Save jetties built during Portuguese era
During earlier days, there was river navigation passenger transport from Panjim to Aldona and back. Later jetties were built at Malim, Britona, Orando-Madel-Chorao, Ekoshim, Pomburpa, Ambarim-Chorao, Calvim and Aldona where ferry launch used to dock.
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Over the years, they stood the test of time and today some are on the brink of collapse because the authorities have turned a blind eye to their deteriorating condition.
During their good old days, tourist and cruise boats used to dock and to go in the villages for refreshment and admire hidden touristic spots.
Normally the jetties are the properties of the Captain of Ports but stand neglected. The locals dump all sorts of garbage including dead animals in the river.
Fishermen cry about the depleting fish catch and end up netting, waste and other rubbish.
The Government instead of constructing new jetties should repair the old ones which are on the verge of collapse and lease them out to local entrepreneurs to venture into business.
Babluis Pereira, Pomburpa
Drug trade – Age no bar
The Panaji police on Friday said that they have arrested a 71-year-old woman residing at Betim and originally from Mumbai and seized from her possession 824.7 grams of ganja worth Rs 80,000 during a raid at Campal in the city. Recently in a major crackdown on drug activities, Pernem police on Monday reportedly arrested a 76 year-old British national for illegal possession of different types of narcotics worth Rs. 15.48 lakhs at Arambol which was found concealed in the rented premises. Acting on specific information from reliable sources the police conducted a narcotics raid and caught the British national with the drugs. In general one would expect young and middle-aged people to be involved in the drug trade. However age appears to be no bar when it comes to narcotics trade. The police team needs to be commended for the swift action in both the cases even though no one would have suspected elderly persons to be involved in such illegal activities. The police need to keep up the tempo of the drive against the drug trade in the state. Who knows, even some foreign women tourists could probably be a part of the drug conduit.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Protest against double railway tracking
The Railway authority along with the government of Goa are harassing the people of Velsao again and again by forcefully laying down the second railway track in the private property of the owners. The toughest collector has been brought to go against the people by using police force by filling FIR against the people who raise their voice to save and protect their own rights. How can the people stay in their own houses when the railway tracks are laid down in front and back of their homes.
The police are meant to protect the people but today the force is used to silence people fighting for their rights.
Time the railway authorities act in a humane manner and solve the issues of the Velsao people across the table.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Let’s join hands and save Mother Mhadei
We Goans have to fight for each and every wrong decision made by our Legislators. After the Centre decided to merge Goa into Maharashtra people had to come on the streets to fight to keep our identity, the last one not long ago on November 1, 2020 we again had to take to the streets to save Goa from destruction in the name of development .
Why do we actually need these leaders in office when they don’t have a clue of what they are doing in fact they are actually bending under the pressure from the Centre.
The latest controversy regarding Mhadei river actually speaks everything of these politicians just sit and nod their heads at the decisions taken by the Centre.
Today the people of Goa are doing the job of these Legislators and they still have the audacity to misuse their power against what the people are doing for the State.
It’s really a point of interest to know that actually they did not submit the DPR report of the Mhadei river dispute and the question is why? Today the entire State of Karnataka along with the political parties keeping their differences aside have come together to take away the River Mhadei from us and our own politicians are trying to silence the voice of the people who voted them to power to do good for the State but it’s quite the opposite. Do we really need these Leaders who are actually a threat for our democracy? I don’t understand why we actually have to still keep them in power when they don’t do anything in the interest of it’s own people and in fact are against them.
When push comes to shove, it’s time to defend and that is exactly the situation in Goa, we need to speak the language these politicians understand and that can only happen if we are united. It’s time to prove once more that we will not give up because we only get alms by begging. Let’s come together once more to fight for what nature has given us which these politicians don’t understand and save our Mother Mhadei.
Savio D’Costa, Chandor
Indian hockey team has made a good start
It is heartening that Indian Hockey Team has defeated the formidable Spanish in a hard fought opening game with a 2-0 victory in the Hockey World Cup 2023 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. This victory would have given the required impetus to our Indian team to go in for an aggressive game to win all the matches they will be playing in the coming days.
At this juncture, it would not be out of place to mention about the step motherly treatment meted out to hockey, our national game compared to cricket by our government. It is a tragedy that we who dominated hockey for so many decades and annexed so many gold medals in the Olympic games have been pushed down badly in world ranking with our abysmally poor performance, for varied reasons. It is time the government came forward to encourage the Hockey team by providing world class training and recognise their victories by offering cash awards equivalent to if not more in quantum compared to that offered to the winning cricket team. The government should not interfere in the selection process of the players. Free hand should be given to the coaches and the hockey stalwarts to select and induct really talented players into our Indian team without allowing nepotism, partition attitude or corruption to taint the selection process if we have to regain our glory in Hockey.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
Naatu Naatu – a class apart
By winning the Golden Globe award for the best original song award, it’s famous composer M M Keeravani has shown that original work always win.
In today’s music world where technology is fully depended upon to compose and churn tunes and songs the Naatu Naatu song tells us something different -music that comes from the heart, music that can feel the pulse beat of the listener and music that in all ways is original and authentic can definitely win the hearts of music buffs and even win laurels. Also when cheap plagiarism is found ruling the music world ‘Naatu naatu’ song undoubtedly stands a class apart for its originality, creativity and uniqueness.
M Pradyu, Kannur
