The ‘disco king’
departs
Music director Bappi Lahiri who harnessed the disco wave to produce chartbusters in films like ‘Disco Dancer’ and ‘Namak Halal’ was equally proficient in gentler semi-classical and folksy tunes left for the great gig in the sky after entertaining us for close to five decades.
During our adolescent years in the 80s, it was mandatory to have atleast one peppy number in a film for it to have some chance of success at the box office. For the young and the restless, his uptempo numbers with frenetic beats was just what the doctor ordered to enjoy life, to love, to romance and to laugh.
Bappida’s songs found popularity not only in India but across the world, notably in China and Russia, his music was all encompassing and very relatable, beautifully expressing diverse emotions while at the same time not being overmushy. No Bollywood composer understood, captured the then musical ecosystem like Mr Lahiri did.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Is Goa or we
“Susegad”!
Let me see if we can correlate the subject with our practical experience on recent hectic VD election. Yes, it is true that the mind set to vote for a candidate, who believes in democracy, ethics and is clean was in tact. But confused by the top party leaders from the Centre to local party heavy weights and politicians inviting us for a voting class at their own schedule time – we ran to make sure that we get a seat, listen to the stereo type talks that the other political party did nothing good for Goa.
Yes – No – I don’t know was running in our mind. Some of us attended to see the politicians live or get selfies. If you look at the bigger picture – parties must have done great in their parent state, but in Goa, most embraced goons, illicit rich, uneducated and defected candidates as they knew that we Goans only look for party affiliation or candidates with personal affection that I like him/her being personally nice – in reality, did he/she help you, your children in employment, helped you in government related work or during covid 19 to find bed or oxygen – Not really, but he/she is a good person. Next came the social media confusion – Facebook, Youtube, political singers and lastly the Hindi Khabar bee that stung in the last hour with so much of venom that we did not get good sleep in this overall confusion!
In conclusion – We must admit that we Goans have allowed Goa to derail to such poor status, yet confused after all the burns. If you allow others to rule your heart and mind, blindfold the atrocities, no need to blame anyone else – don’t go far, look at neighbouring Kerala, Talangana and yesterday’s Tamil Nadu – hope Goa will be the next to follow if we don’t act Susegad. Let’s wait and watch until March 10 to see, If the grey-pink Notes or your wise Votes have found justice for Goa!
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Law makers become
law breakers
This has reference to the report ‘A helipad destroying farms built with no consent from farmers, no care or compassion (Herald, February 17, 2022).
It’s joy of democracy with power. Even I live in democracy but I have been given name of citizen and voter. Since this is my ID I need to go through all the laws, if I violate even a law then all sections of the law applicable. But if same thing authorities in honour of PM who came for his party campaign not for an official trip, then all the laws muted. Where is justice, where is EC who said non of the government bodies be used for campaign.
Oh! I forgot to mention common man identity in this case farmers etc. Well what common man has to do with power, as politicians are chosen by common man but politician say my money brought me to power and it’s mine alone. Secondly, the Money factor. It’s not politicians either it’s public money but for PM’s honour. Yes PM is entitled to have all the honour but not by breaking the law. To give benefit to my readers and also fan club of PM may be he is not aware officials have done it to please some body.
I think it’s time to rectify and realise and make confession to common man. What about violating law? HC, SC, and EC can answer better way.
Sarah Andrade, Davorlim
Secrecy of voting violated?
In the just concluded Goa assembly election 2022 it has been confirmed and facts have come to light that there were lot of violations that occurred in this elections.
First and foremost a voter producing a photo or showing a video from the voting compartment and proving that his vote was caste for a particular candidate was monetarily compensated.
Again another transgression that occurred was if any government servant and personal on election duty and who had the option of postal ballot if they showed to the candidate or sometime forced by the candidate to show and vote for him or her where also monetarily gratified.
Even surprisingly some voters where compensated for not voting if the candidate doubted the voters sincerity and felt that the voter belonged to the rival camp!
Therefore it is felt that the election commission should in future intervene and take effective steps to negate such violations which are a blot on the democracy and prevent such incidents from taking place.
Filastro Cardozo, Varca
Nature will take its revenge
This has reference to the report ‘A helipad destroying farms built with no consent from farmers, no care or compassion (Herald, 17 February 2022).
The Herald deserves to be complimented for taking up public issues and exposing the authorities. The building of a helipad on fields near Mapusa is just yet another instance of the highhanded attitude of those in power. Taking over somebody’s land overnight for building a helipad without the owner’s permission amounts to daylight robbery. Besides robbing the owners of their livelihood, extensive damage seems to have been done to the environment, with trees being cut down, laying hot-mix directly on the mud, etc.
As far as compensation is concerned, well it can only help tide over the temporary loss of livelihood but what is about sustainability? There seems to be moves to restore the fields to the rightful owners. And what about the damage to nature, can the authorities compensate nature? They need to understand that you cannot compensate nature, nature will take its revenge in its own way. In the meanwhile, can one give hope that the authorities get back their sensibilities? The authorities, not just in Goa but in the rest of the country as well, should stop bulldozing their way through.
Melville X. D’Souza, Mumbai
Thief offers prayers before robbing
Apropos to the news report “Thief seeks blessings before stealing temple donation box” (Herald, February 17, 2022).
Thief has stolen cash worth Rs 30,000 from the donation box of the Khapreshwar Temple at Sada-Murmugao. He has already asked for forgiveness for his sin that is stealing money from the house of the Lord Khapreshwar.
Thief has secured his future by offering prayers, seeking blessings and asking for forgiveness of his heinous crime about to be committed. Camera has recorded every act in real time. Entire Goa has watched the thief’s desperate attempts to whitewash his sin. What more can one say to this? Look, oh my dear lord. I am stealing your money from your house right in front of you. Forgive me. For, I am helpless. I haven’t had food in quite some time. Hunger pangs are to be blamed for this sin. Oh dear Lord, you know everything. Why am I explaining and wasting my time? Cash box is right here. Let me help myself with it and run for my life.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao.
