Goa has lost a persuasive crusader
In the death of Dr Joe D’Souza, a former distinguished Professor at the Goa University, our State has lost a persuasive crusader against the prevailing rampant environmental degradation of Goa. He has left us when we needed him the most.
An outstanding Microbiologist that he was, Dr Joe had a thorough mastery on the subject. I remain very indebted to all his vital guidance over a decade ago while battling before our High Court the issue of the very hazardous chemical waste pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
Very simple and unassuming Dr Joe never ever complained about his failing health while his concern till his very end was always on the environmental deluge facing Goa. A prolific writer that he was, he never ever hesitated to take on the erring authorities head-on. A fearless exponent on social causes he always was while leading from the front.
It is a pity that those in power did not heed his advice on many matters within his expertise. In fact, it is a measure of the decay of our public institutions that even Goa University treated him the way it did — with indifference to him and aloofness towards Goa’s environmental issues.
May the invaluable contribution and steadfast commitment of our departed Dr Joe be a source of motivation for the youth to work towards being dedicated guardians in preserving whatever remains of Goa. Cry not for Dr Joe, Goa… save the tears for our own fate!
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Phogat murder case
Sonali Phogat, a Haryana BJP functionary and Tik Tok star, died in Goa. After the port-mortem report, police registered a murder case. If CBI has to enquire each and every case, from criminal to corruption case, what for the State police is there? Goa needs to crackdown on the druggie dens. When Sushant Singh Rajput case was handed over to CBI, what was the outcome? No conclusion has been drawn. It raises serious concern over the mysterious circumstances of her death. Her husband Sanjay Phogat also died under mysterious circumstances back in 2016. But these tragedies have become suspicious. But such cases need to be thoroughly investigated by the Police.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Ease visa regime
The east has emerged as the most viable option for budget conscious Indian tourists due to sky-high airfares to the West and long delays in the visa issuing process especially for the US, UK and Schengen region. As a result nations like the UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Maldives have become the destinations of choice for travellers with limited financial resources at their disposal, value for money tourists have little option but to look east. The backlog of visa requests owing to the pandemic has made many nations take upto 4 months in processing current visa applications and the ticket prices for favoured Western destinations are running into 6 figures, a Mumbai – London economy class return fare starts at Rs 1.5 lakh, New York will set you back by a minimum of Rs 1.9 lakh. Compare this with the fact that an all inclusive weeklong Thailand and Vietnam trip will cost under Rs 1 lakh. Indian tourists are being assiduously wooed by tourism boards of most South East Asian nations as they look for a post Covid recovery of fortunes. Many of them offer visa on arrival with minimal or no travel insurance requirements; why? Some of them are not even seeking ‘fully vaccinated’ status for travellers any more. India too must make concentrated efforts to woo tourists from neighbouring countries and ease its visa regime on a reciprocal basis after all we too need those tourist dollars badly to kickstart the economy.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Are Goans
3rd class citizens?
With regards to the recent death case of a prominent BJP Haryana politician, firstly let me state that I do hope that the truth comes out and if there are any guilty individuals involved, then they should be severely punished.
I have said that with respect. I would like to come to some other serious murder cases involving Goans including an ex-priest and a young Goan girl, who both died under mysterious circumstances and clearly showed questionable investigation flaws! How is it that the CM cannot make public statements and ensure that the Goa Police investigate these deaths with the same seriousness as being done for a BJP out of State politician?
Is this case seriously taken only because it’s national BJP profile case? Are Goans relegated to 3rd Class citizens in their own State with the lowest or no importance?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Freedom of speech
India is a democratic country. And each of its citizens has the right of ‘Freedom of speech’. For example, if any politician may be minister, MLA sarpanch, panch, cop, etc, India’s citizens have a right to correct them, through their writings in the newspaper or while delivering speeches on necessary places. Religious leaders have the right to deliver a speech like ‘vote for good party and a good candidate, not corrupt, criminal or uneducated. (But not mentioning the name of a party or candidate).
Edgar Martins, Chinchinim
A monumental collapse
The Supertech Noida twin towers at Noida collapsed on Sunday like a pack of cards, years after a long-drawn battle over the illegal structure. After a 9-year legal battle, Supertech Twin Towers turned into dust. As part of 360 degree preventive measures to counter environmental impact of the Twin Tower destruction anti-Smog guns have been installed in various locations around the site in Sector 93 A to help in countering the resulting dust post demolition. Debris from the collapsed Noida twin towers is a major health hazard for people in surrounding areas. Those responsible for these illegal towers must be made to pay reparations for this. The Twin Towers Apex and Ceyane in Noida are a part of the Emerald Court project at Sector 93A constructed on land allotted by Noida authority. It was indeed a monumental collapse.
C K Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
Centre set a great example
The demolition of Supertech twin towers was necessary to show that in India justice can be delayed but not denied. The decision was welcomed by all citizens. The illegal twin towers were demolished in just 12 seconds with the help of 3,700 kg of explosives cost around Rs 20 crore thus ending a nine yearlong legal battle. This was a successful as there was no major change in air quality in nearby areas and minimal damages in adjacent society. The Centre set a great example for all people who were planning to build an illegal building in nation. The Centre needs to be more sharp eyed and can make strict laws for constructing a building and real estate has to follow proper guidelines.
Somya Agrawal, Ujjain
Proud moment for Goa
It was a historic and proud moment for Goa and Goans throughout the world as Pope Francis elevated Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao as one of the new cardinals at the Vatican. Goa Archdiocese gets its first cardinal after 465 years. Aldonkars and people of Goa were praying for Filipe Neri in their special prayer service in the church. The Church in India rejoices over two new cardinals from our country. The two Indian cardinals are Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferraro from Goa and Archbishop Anthony Poola from Hyderabad. Archbishop Filipe Neri and Anthony Poola are now cardinals. We the people of Goa congratulate both our new Cardinals from India and pray that the Almighty bless them to carry out His work throughout the world.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
