Travails of daily commuters
With reference to the letter ‘Public transport in Goa’ by Nelton D’Souza (Herald, 21 Jan) I couldn’t agree more. However, I am of the opinion that before venturing into new methods, what is already existing should be preserved. For instance, the public in general are exhausted raising their voices with regards to Kadamba transportation. Since I travel on daily from Panjim to Margao and vice versa , I understand the plight of the daily commuters. Pass holders and the general commuters have to send in long queues before boarding the bus and the duration between one bus to the other is 20 to 30 minutes atleast. Secondly, due to the introduction of the electric AC buses which are a game changer the travel is smooth and hence, many tourists prefer taking the bus because it is comparatively cheaper and comfortable. So naturally, the number of commuters have increased. So wouldn’t that be a reason enough to increase the frequency of buses ?
Secondly, one should see the state of the old Kadamba buses that ply in between. They are dirty, the windows are jammed shut and the seats ….they are playing a game on a different level.
Third and the most interesting part, you ask at the counter when the next bus is going to arrive , they say ….Amkam Khobor Na ! The TV screens above display timings of which era, I have no clue.
Whom are we supposed to take our woes to? Every second day someone is writing about the transport issues but I wonder if our transport minister is aware of the hardships of the daily commuters.
Valentina Colaco, by email
Pearl of the Orient – Lost!
Goa was called the pearl of the orient because it was special and unique. It was known for its pristine beaches and hospitable people the world over. Its food, its culture, its way of life was always known to be warm and welcoming. However that is all in the past now. Tar balls and littered garbage is now a common site on the beaches. Some of the beaches are not even safe anymore for women and children to tread alone even during the day. Its food has been poisoned by formalin, pesticides and preservatives. Its mangroves are being killed. Its waters are being diverted. Its fields are rendered uncultivable. Its hills are being cut, its lands are full of illegal constructions and its rivers are infested by casinos. Narcotics have reached deep into its villages. Its roads claim lives so very often. Its air carries shoot and pollutants. The very essence of Goa seems to have been lost. Reasons provided are many, yet none make sense.
People are seen protesting ever so often. Their plight being dismissed as obstacles in the way of development. Our voices are muffled, yet we need to be persistent. As this is not a fight, not even resistance, it’s an endeavour to find that is lost, to restore an identity we possessed, safety we once enjoyed. Maybe it’s a lost cause until they hear it from you.
Sonia Pereira, Majorda
Alladin’s Lamp is need of the hour
This has reference to ‘Goa does need Alladin’s lamp to light up it’s path of intelligence’ (Herald 20 January 2023).
That was a superb piece from the Herald. Alladin’s Magic Lamp – that is the need of the hour for Goa, beset by so many issues presently, diversion of the Mhadei river waters, the Mollem double-tracking issue and several other issues, besides political issues. Seriously, how one wishes there was Alladin’s Lamp to work its magic in Goa. It is good to see however, that the people of Goa are now waking up, taking matters into their hands. What they need now is perhaps, Alladin’s Lamp.
One of the most important point you mention is, Goa needs Alladin’s Lamp to light up the intelligence of our political leaders, who are betraying the public trust. Perhaps, all evil originates from there. They need Alladin’s Lamp to make them realise that power and wealth is not everything in life. There is something called morality and ethics which sadly has been buried in the sand. The day their conscience lights up, we shall see wonders. And one would say, Alladin’s Lamp is the need of the hour, not just for Goa but for the entire nation, which is in turmoil. Oh that Alladin’s Lamp! But then, there is another greater power, greater than any other Lamp, and that is, the Almighty God!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
The Modi question
BBC is on the world’s most popular and erudite news broadcaster.
The documentary titled, “India: The Modi Question” has raised several questions even in the British Parliament in which the Indian origin PM of UK Rishu Sonak has dubbed the documentary as “propaganda piece”.
Recently eleven rape accused have been released for good conduct. This is the same PM who was then the CM in the state of Gujarat
when Bilkis Bano was raped and fourteen of her relatives including a three year old child were killed and recently the Home Minister of India boasted of having maintained law and order in Gujarat with a strong hand.
Is this the Gujarat Model which is being projected and shown as an example to the rest of India and the world? The world is watching you Modi and Shah.
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Perils attached to jallikattu
It pains a lot to note that some youths have lost their lives in the jallikattu event held in different parts of Tamil Nadu during the recent Pongal festival like it happens every year. This is a harsh reality of the perils attached with this maddening rural sport. By nature Tamilians are more sentimental and are emotionally attached to things. But they must know that mawkishness, in any affair, cannot prevail over wisdom and truth. The pride and culture of Tamil Nadu largely lie in the classical and rich Tamil language, dating back to thousands of years, and definitely not in an uncouthly rural sport that invites deaths and injuries. If the rural youth of TN wish to display their valour, they can always join the Army and serve the nation with pride and distinction, rather than taking part in a brash sport like jallikattu.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
