On September 8 every year, we celebrate the feast day of Mother Mary. But not many of us actually venerate or revere our Blessed Mother. Families have no time to pray the rosary. And if ever it is prayed, the Our Fathers and the Hail Marys are recited just like parrots without having any meaning at all, because the head of the family has just returned home from work and is tired. Besides, the wife has to prepare the meals and the children have to watch their favorite serial or programme on TV. At Bandra, people go to the fair, but have no time to go to the Church to venerate Our Lady of the Mount. Even at Irla in Vileparle, it is the same thing. I would blame the parents and not the children for not teaching their children to pray.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
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Unhealthy precedent
India today has many ministers with criminal backgrounds. Becoming the PM does not bestow upon one any ‘divine’ or omniscient powers. The forced address of students by the PM is a frightening precedent. If the former CM of UP becomes the PM then what is to stop him from addressing students and telling them that ‘boys will be boys?
In a democracy all material/books meant for students are thoroughly screened by experts. The PM’s speech should have followed the same process before being ’forced’ onto the students. This is totally immature and the present BJP needs to be told this in clear terms.
R Fernandes, Margao
Chacha Modi
It was very wise thought of our PM to interact with the children who are the future of the country. The message is very clear that one cannot only focus on studies all the time but need to sweat and play outdoor games to stay fit. It is time to built stronger India and to work in India itself because many Indian students travel abroad and have contributed to other countries’ success. Now with India back again opening its door for businesses we hope that our children do not need to travel outside for jobs. Thousands of Goans work in the gulf and shipping industry with good pay slips in short time but the time spent without family and children around is priceless. Hope the children will get the message of the prime minister ‘come, make in India’
Dixon Vaz, Fatorda
Chicken shops
It is horrific to see how live chicken are killed in the shops under the full glare of the customer. A few drops of water is first poured into the mouth of the bird and in a most barbaric way the throat is slit open and the chicken is then transferred into a container where it flutters it’s wings till it dies. At times little children who accompany the parents to buy chicken at these shops witness this barbaric and nauseating way of killing these birds which could even leave a lasting impression on these young minds. NGOs who are looking after the welfare of animals and birds should see to it that a better and a more humane way is introduced in these shops.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Signboards in Calangute
Michael Lobo, Calangute MLA, has rightly stated that they should be given a reasonable wage of about Rs 350-400 for labour jobs and that there should be a ceiling on wages of migrant workers.
I fully endorse this view with a proviso. This should not be limited to migrant workers only. There must be boards in prominent places in Calangute displaying taxi/auto fares from Calangute to various destinations with maximum amount payable.
I would also like to see signboards in Calangute liquor shops displaying rates for various brands of liquor. I have seen one shop ripping off domestic tourists giving a bad name to the trade and other honest shops in the area.
And finally I would like to see a board in the Calangute fish market displaying prices of various varieties of fish with the maximum price for each variety .
Now please don’t tell me that this is a question of ‘demand and supply’.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Save Goa
I appreciate and totally support our Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on a ban on briefs of domestic tourist. I know Goa depends on Tourism but in the name of tourism it should not be a nuisance, a mess and headache to our Goan people. These domestic tourist are careless and irresponsible. They come to Goa cook and eat drink anywhere on the road side and leave their mess garbage there. They don’t roam with proper clothing and sometimes even harass the foreign tourists on the beaches. This brings a bad image on Goa and Goan people. Goans throughout the world are known for decency, modesty and peace. I request the govt and our Chief Minister to do something and save our peaceful Goa.
Jerry Gomes, Navelim
