Govt must take care of the homeless
People in power have an easy and cushy life often provided for through the sweat and toil of others. Everything from plush accommodation to transportation including all perks is paid by the taxpayer so they may not realise or appreciate the plight of the poverty stricken. Every Government has three responsibilities towards its citizens; it must protect, provide for and invest in its people.
A worthy government cannot afford to be negligent about being caring and concerned about the poor and those in distress. In Goa we have a lot of homeless persons sleeping on the footpaths and at bus-stops while even weathering the cold weather and rains. It is imperative that relief is given to such homeless people spread across the cities of Goa by ensuring that the authorities contemplate the setting up of night shelters for such humans in anguish.
Another aspect that also needs the attention of the government is the plight of people living in hunger some of whom are very old, feeble, vulnerable and needy. It should be the thrust of the government to set up Food banks in all the cities of the State so that no one has to endure hunger. It needs Government leadership that focuses on the welfare of its citizens by providing for its needy citizens and by galvanising, coordinating and investing in the efforts of others, the Haves, to reach out and support the Have-nots. Food banks would be one such example of a valuable service.
It beggars belief that Goa, one of the richest States of India, should witness a growing number of homeless and destitute people, many through no fault of their own but who are victims of lack of opportunity and failure of government policy and support.
May those in power have the vision and determination to address these two issues as a priority by making it their firm resolution for the New Year alongside fighting relentlessly the destructive pandemic. They will be blessed abundantly by the Almighty God for being caring and compassionate to those who need it the most.
Our Government would benefit from the wise words from Nelson Mandela, one of the great leaders of our time when he stated, ‘as long as poverty, injustice and inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest’.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Goans and Olympics
It is observed and noticed that no Goan sportsperson has made it to the Olympics since 1948 whereas many Goans who reside outside Goa and got themselves trained in whichever State they reside has already made it to the Olympics. What is lacking here? Is anyone taking interest in this regard? And why it took so many years?
If Goan sportspersons residing outside Goa can make it to the Olympics and win medals, why sportspersons residing in Goa cannot make it? Goan sportpersons residing outside Goa who won medals for India in Olympics are Leo Pinto, Lawrie Fernandes, Walter D’Sousa and Maxie Vaz in 1948 Olympics in England. Fortunato Franco and John Mascarenhas in 1960 in Rome. Merwyn Fernandes in 1980 in Moscow and Leander Paes in 1996 in Atlanta.
Our Goa Government, sports ministry, sports councils and other sports bodies should do something for the upliftment of Goan sportpersons so that they achieve what other Goans have done.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Love and laws
“Love jihad” means war against love, the nomenclature for such a law is wrong if such a thing exists, is an issue need to be dealt with more ways than one. But, I am not sure how many marriages involving Hindu women and Muslim men are happening through force and allurement. A law against “love jihad” is regressive and something that is not needed at this point. Awareness, I suppose is the key to such a issue.
A person has every right to live with anybody of his or her choice. This is essential to their right of life and personal liberty, as guaranteed in the constitution. States should not interfere in the relationship of two adults. There are so many inter-religious marriages that are going strong and do not face any problems. To generalise is wrong.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Marvel superheroes party in Goa!
Doctors and nurses in the US released a harrowing video begging people not to gather for the Seasons holidays saying it will cripple the hospitals system!
The Supreme Court said lack of implementation of SOPs is causing the Covid virus to spread like wild fire. On December 22, a woman passenger from the UK, tested positive, but left the IGI airport by train to Vizag. Health officials reached her residence before her but still had problems tracing her train contacts.
In Goa, thousands of tourists roam all over flouting SOPs and the SC. Goa is unfazed and happily handing out permissions for public use of sound. No measures to warn tourists of penalisation for failing to observe SOPs.
Goa is yet to trace 604 UK passengers and not bothered at all to trace their contacts.
Doctors are silent. Govt hould watch them releasing videos like their US counterparts. But yes, when it comes to fees, US rates are welcome.
How can such indifference to the public’s health and safety actually be a ‘hallmark’ of Goa’s hospitality? It can only mean that all the DC and Marvel superheroes are holidaying in Goa! And that they have come alive! Or it means we have lost our senses. Hopefully, other States will demand quarantine to people coming from Goa.
R Fernandes, Margao
Has Covid-19 ruled our values too?
Often values are not consciously chosen, they are based on deep beliefs that people learn from their parents when they are so young that they accept what their parents say and do without any questions, right?
But in reality, how many of us have respected such values taught by parents?
I am confident to say that those lucky who live with their parents, as and when they step out of the house are reminded of wearing mask and to keep up with other SOPs – guidelines of Covid19 – the question is, do all reciprocate evaluating the value of this important healthy advise and why it is important?
These parents think both ways, they not only wish you to get infected with this deadly Coronavirus, but should not bring it at home and give/share with those innocent who have fearfully not stepped out of the house for months.
In reality, as we have heard and could not believe how many much older parents and grandparents have left this world due to Coronavirus, don’t we think they innocently fell prey and became the victims of Covid-19 carriers, as their own ignored the values?
Therefore, it is not too late to pay importance to parents instilling good values. The truth is, if we don’t accept this responsibility, then the void may be filled by negative forces in our culture that do not support healthy morals and ethics for our families. Value is the amount of worth ascribed to something, the degree to which something is prized or has merit and are the beliefs that each person considers are important for himself and possibly for humanity as a whole.
So, let’s practise rather falling prey to Coronavirus, which has a Variant Covid with 70% higher transmissible rate than the previously dominant strain. As New Year 2021 is around the corner, let us add this value of staying safe to the list of our ‘2021 Resolutions’. Wishing you a Happy, Prosperous and safe New Year 2021.
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
