Villagers still crawl under parked trains
It is shocking to note that even ten years on, villagers in Cansaulim still crawl under goods trains parked on the tracks to get to the other side of the railway tracks. It is understood that South Western Railway is yet to construct an underpass for the villagers as files pertaining to the crucial project are reportedly gathering dust. The traditional path to the beach passes through the tracks. In order to avoid crossing the tracks the only option is to walk the 2.5 kms road. People choose crossing the tracks as it is a short cut. But then this option could cut short their lives.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
It is understood that two years back a woman lost her leg as she came under the wheels of the train while crossing the tracks by crawling under the coach of the train. It is as if people in the village are living in some remote area of the country where development has not reached so far or they are living several decades back in time. Elderly citizens and school children are also forced to cross the tracks. The issue has been raised at various forums by the villagers but has not yielded any result thus far.
Double tracking of the railway line along the route will only increase the risk the villagers face. If not a foot-over bridge, an underpass needs to be built on a war footing.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Climate change
Rain and thunder until late November for Goa; worldwide record temperatures; droughts; fires and now schools closed in Delhi because of the life threatening polluted atmosphere. Action must be taken now, everywhere by everybody, to try and save the world for our children and future generations which makes me wonder if the Indian Government promise for carbon neutrality by 2070 not two generations too late?
Dranreb Aclos, UK
Old Goa to ‘sold’ Goa
Old Goa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also recognised as such by the ASI, it is the duty of every Goemkar to preserve its historical and religious character for the coming generations to enjoy. The construction of a bungalow (nearing completion now) within the 1 km buffer zone of St Cajetan’s church and the plan of which was sanctioned by fraudulent representations is extremely distressing.
It is pertinent to note that the conditional NOC granted by the authorities only permitted ‘repairs’ and even that was violated. The site inspection report by the Superintending archaeologist clearly mentions that a fake photo of a dilapidated structure in Pernem taluka (a good 40 kms away) was submitted to obtain clearances by deceit. The said house belongs to a fashion designer and spokesperson of the ruling party (double engine growth anyone?) and has been erected flouting all norms of the TCPA, heritage zones, Old Goa Development Plan and trampling upon the cultural sensitivities of Goans.
As custodians and guardians of our glorious heritage we have to present a united front and oppose tooth and nail, this ravishing of Goa by the political sharks who hypocritically talk of Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn at every turn.
I fear that if matters are allowed to drift this way, then the day is not far when Old Goa shall become (S)old Goa and end up as only a chapter or worse still, a footnote in history books. Get up, stand up, stand up for your land.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Fine for not segregating waste
This has reference to the report ‘Cortalim VP to impose fine for non-segregation of waste’ (Herald, November, 22 2021). That is a good step undertaken by the Cortalim Panchayat, of imposing fines for non-segregation of garbage and littering of waste. When persuasion and appeals don’t work then you need to crack the whip. All luck to the panchayat in their endeavour to create a clean village.
Ideally, all other villages, towns, cities across the country need to take this issue of garbage seriously. Today there was a newspaper report on the cleanest cities in India. We need to ask ourselves, where do we stand among the cleanest cities, the cleanest towns, cleanest villages? The reports says Cortalim locals are educated and they are being requested to co-operate with the authorities in this huge task of garbage segregation and disposal. Being educated helps but what we need is that sense of responsibility, of sincerity. That feeling should come from within.
This is true for all educated people all across the country. The slums of course, are mostly uneducated and a difficult lot to tackle but they also must be made to understand their responsibility. We all need to co-operate and ensure cleanliness around us.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Goans have spoken, loud and clear
This is with regards to “Thousands of Goan feet at the old Goa protest, stamp their fight for Goa’s past & future” (Herald, November 22, 2021).
Old Goa witnessed a freedom movement on Sunday. People turned out in large numbers to protest against an illegal construction by a high profile member of the ruling party.
Once again the brave Goans have led from the front. They have demonstrated that Goans will not be cowed down when it comes to protecting their self-respect, their pride, their unique identity, their past and their heritage.
People in large numbers at the protest have sent a shiver down the spine of politicians cutting across the party lines. When people are united and show the courage to keep fighting against the atrocities committed by the leaders they elect to represent, it is nothing but a revolution.
Yes, a revolution is underway. Goans are tired. They have had enough. And, now it is time to raise slogans, sing songs praising the bravery of fighters ready to face the bullets if denied their basic right to protest.
What an electrifying atmosphere! Our people of Goa have spoken loud and clear. Are the powers that be listening? They have no other option now. If they continue to turn a blind eye to this larger-than-life protest, the answer will be through the ballot boxes in 2022. Viva Goa!
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
The ordinary and the political thief
A well timed WhatsApp message I received from a good friend of mine. As election is closing, this could be the most appropriate time to share the same with the readers and it goes this way. What is the difference between an ordinary thief and a political thief? The ordinary thief steals your money, your bag, your watch and your jewelry but the political thief steals your future, your career, your education, your health and your business.
The ordinary thief will choose whom to rob but you (the voter) are the one who choose the political thief to rob you. We blindly say we are not blind – who is deceiving who?
The ridiculous part of the whole issue is that we will fight to defend and protect our belongings from the ordinary thief but we fight with each other to defend and protect the political thief. With so much bad going around in our beautiful Goa (be it destruction, crimes, agitations to fight for justice etc) we, seriously need to pause and think and think really hard to act wisely if not for our sake but at least for the sake of our future generation. Political thief’s have a single point agenda “Me, Myself”. It is up to each one of us eligible voter whether to submit ourselves to these thief’s for some petty favours received or to think of the better of our future generation and protection of our beautiful God gifted Goa.
Edwin Fernandes, Aldona
