Kejriwal, King Midas of India
This is in response to Sonia Pereira’s letter ‘Do we need legislators or Robin Hoods?’ (Herald, January 29). She has expressed apprehension towards the freebies offered by Kejriwal in particular.
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In my previous letter published by Herald I had maintained that Kejriwal is the Robin Hood of India and I was justified because he has proved to be so, which is why AAP were voted back to power for the third consecutive term.
Having said this I want to remind that when Kejriwal took over, Delhi government was in debt but he completely changed the situation to everyone’s surprise. Even Delhiites had raised this same question when he had offered freebies to them, as to how he would do this when previous governments had failed to do so. So his achievements bear testimony of his capabilities to become the “Man with the Midas touch.”
Dellon D’Mello, Vanxim
Indelible ink and democracy
In the wake of upcoming elections, all the parties are trying to gratify people with embellished promises that many have noticed as unethical and expressed their concerns. However, all want fair elections and practising the right by maximum voters. To ensure this, indelible ink has been playing a key role since the initial elections of Independent India.
The semi-permanent, quick dry nature of the indelible ink makes it indispensable to prevent the electoral fraud like double voting. The silver nitrate in the ink stains the skin in the presence of ultraviolet light making the mark, impossible to remove until external skin cells are replaced. The ink was made at National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi in 1952. For the first two general elections, NPL supplied the ink. However, the responsibility of producing the indelible ink later delegated to M/s Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL). Till date, MVPL manufactures ink for electoral purpose in India and also exports customised ink to many countries including Thailand, Singapore, Nigeria, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa. MPVL has supplied about 5.04 lakh bottles of indelible ink to the Central Election Commission for the upcoming election in five States.
Violet colour marked index finger of our left hand makes us feel ourselves as a responsible citizen.
Swati Nagar, Vasco-Da-Gama
Barty is new queen of Australian Open
The women’s tennis circuit has become very competitive. With twelve previous Grand Slam winners and an Olympic gold medallist in the fray for the Australian Open, the likelihood of a new champion became more of a possibility. But Australia’s World No. 1, Ashleigh Barty did not let go of her chance to clinch her third Grand Slam title as she overpowered the tenacious Danielle Collins of the United States in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 to become the first Australian in 44 years to clinch an Australian Open title at home. Also significant was the fact the Ashleigh Barty belongs to the indigenous Ngarigo tribe, which makes the feat more authentically Australian.
Seven bejewelled cameos, each with such dogged determination would aptly describe Ashleigh Barty’s every round of victory that exalted her to seventh heavens in the amidst the star-studded Melbourne firmament.
Ashleigh Barty had previously won the French Open and the Wimbledon and requires to win only the US Open to have the rare distinction to win all the four Grand Slams.
The fare that was dished out in the scintillating summit encounter enthralled and captivated the crowd, a memorable occasion to cherish for a long time.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Music has no barriers
This has reference to the article ‘Abide with the ideals of the Mahatma’ (Herald, January 29)
That was an apt quote from the great Mahatma Gandhi, in the present circumstances. It is unfortunate that the English hymn, ‘Abide with me’ had to beat a hasty retreat from the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony recently.
The authorities suddenly seem to have become allergic to certain things that are foreign. They now want only Indian music at such ceremonies. Kajal Chatterjee has posed some pertinent questions in this regard like, what is the exact definition of Indian music? He also asked right questions regarding the contributions of the so-called nationalists of today, towards the welfare of India apart from fragmenting the nation of all through the petty walls of religion, caste and language. Needless to say, we need to get over this pettiness and embrace the world with open arms. We are living in a Global World today.
We need to invoke the ideals of the great Mahatma Gandhi. It is not for nothing, that he has been called the ‘Mahatma’. It is not that he had some special Love for English or for the Christians, but he showed his magnanimity in embracing all that is good in others. By the way, we all need to understand, that music has no barriers of language, caste, culture, etc. ‘If music be the Food of Love, play on’, whether it is English, Hindi, Tamil, whatever! Come, Abide with Me!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Take vaccines, protect yourself from the virus
The Covid 19 positivity rate is higher in the state of Goa and the fresh new numbers of death cases are increasing each day, which is not a good sign. Third wave have already entered into the State and we are so careless that the people seen not wearing the face mask properly neither maintaining social distance. People have not yet learned the lesson from the previous deaths in the State due to Corona virus.
The public are so busy in Goa election campaign going to support this and that politician of different parties that they cannot focus on what is going around the corner. To show their faces on media and other people they forgot to take care of themselves and gather in groups where they are putting not only their lives on risk but also of their loved ones.
Many of the people of Goa have not yet taken the first dose and think that the virus will not affect them are playing with their own life.
Some fools think that if they take the dose they will die soon. Later if something happens they will only blame Government and not themselves. The numbers of death are mostly of the people who have not taken even single first dose. Later blaming the government is not a solution when we are not taking responsibility to keep safety of our health care. So as responsible citizens, take the vaccine dose as soon as possible.
Ronnie D’Souza, Chandor
Are Covid protocols followed in Goa?
The recent affidavit filed by the State Government before the High Court in Goa regarding the Covid situation in the State is a big open lie. The High Court should not rely on just a mere paper that is filled but see the reality on the ground. What protocols are being followed?
We are having daily deaths for a small State like Goa. The HC should make the Public Prosecutor sit in a car and tour around Goa and see what protocols are being followed if the PP cannot see them live on local TV channels.
Mass gatherings in huge numbers are seen during an induction of a politician in any party. Locals are allowed to do what they want – spit, roam in herds without masks and a bunch of tourists are fined for not wearing masks.
Is the law not applicable to politicians including the ministers and head of the State? Why are police not fining politicians/political parties and their supporters without masks?
Allen Noronha, Porvorim
