Voice of Voters is Supreme
Those 10 Congress MLAs, who in 2019 defected in rank breach of the people’s mandate may have escaped the brunt of the Court, but when the votes are counted on March 10, it is expected that at least seven of them will have to swallow the public anger and the bitter mandate of their voters who have given them their much deserved political rest. Counting day will only reiterate that in a democracy the Voice of the Voters is Supreme.
Those MLAs defected in rank violation of the Anti- Defection Law which came into force in 1985 as a step towards ensuring that morality prevails on the political turf by stemming the endemic of political defections by legislators who are motivated for the lure of power and monetary gains.
Goa has become a laboratory for every possible political experiment showing the nation the ways and means to circumvent the Anti-Defection Law, with party turncoats seen at its very hilt.
Goa has sadly witnessed midnight defections where the Governor had been merrily swearing in ministers in the wee hours.
The Anti- Defection law was to prevent corruption by way of horse-trading and on March 10 when votes are counted Goa will be a living testimony to the power of our precious and sacred vote.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Wait for people’s verdict
The Bombay High Court at Goa has finally dismissed the disqualification petition filed by the Congress seeking the disqualification of its 10 Congress MLAs who had switched from the party to the ruling BJP way back in 2019.
Well, this latest HC verdict has indeed come on expected lines as today most High Court (including Supreme Court) verdicts are delivered not based on valid arguments or common sense but entirely based on who’s ruling at the Centre and the State.
Of course, the 10 Congress MLAs/defectors might claim that the High Court has finally given them justice with this latest verdict but I feel that they should stop celebrating or getting so much over-excited at the moment because their real ultimate final verdict henceforth will not be decided in any court but by Goans themselves in the people’s highest court of Goa on 10th March 2022 very soon.
I therefore feel that they should wait for the people’s verdict to come out on 10th March and then decide to comment about their political future in Goa. Viva Goa… Viva Goenkar…
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Goans fed up of corrupt govt
The counting of votes is scheduled on March 10, the candidates are nervous. The response to the voting indicates that anti-incumbency wave. The Goa government has failed on every contentious issue. Goa’s politics has dismayed people and they want a party that is different. With unemployment at its peak, the corruption in the government recruitment process where bribes and favouritism was rampant has left the youth disillusioned. When people keep voting for politicians regardless of their tainted character, pathetic performance and with no credible expectations of change, then the political leaders do look upon the voters as fools. Only think is that the assets of candidates are growing disproportionately during their tenure. The people of Goa do not like the fact that politicians are changing parties like changing their clothes. Goans are fed up with this politics and want to teach such politicians a lesson.
K.G Vilop, Chorao
A salute to fire personnel
When we speak of ‘Fire Service’ the one thing that comes to mind is that of the fire personnel fighting to douse a blaze. These firemen are at the site in quick time to save the people trapped in the building, saving goods, and then putting off the fire with water pumps and foam pumps. In all these activities the fire personnel are at risk of getting hurt as they have to climb great heights on the ladder and could even suffer burn injuries despite wearing protective gear. However, it must be said that the fire personnel carry out multi-tasking activity as well. Besides attending to fire calls they also attend to emergency calls. These firemen were the frontline workers when COVID-19 pandemic hit Goa severely. The fire personnel were there to lend a helping hand during the Cyclone Tauktae which made a landfall in the Arabian Sea in May 2021. It is learnt that the fire personnel were reportedly kept on their toes attending to emergency calls pertaining to uprooting of trees on the roads, residential areas, electric poles, etc. The value of property saved by these brave souls could run in crores of rupees. The personnel also provided necessary help for citizens who were stranded due to the storm. Firemen not only answer major emergency calls but also help in minor incidents like saving a stray animal fallen into a well, etc. A salute to these brave hearts, who are taken for granted. They carry out almost the same task that army personnel do during peace times.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Govt’s online services
Recently I had applied for Divergence & Residence certificates from Mamlatdar, Mapusa. I was provided these certificates the next day after applying, which is highly commendable. I want to appreciate & thank the government officers for this, especially the Talathi of Salvador-do-Mundo, who always has a positive attitude towards the public. I appeal to the public to highlight those officials, who are honest and provide selfless services to the people.
Agnelo J Dias,
Salvador-do-Mundo
Let bygones be bygones
This is in reference to the news report “Many float artists to boycott Shigmo parade this year” (Herald February 24, 2022). Float artists must showcase their talent in the upcoming Shigmo parade this year. This event will receive widespread media coverage. Float artists should forget the promises made to them on the floor of Goa Legislative Assembly by the incumbent Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. Political class cannot come to the rescue of common man as it is futile to expect them to do so. Whether ruling elite help the poor like us or not, we must keep the show on.
Why lose an opportunity to earn international fame? The incumbent government is in its last lag. Maybe people of Goa have taught it a lesson in the recently held Goa Assembly Elections 2022. Let bygones be bygones. Participate in the Shigmo parade and be Goa’s pride.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
Revive Intruz culture
Carnival celebrations will be organised in Margao, Panjim and other venues beginning February 26, the focus for which should be on reviving the traditional Intruz culture. Focusing on Goenchi Lok Parampara (Goa’s folk traditions) by way of khell tiatr and other programmes would go a long way in presenting a different side of Goa to tourists and locals alike. Of late, Carnival has gone too commercial with the spotlight being on current issues and COVID. Our State has a rich tradition of folklore representing 50 major folk forms besides rich sociolinguistic heritage, dance forms like dekhni and fugdi, glorious history of maritime trade and commerce, cosmopolitan lifestyle, ancient ecotheological nature worship to deities in sacred groves, ecofeminist traditions and unique socio-cultural and economic institution of Gaunkaris or Communidades. The world converges on Goa for the carnival; it is high time it was introduced to the deeper aspects of our heritage rather than the usual fluff stuff of King Momo, music and merriment.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
