Holi is increasingly turning into a dangerous occasion because of the barbaric way in which the erstwhile noble and divine festival of colours is “celebrated” presently. It seems “enjoyment” in Holi depends upon the nuisance the brutes can create in public spaces. These brutes do not hesitate a bit to sprinkle rubbish, paint, deadly colours or chemicals on the pedestrians or commuters in public transport causing serious accidents, eye injuries and even death as had been witnessed in 2013 in Bombay where a person got killed and seven injured after getting attacked by chilli mixed colour and falling off the running train. What a barbaric fashion to immerse in a festival.
Also, thanks to certain philistines and vested interests; Holi is increasingly getting branded as the day in which “licence” is issued to molest the womenfolk. In this sorry perspective, it is natural that women will get subjected to sexual atrocities in the name of “celebrating” Holi with them. Retaliation is bound to happen, thereby giving rise to untoward incidents in all corners of the country. Again the young boys and girls, who try to attain “modernity” by engaging in public display of affection, discard all sense of decency and civility during Holi and visually pollute the environment. Thus practically Holi is becoming synonymous with anarchy, violence, death, molestation, drinking, indecency and illness of all hues. It is high time the concerned authorities should order the public to celebrate Holi with civility.
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkatta
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One God
History cannot be turned and twisted according to our likes, whims and fancies. What work Saint Mother Teresa did for the poorest of the poorest, neither Mohan Bhagwat or anyone will ever do today or in future.
Sir, why are we dividing Indians on either the lines of religion, caste, creed and class?
Bhagwat, let me enlighten you that Gods have not been created of religion, caste, creed and class. This I will challenge to the each and every creation of one and only one God, where according to each one’s choice they practice or get converted themselves into other’s belief. We have got no right to stop somebody converting themselves. We are no Gods.
Ivo Oscar Faleiro, Margao
Sadhvi attacks Mother Teresa
Senior leader of BJP Sadhvi Prachi while asking her followers to boycott films of the three Khans has also in a fiery speech claimed that Mother Thresa indulged in conversions by luring people over to Christianity under the pretext of service. Now BJP leaders like Sadhvi too have joined the RSS chorus in making false allegations about the service rendered by Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity.
Looks like it has become a fashion nowadays with the Sangh Parivar to criticize Mother Teresa, but if she was alive today she would not have bothered at all because she only lived by example and as she once said “A life not lived for others is not a life.” I’ m sure if she was there today she would have invited these so called leaders who are busy criticizing her to visit her homes for the destitute , lepers , abandoned babies and the dying she personally picked up from the filth of the gutters , a job no such Sadhvi would dare to do !
Allwyn N. D’Souza, Saligao
Youngistan perceptions
Young people have their own ideology, ideas, perceptions, dreams and aims and they don’t want anyone to interfere in their efforts to achieve those. They refuse to listen to elders’ views on the choice of education, employment, profession, marriage as they think they are masters of their own destiny and parents are the means and not the end.
Most young people believe that the duty of the parents ends with giving birth, providing education, food, clothing etc. Once they come of age only they can decide on their future.
This is a dangerous trend as everyone will agree that young people have their own dreams but they should also respect the dreams and advice of their parents. You people who try to fly high must not forget that they have to come back to earth, which belongs to their parents.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
