delhi’s government as people expressed faith in Kejriwal by re-electing them. Some sceptics in Goa have misunderstood his freebies which is actually a trump card used by AAP. Some are of the opinion that Kejriwal is using Delhi’s tax payers money to gain popularity in Goa with their free ration programme, but I think even Delhi’s taxpayers are in favour of spreading AAP’s fragrance throughout India.
The rich taxpayers know that Kejriwal is judiciously and sincerely using their money for constructive purposes, which is why none of them have questioned Kejriwal regarding this dispensation of ration in Goa. He is using rich taxpayers’ money to provide subsidy to the poor, unlike Modi who is using poor taxpayers’ money to benefit unscrupulous people like Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Choksi. So I think Goa badly needs Kejriwal whom most of us can vouch as a person of integrity.
Dellon D’Mello, Vanxim
Sign language interpreters
The Disability Rights Association of Goa has stressed upon the government for sign language interpretation of all programmes on Independence Day as well as for future official functions of the CM, Governor and other senior State level government functionaries. It may be recalled that Doordarshan started off with interpreters for their news bulletins way back in the 80’s. Goa has a deaf population of @3000 and the Disability Act 2016 mandates equal opportunity and non discrimination of differently abled persons and directs that all government communication must be in accessible format.
Similarly all details of government schemes for the visually handicapped should be published in braille so that they can make informed choices and not be deprived of benefits. This would pave the way for a more inclusive society, integrating persons with disabilities into the mainstream.
At present Nagaland is the only State to have a sign language interpreter for official functions though Goa had made a start with the CM’s Independence Day address last year.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Are we really free?
Our mother India is celebrating 75th year of Independence from British rule. On this occasion, our elected leaders will make eloquent speeches about the achievements of the government. Political parties, in particular the Centre as well as State governments, will announce welfare schemes which will appear on paper, they will also lay foundation stones. But will our leaders publicly admit that corruption is rampant in our country from top to bottom?
The newspapers are full of corruption related stories almost daily which are difficult to digest but most are true, the main cause of this evil is greed. People in power, under some pretext or the other, lie, steal, loot and siphon public money to acquire more wealth which will be enough for generation together without worry. When greed takes control of person’s heart the person’s heart becomes hard and accumulation of wealth becomes the only goal in life. This insatiable desire drives out honesty, accountability, sense of decency, compassion for the poor. Referring to greed Mahatma Gandhi said “There is enough in India for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed”
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
