Communal harmony is Goa’s strength
We need to be very distraught to the sickening and senseless public discourse over religion that Goa is currently witnessing. Our forefathers must be rolling in their graves to the seeds of disharmony being mischievously sprouted in our peace loving Goa. If immediate steps are not taken to nip this malady, we may reach a point of no return.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has to crack the whip with an iron hand against all those trying to create needless fissures in our otherwise tranquil society. We need some concrete action as there can be no room for double talk. No one, however, well connected must be spared while disturbing our secular peace. Action against such elements has to be deterrent. The law must take its course against those creating rifts amongst us.
We should always thrive and live as a harmonious community as we have always been.
The world is grappling with enough problems and peace is the need of the hour while those trying to disrupt it should be conveyed a stern message.
Saint Francis Xavier has, is and will always be the ‘Patron Saint’ of us all regardless of our caste, religion or creed. Goa’s well-being and the happiness of all our fellow brothers and sisters should be our paramount and only concern.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Unorganised employers overworked?
In this modern high-tech world the subject of overworking occurs in highly rated companies. I don’t know what to call such business policy, but it goes something like this; ‘the more hours beyond a normal workday an employee puts in, the less productive they become.’ And in professional organisations where an employee works 8 hours, will definitely produce 8 or more hours of productivity. On the other hand if employee works beyond 8 hours and weekends, their productivity drops.
For example, if the employee is forced to work 12 hours, he or she will only complete 9 to 10 hours of productivity and the morale will be running at zero level with fatigue. Such poor practice will be unnoticed and carry on for years being stereo type as every new employee will step and adopt the same work practices. The reason being, there is no open communication with the unit head, no solicit feedback, no firm decisions, no appraisals to listen or praise or open discussion and no joy at work – just work long hours to secure one’s job and wait for the salaries.
Most such organisations make sure that the employees know the expectations and deliverables rather than assuming they do. Also, some don’t micro-manage or treat them as an adult rather make sure that they work most of the time without rest or breaks and look pretty busy.
As an employee, they have fear of losing their jobs, so they adopt the on-going culture and encourage the new joiner to join the band wagon.
Employers and employees must remember, “The shorter the hours, the larger the income and productivity. Don’t get into the habit of putting in long hours or you may be set down into a permanent clerk or a subordinate position until you retire – the employer does not have a issue as work goes on.”
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Dubious distinction in shutdowns
For the fourth year in a row India has earned the notoriety for imposing the most Internet shutdowns with 106 such instances recorded in 2021. The previous 3 years have seen 109, 134 and 121 blocks respectively which is something a self professed democracy cannot be proud about. Not surprisingly J&K bore the brunt of this government ‘largesse ‘ with 85 incidents of disruption in the wake of abrogation of article 370. The Sarkar turns off Internet services majorly for stifling dissent or any kind of online protest against its policies and actions; the most recent example being the attempt to suppress the farmer’s protest and obstructing press reporting on government atrocities.
Thankfully despite the interruptions, the government was not able to conceal its violent crackdown on dissent and lawful protest. There is another more damaging angle to internet switch offs, the criminal hindering of online education especially for children in distant areas. Covid has shown that ‘work from home’ and ‘online learning ‘ is now the only way forward given the pandemic’s persistence, by shutting down the Internet the insecure sarkar is doing a great disservice to the economy and the education sector much to its own peril. Instead of putting speed bumps and other obstructions on the Internet highway, the government should introspect upon its malafide intentions/actions of the past and reach the conclusion that it is doing more harm than good to the country.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Unity of our country is at stake
This has reference to the reports ‘Vasco police Iftar party…….and Goencho Saib issue’ …- Herald April 29, 2022. Kudos to the Vasco police for organising the Iftar party for the Muslims of the area and inviting members of other communities to join in. The Vasco police must be complimented for this bridge-building exercise. At a time when the country is torn apart on account of religion, language, etc, this move comes as a soothing balm over the wounds. We need more initiatives like this all over the country. Ours is a secular nation, a multicultural society and we need to preserve and protect the unity of our nation.
In the meanwhile however, there is a disturbing report on the front page of your newspaper, of yet another unnecessary controversy being created over the ‘Goencho Saib’ status of St Francis Xavier. A campaign is also being launched to make Bhagwan Parshuram as the Goencho Saib. Where are we heading if not on the road to disaster?
To what extent can we go to erase our colonial past? One can only hope that saner counsel prevails. It’s time for the silent majority to speak up. The integrity and unity of our great nation is at stake.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Don’t fall prey for China’s debt trap
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been facing a dire financial crisis due to over dependence on China for economic development. These countries are the huge beneficiaries of economic assistance from China which has become a miserable option. China is using debt trap policy to gain access to strategic assets. These two countries have dug their own graves for debt trap diplomacy.
The other countries like Maldives, Tajikistan, Madagascar are also reeling under Chinese debt. Despite repetitive warnings, they fell in to trap. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have deep institutional and socialistic problems that have persisted for decades. Their downfall was a no matter who lent them money. This is a lesson for remaining countries to not fall prey for China’s debt trap diplomacy.
K G Vilop, Chorao
International Workers’ Day
International Workers’ Day, which is celebrated on May 1 every year all over the world, has its origins in the labour union movement. It is also known as Labour Day in most countries like India.
The day is a celebration of labourers around the world. The day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement. Popularly known as May Day in India, the day is observed in countries such as India, Cuba and China, among other countries.
Labour Day, May Day or International Workers’ Day commemorates past labour struggles against workers’ rights violations, including lengthy workdays and weeks, poor conditions and child labour.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
