Politics is turning into a circus
Over the past two days we have witnessed this amusing spectacle of one political party’s supporters trying to present a cake to a political opportunist who had defected to the ruling party. The ‘presentation’ was supposedly to mark two years of the epochal event of the crossing over, ironically the person heading the agitators had herself defected from a lesser party to a bigger one. Her party’s supporters were met with stiff resistance with the acolytes of the ruling party MLA, also tomatoes and eggs were enthusiastically hurled at each other by both sides.
On the subsequent day the same scenario unfolded resulting in a free for all, holding up traffic on the roads and putting motorists to great inconvenience. Why don’t these so called clownish leaders do some actual work for the benefit of the people than indulging in such cheap political stunts?
What a waste of perfectly good tomatoes and eggs which would have satiated the hunger of many poor souls.
Rekha Trehan, Benaulim
Raise subsidy amount for artisans
The Goa Handicrafts Rural & Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd has been granting subsidy for clay idol makers in the State annually. The subsidy amount is Rs 100 per idol of minimum one foot. However it is rather unfortunate that this amount is quite meagre in contrast to the efforts and cost of materials which are utilised in preparing the said idols.
First of all, the rate of special mud required for the purpose of making idols has been hiked every year. Similarly, the price of paint also increases from time to time. Some artisans hire labourers as ‘helpers’ for carrying out the above work. Considering these basic expenses, the present subsidy of Rs 100 is rather insufficient for the artisans. It is absolutely necessary to protect their interests on a permanent basis. The Goa Handicrafts Corporation Ltd. should raise the subsidy amount at least to Rs 200 per idol of one feet. Such a favourable step will help a little bit to the traditional idol makers in continuing their trade.
Let us hope that higher officials will exhibit little bit of sympathy in protecting this class of people. No doubt, providing hiked subsidy would provide an incentive to the artisans to some extent.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
AAP should exit Goa, now
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had made a disastrous entry into Goa some years ago. They never could pick up or turn that reputation, not with the face they then chose. They still can’t, not with the faces they have chosen now.
Their agenda was proven when they refused to contest an election in Panjim Constituency and contested one later which looked like a sure shot vote splitter act. But past be forgiven, if there was any chance of a Goa redemption for AAP, it was now, they blew it up over the weekend, for good.
If the party had intentions to dock the 10 Congressmen for joining BJP and desert a sunk Congress ship, they could as well move courts instead of hilarious cake theatrics using laughable characters, hired or poached from other parties, which puts the ’10’ and the AAP Goa party office bearers on the same page. If Goa needs its peace and the AAP has to save face, leave alone contest an election in Goa, they must immediately quit Goa, for good.
Goans are at the crux of a political crossroads and antics of AAP cannot lead it to the right direction this way.
This is Goa, our Goa, Goa still has Goans, they will decide their fate, they do not need your comedy circus to further mess the maze, cause you do not have anything which is not Congress or BJP like.
You are just one of them, trying to capitalise on their failures by individuals who show promise to be worse than the current lot. Please leave Goa and Goans alone immediately. We love our land, we love our peace, we love our politics, we love our people.
Cedric da Costa, Margao
Are eggs a cheap product for MLAs?
If we Goans call ourselves the most civilised society ruled by the Portuguese for nearly five centuries with decency and discipline, where does this idea of pelting tomatoes and eggs comes to the mind of an MLA or his wife, children or supporters?
It was a weirdest experience to wake up and read the same as headlines, or were they really trying to reach them in the news with pride, rather the risk of being disgraced being member of the ruling party or trusted MLA for his respective constituency? On the other hand, another MLA greeted the efforts of the opposition who were decorating the 2nd anniversary – how gentle he was to accept the cake, welcomed and helped himself as a gesture with a smile.
At MLA’s level, he has to be practical, assess and study case by case, why they are greeted in this manner? Rather protesting and showing the world your calibre after switching political party for various thoughts, reasons or gains and when times comes act cowardly forgetting the coat one is wearing.
Eggs are easy to throw and leave a big mess on the receivers. What a shame to have such a cheap thought thinking throwing food is basically non-violent or no-brainer tool. To add to this misery, have we forgotten the plight we all went through finding it difficult to buy the same tomatoes and eggs during the surge in Covid-19 cases?
Does this powerhouse feel throwing food on decent people who come to greet or remind them of the anniversary are cheap or the tomatoes and eggs are cheap?
As Goans are known to be coming from a rich culture and honest, it is high time to think if we need such individuals or we should show them the exit door for destroying the lovely fabric of Goa.
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Parties preparing for elections
Bharatiya Janata Party State president already made an statement that his party is ready to fight assembly elections even if they are held in September this year. He also declared that no family will be given 4 or 5 tickets. What does this mean? Is BJP willing to give even 3 tickets to one family? Once upon a time the same BJP used to blame Congress for family raj for giving two tickets to one family and now they are ready to give 3 tickets per family. Is this not a family Raj?
BJP is already showing signs of what Congress suffered since 2012. In 2017 elections BJP has witnessed their MLAs, Ministers and even their chief minister’s defeat winning only 13 seats out of 40 .And in this way if family raj continues in the coming elections their fate will be like Congress.
Some of their MLAs already announced their wives candidature in certain constituencies. There will be lot of infighting within the party the same way when candidates are announced. It used to happen in the Congress. And now everybody knows where Congress is. Is really BJP ready for coming elections?
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Will contestants be decent or corrupt?
The coming Assembly election will be fought fiercely because every MLA will do anything to retain his seat. Our MLAs will act by discarding every decency and civilised manner to retain his/her seat. Having tasted the power and show of MLA and ministership they are aware of the importance of being elected.
Almost all the contestants in the forthcoming election will be corrupt. Voters will find it extremely difficult to get any single good candidate.
I will emulate the Greek philosopher Diogenes roaming in Athens with a lighted lantern during the day in search of good person in search of good candidate.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
