Why stop funds for charity institutions?
It is really unfortunate (though expected) from the Current Ruling Ideology to refuse to renew Mother Teresa’s Charity FCRA status. With India being on the worst countries rankings of World Hunger and Child Malnutrition, will Indian Central BJP Government now step in to help the disadvantaged people or keep their focus to only improve the profits of a few specific Corporates?
Also can the Government be fully transparent on funds being given to political parties and not keep it in top secrecy?
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Statues of legendary footballers
A new park in Calangute was inaugurated near the Arpora-Calangute Bridge which features the statue of the legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. It is learnt that some locals held a black flag demonstration on the sidelines of the installation of the statue of a foreign player when a statue of a great Goan footballer from Calangute would be more appropriate.
It must be said that Cristiano Ronaldo is a ‘citizen of the world’ and cannot be confined to any single country. The legendary footballer is one of the all time greats of the game and an inspiration to young footballers. Football being a State sport, the youth of the State can follow in the footsteps of the legendary footballer and achieve great heights thereby bringing laurels to themselves and the state of Goa. It must be said that the statue has not been installed to gain recognition for the most well known sportsperson in the world. The world-class footballer does not need recognition in a small state like Goa.
The statue has been installed as an example of what can be achieved on the football field. Of course Calangute and Goa have produced great footballers who have donned the national colours. A stadium or a stand could be named after these great Goan footballers. However, only a statue of the greatest world footballers will give inspiration for budding footballers. Besides the statue of Cristiano Ronaldo, statues of Lionel Messi, Pele and other legendary footballers could also be installed in parks and gardens in Goan villages.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Curbs needed to avoid new infections
Experts have opined that Goa will have to act fast and start testing all travellers irrespective of their vaccination status. While Maharashtra, Delhi and Kerala were quick to impose curbs, our government has been lax even in implementing existing Covid protocols; it has been dilly dallying despite there being a huge influx of tourists for Christmas and New Year’s as well as election rallies.
Goa recorded 112 new infections yesterday which should serve as a warning bell, the government should not wait to impose curbs before all hell breaks loose driven by the immune escape Omicron variant which breaches even the armour of double vaccination. Interstate buses, trains and flights to Goa are running packed to capacity with testing on arrival only being carried out in name, for a small ‘convenience fee’ you can even skip that.
Politicians are least bothered to protect Goans, a case in point being Sunburn. “The EDM festival shall not be allowed to take place as I have personally rejected the proposal”, thundered the CM but he has conveniently gone back on his word; the festival is in full swing under a different name and might turn out to be a super-spreader event, the sarkar’s doublespeak and apathy is appalling.
The State asks the populace to be on guard but then goes about exhorting people to assemble in tens of thousands for their poll programmes, the sheer hypocrisy of it all. The powers that be must take a serious view of things and strictly enforce mandatory Covid protocols.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
A new feather in Goa’s cap?
Apropos to “Delhi businessman with 80 people attack iconic Souza Lobo shack” (Herald December 29, 2021), cry my beloved Goa. This was the first thought that came to mind after reading this violent episode on the world famous Calangute Beach.
Outsiders believe that Goa is a Casino capital of India. That drugs are easily available in Goa. That one can get laid in Goa irrespective of his/her age. That the booze flows freely. That the beaches are quiet and the sun is shining in Goa round the clock. That the beach sand is velvety smooth and that nobody will object if you get drunk and puke all over it. In the warped imagination of those for whom Goa is a weekend vacation destination, Goa means casino, prostitution, narcotics, sunny beaches, Tall palm trees, A paradise on earth where mermaids with sexy two pieces on are waiting round the corner to seduce men off their feet. What happens in Goa stays in Goa.
Now the marketing gurus and content writers can add in their brochures, visit Goa for what is already known. In the year 2022, we have added a new attraction through a popular demand.
Guns are likely to come out and tourists are fortunate enough to witness live gunfights.
There won’t be any lights, camera, action kind of warning. Trigger happy peace haters will begin to wield guns and start shooting at anybody within sight. Come witness the live gun fights. If Coronavirus does not get you, one of the bullets surely will. The end is night. Cry my beloved Goa.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
Stop foreign funds of right wing outfits
Why is the BJP government at the Centre having different yardstick for RSS right wing and minority missionaries? They should renewal FCRA licence of St Mother Teresa missionaries who take care of refugees, blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor and homeless of all religions. Despite this they are suspected of conversations. That is the reason the BJP government ruled States are framing wrong charges against minorities.
The missionaries are working in far flung rural areas of different States and they work for the welfare of the poor and the needy. If the right wing groups think the missionaries are on the converting spree then why the Christian minority population is just 3 per cent? If conversions were going on the population of catholic would have increased by 20% which is not happening so where is the question of conversions? So this people instead of targeting missionaries should do the work of missionaries. Their aim appears to divide and rule.
The government is trying to make India a developed nation and smart cities without developing the villages it is almost impossible do it as Mahatma Gandhi said and I quote “if you want to develop the country first develop villages” because there is huge potential in the villages if taped will help the economy and also be a developed country the right wing group should remember that all religious communities have given their blood for the nation and not just Hindus.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Tax collection target
Expectations that the Centre may exceed the tax collection target for the current financial year by a broad margin must bring cheer. We expect the tax revenues to do better even compared with the pre-Covid year of 2019-20. The Centre is hoping to mop up Rs22.2 lakh crore in tax collections this fiscal but has already reached Rs19 lakh crore.
With four months remaining in the current financial year, it will likely exceed the target by a wide margin. Data shows the net direct tax collections from April to mid-December grew by over 60 per cent compared to the corresponding period last Financial Year, which augurs well.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
