Save our Goan land
Goa, a place of millennials which happens to be a major reason to put it in a bad spot time and again. Concerning the recent hideous and unfortunate event that took place in St Cruz on Saturday compelled me to be nothing but apprehensive about the future of Goa.
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Whether you call it a repugnant act by some goons or the inconvenience on the part of Goa Police as they remained inefficient to keep a check on when and how the goons were able to break through at 3am to attack the victim whereas current guidelines suggest that no person can move out of their house between 11pm to 5am.
Given the sensitivity of the issue, Goa Police has to some show extra efforts to detect bad happenings, to punish those who cause offence to the state and its people and especially those involved in this particular criminal activity in order to restrict any more chaos and misery as the ultimate safety lies in their hands. Let Goans not gaze for safety but ensured to be given to them freely.
Rosella Luis, by email
Deteriorating law and order situation
According to the shocking news reported in all the media, gang war erupted in Santa Cruz , taking the life of one gang member and resulting in the arrest of nearly ten gangsters, some of them juveniles, involved in the attack.
According to the press reports, this attack was due to rivalry between two rival gangs over the jurisdiction for extraction and collection of hafta from poor vulnerable labour contractors, fruit vendors, scrap dealers , pimps and other illegal or legal activities, going on in jurisdiction of Old Goa Panjim, Merces and Taleigao, and perhaps elsewhere.
The target of the attack is also allegedly reported to be a history-sheeter. Is it conceivable, then, that all these gangsters’ illegal activities could be going on without the knowledge of the Intelligence, administrative, investigative and law enforcement agencies? It is really a matter of great concern to the government and to the citizens that Goa has come to such a sorry pass and state of affairs.
Surely, if the heads of our government and of our law enforcement agencies put their collective administrative mind and will together, it should be possible to once and for all, stamp out this terrible cancer which is eating into the body and consuming this once very honest and peaceful state of Goa.
Rosario Menezes, Vasco
Konkani gives unique identity to Goa
Our Goa is an international tourist destination and Konkani is our State language. But it is so disheartening to say the least that in Goa when you dial any telephone number from mobile or landline the announcements/ voice computer messages are always in Marathi, Hindi or English and not in Konkani.
I am not against Marathi, Hindi or English but being in Goa Konkani should have been included along with other languages. When You dial from here to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat , West Bengal etc you hear distinct that particular state language dialer-messages/announcements etc. The Konkani language gives an unique identity to Goa and Goans whichI feel should be used here.
Requesting the telecomm broadcasting minister and concerned authorities to include Konkani along with other languages on their telephones and Mobile diallers in Goa.
Mathew Julius D’Costa, Curchorem
Infrastructure in pathetic state
In the State of Goa, with the required infrastructure in a very pathetic state the online classes for students is a mission impossible. Ribandar is part of Panaji City but our power supply is very erratic and the internet connectivity is so frequently down and when it works it is very slow. If this is the sad state of affairs in and around the capital city, one can imagine what must be happening in the hinterland.
The government must ensure that there is proper internet connectivity across the State. It is pathetic that there is no mobile connectivity even inside Dabolim airport. In a democracy with good governance, interaction between government and people is paramount. A Government cannot function in isolation. A strong interaction infrastructure and the means to access the internet, paves the way for effective operations and a smooth flow of information between government and the people, between the centers of learning and the children and parents at home.
In Goa over the years, crores of rupees have been poured in the name of e-Governance but the desired results have not been achieved. Most of the Government websites are non-functional or not updated. With e-Governance the bureaucracy should have shrunk but has infact been bloating by the day while only further burdening an already depleted State exchequer. The government must also ensure that there is proper internet connectivity across the State. It is pathetic that there is no mobile connectivity even inside the Dabolim airport. Unless there is a concerted focus on providing all the required proper infrastructure required, e-governance will remain a dream with transparency and accountability in governance evading us.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Massacre of our jawans
The brutal incident that took place on the night of June 15, 2020 in the Galwan Valley when Chinese soldiers intruded into our territory and killed 20 of our jawans shook each and every household and every Indian here and abroad. Such incidents have taken place earlier in Natula in 1967 where 80 of our Jawans were slaughtered by the Chinese army. It has also happened in Pulwama recently when 40 of our Jawans were killed by the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir Valley.
Today their bodies have reached their homes in different states and were cremated with lots of locals accompanying the carriages for final rites showing signs of solidarity and compassion with their families. The people of India are mourning along with their families. When such mass murders of our soldiers take place, the government of India should declare mourning at least for 3 days throughout India as these soldiers though belonging to different states, castes and religions and act as one entity guarding our borders day and night and ensuring our safety.
When Israeli soldiers returned with the hostages from Uganda on 4th July 1976 an incident had taken place at Ben Guirion airport in Tel Aviv which shook the entire top brass of PM Rabin’s cabinet. In the process of freeing the hostages from the hijackers Israel lost only one commando Jonathan Yoni. Golda Meir ex-PM of Israel who was present at the airport cried bitterly for the loss of Yoni. When consoled by senior colleagues “Meir retorted why even one commando should have died”. The martyrdom of our jawans should not go in vain.
Olinda D’ Cruz, Aldona
Will Cuncolim soon be Covid containment zone?
With number of cases rising in State it’s matter of great concern for people of Cuncolim and surrounding areas. Cuncolim’s neighbouring villages of Ambelim, Akamol, Betul, Morpilla already have found patients infected with Covid-19.
Cuncolim Industrial Estate could well be a major hotspot as many industry owners are getting their labour from neighbouring states without doing testing. Also it should be brought in light that all these factories which are run have semi skilled staff who are all outsiders. It’s always said precaution is better than cure. Our bosses are getting their share so they are quiet. But it’s our turn to keep health of our ownself and our dear ones intact.
Hope the wise acts and keep our village and villagers safe.
Rahul Dessai, Cuncolim
