Thieves robbing the temple of Democracy
“Thief seeks blessings before stealing temple donation box” (Herald Feb 17, 2022). It is such a rare occurrence and we are so lucky to see it caught on camera. We find it entertaining! But what you don’t notice is that this happens on camera every five years the venue is the Temple of Democracy!
These thieves take an oath (pray before they rob) on the Constitution and then go about their merry way. These are no ordinary thieves. We go through the process of choosing them ourselves. The police salute them. Then after five years like the temple thief they ask your forgiveness and your permission to rob again.
Like God we are so forgiving! An “ordinary thief” steals your money, bag, watch, gold chain, etc, but the “Political Thief” steals your future, career, education, health and business!
D C Dias, Taleigao
No detention of school students
For the first time since the pandemic hit the state in March 2020, students of all classes have been allowed to attend school physically from Monday as the Directorate of Education (DoE) has cleared the deck for schools to conduct physical classes. This is a step in the right direction as there has been a drop in Covid-19 positive cases. Schools in most other States have already reopened for physical classes.
Until now, offline classes during the pandemic have only been conducted for Class VII to XII. These offline sessions too had been conducted off and on depending on the Covid-19 situation in the State. The State government has also decided that all school exams for the rest of the current academic year will also be conducted in the offline mode.
It must be said that school children have had a harrowing time during the past two years since the pandemic hit the state. They had to stay indoors glued to their mobiles as they followed the online classes and in the process missed playing outdoors, missed their school friends and the joy associated with childhood days.
All this could have had a psychological impact on the children. When the offline examinations are held it would be in the fitness of things not to detain the students of lower classes despite their performance.
It may be recalled that the proposed ‘No-Fail policy’’ which was proposed in 2019 was rejected. Such a ‘No-Detention’ policy needs to be implemented at least for this year given the bad times students had to undergo.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Between a rock and a hard place
In the ongoing tussle between the US and Russia over the Ukraine crisis and NATO’s expansion in the European theatre India is under tremendous pressure to take a clear stand on the issue amid a precipitous standoff that threatens to slide into war. India’s position on Ukraine at the recent Quad meeting was ambivalent and not appreciated by the US and Australia.
Immediate de-escalation through sustained diplomatic efforts and addressing legitimate security concerns of all the stakeholders is the need of the hour and we should say so forcefully and publicly. India can ill afford to have a major conflagration between two nuclear armed and diametrically opposed adversaries upon which both it depends for its energy and defence needs.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Diplomacy has gone for a swing
Dr Manmohan Singh was one of India’s most upright and honest Prime Minister with an impeccable record for his honesty and integrity.
Dr Singh has said in his online message to the voters of Punjab and the other election bound States to beware of politicians who blame everything on past leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to hide their mistakes. He said that you cannot influence foreign policy by forcefully hugging leaders or going uninvited to hostile neighbouring countries to eat biryani. He also said that foreign diplomacy cannot be done by swinging on a swing as it might go for a swing as can be seen today.
The present Government may silence the opposition leaders by using the CBI and ED. But can they send the CBI and ED to Singapore?
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Of Singapore PM and Nehru remark
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has ruffled Indian feathers with his Nehru remark. During a passionate debate in the Singapore Parliament on how democracy should function, Lee gave examples of the decline in political probity among elected politicians in India today. Lee lauded Jawaharlal Nehru but lamented that half of the parliamentarians in India had a criminal record.
The comments from a close strategic partner and leader whose family has shared close ties with India for decades are shocking. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has done well to deplore Lee’s caustic remarks.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
International accolades flying in thick and fast
The thin skinned Indian government lodged a strong protest against the Singaporean PM’s comment on criminal charges including rape and murder against our lawmakers during a debate in their Parliament over the nuances of democracy. What got our sarkar’s goat was that the Singaporean PM mentioned about Nehru’s nation building skills and magnanimity still continuing to inspire world leaders.
As usual our government took umbrage to the facts stated about our MPs/MLAs and also about praise heaped on our tallest statesman whom it denigrates day in and day out; all the problems that India faces today is attributed to Jawaharlal. A couple of days back the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had expressed concern about the hijab controversy and persecution of Muslims in India; this was quickly dismissed by the sarkari stooges as interference in our internal affairs. Similarly was the criticism in the international media about our mishandling of Covid 2.0 attributed to partisanship and motivated comments by anti Indian forces.
We are being noticed by the world for all the wrong reasons in all seasons we remain legends in our own minds. The way things are going there should be a separate desk for petulance, sharp rejoinders, outright rejection, demarches and issuing summons within the Ministry of External Affairs. Add to that another unit for ‘kadi ninda’ and showing ‘laal ankhein’ to the country which cannot be named and we will have everything down pat.
Whining, harassing foreign envoys and tweeting ad nauseam about how India is God’s gift to the world is being passed off as diplomacy in India. We are well and truly on our way to becoming international pariahs.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Goa getting into Carnival mood
Goa is turning in a Carnival mood and this year we the people of Goa should show up our Goan culture and tradition in the Carnival floats. It’s a good opportunity for the youth to show the talent in them and our elders should guide them.
Our Kunbi dance which is known as Goa folk dance rocks along with the traditional Konkani songs. Colourful processions and floats are an integral part of the Goa carnival. Singing and dancing with live music band on the streets attract the tourist and Goans. Some international countries may also take part in our Goan Carnival. Let us get ready to show our Goan culture and tradition to the world as due to election coverage many national news channels are present in Goa.
Request our politicians to help and support our young generation to show our Goan culture and tradition in the Carnival floats.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor .
