Reviving the glorious past of Goa
The special weekly feature on O Heraldo dated February 20, ‘Singing Goa’s past into the future’ is not only interesting but also informative, educative and entertaining.
Over the years, the Tourism Department of Goa has been showcasing to both Indian and foreign tourists various facets of Goa’s past relating to the Portuguese era as some of the major touristic attractions. However those who were and are familiar with the Portuguese culture were sceptical and unhappy about the manner in which various aspects such as music, dancing, cuisine and social and cultural events were packaged to sell to the tourists. They were just some mediocre commercial activities which hardly gave the true insight and information about Goa’s glorious past.
However, this distortion will be changing and set on the right track because of an enthusiastic groups of young Goans like Schubert Fernandes (Goan Cuisine), Omar Loyola Pereira (Entre nós) are determined to place before the Goa’s new generation and visiting tourists, the authentic idea about the music, dance consisting of folk songs like Mando, Dulpods, Dekhni, an emotive nostalgic Portugese Fado, typical cuisine and Indo-Portuguese Heritage of Goa. All these aspects have been reinforced and enlivened with the introduction of unique experience known as ‘Heritage Home Concerts’.
The credit for such an innovative enterprise and entertainment experience goes to talented artists and musicians like, Omar Loyola Pereira, Nádia Rebelo, Selwin Menezes to name a few.
Of course attending one of the Heritage Home Concerts will definitely provide the visitors a first-hand experience of their lifetimes.
Antonio Diniz, Fatorda
Death of democracy
It was shocking to hear that residents of Panjim city along with activist and one time councillor Patricia Pinto and high profile Architect Ritu Prasad were demonstrating in a Carnival Parade, highlighting ‘the death of Panjim City’, the disastrous planning done in the Panjim city, were stopped by the Police their colourful posters destroyed and detained at the police station for three hours. It is alleged that the police misbehaved with a young boy whose mobile was taken away and the confrontation recordings wiped out.
A big hue and cry was made that during the Portuguese dictatorial regime, there was censorship and all ‘ Khell and Tiatr’ at Carnival time, had to be first shown at the house of the local ‘Regidor’ to pass the test, how is the system different today. It is a gross violation of freedom of expression and needs to be condemned vociferously by one and all. The larger picture shows the use of government agencies to supress freedom of expression as in the case of raids on BBC office in India. This mascaraed of democracy has to be stopped.
Agnelo Furtado ,Chinchinim
Negative impact of frequent hotmixing
It is true that roads in Goa need to be hot-mixed regularly in order to cover the pot-holes and to make driving a pleasant experience. Potholes are filled with a load of bitumen and rolled flat, but this layer always ends up to be several millimetres above the existing level of road. The significant increase in the road level every time a stretch is re-laid is posing a major problem for residents. During the monsoon season, the rain water can enter into low lying homes located by the roadside.
The rise in the level of the road also creates problems for vehicular owners who park their vehicles in the parking lot on the pavement. They will have difficulty while moving the vehicle in the reverse mode from the pavement onto the road. If the road has a sharp gradient, the vehicles which are moving along the edge of the road could be tilted to one side and there is also every possibility of a heavy vehicle falling on the side. Increase in the thickness of the road can also completely cover the sewerage with a thick layer of tar. Manholes present along the road need to be cleaned regularly. It is understood that the subgrade is not affected by any floods and water-logging problems when the minimum height provided is 0.6m. Importance needs to be given to the type of material used for hot-mixing and not just the thickness.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Politics of vendetta must end
This has reference to the report ‘Israeli airstrikes kill 5 in Damascus……’ (O Heraldo 21 February 2023).
Close on the heels of the massive earthquake which rocked Turkey and Syria, comes news of the airstrikes by Israel on Syria, bringing down residential settlements. Israel, a tiny nation surrounded by hostile neighbours, has capably handled all the powerful nations around them. However, there are two nations viz., Syria and Palestine with whom Israel seems to be facing several issues. In the past, the West Bank has been facing Israel airstrikes and now the airstrikes on Syria. Needless to say, there have been heavy casualties during these attacks, leading to loss of lives and property. There seems to be always an uneasy situation in the region.
It is said that Israel is God’s chosen nation, in the Old Testament. Israel had grown into a powerful country over the years and has advanced in all fields. One can only hope that good counsel prevails and peace talks are advanced and that Israel along with its neighbours, can live in lasting peace. And this same prayer goes for all nations around the world, especially the mindless war between Russia and Ukraine.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Goans are hospitable by nature
It is nice to see that the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata along with her two children holidaying in Goa. Our Goan fisherman Bab Francis Fernandes alias Pele gave a warm welcome to the Sunak family at the Benaulim beach. Pele, our Niz Goenkar brother requested the PM’s wife to take care of Goans in the UK.
Last year, our India’s national cricket player Sachin Tendulkar visited Goa and met Pele on the same beach where he enjoyed Goan traditional food.
Pele’s heart beats for the love of Goa and Goans and yes when the tourists come to Goa from different directions, he welcomes them with love. This is how we treat our valuable customers in Goa.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
