On Monday, Jayalalithaa, known as Amma to millions of her admirers, was acquitted in the disproportionate assets case. The news of her acquittal was greeted with wild celebrations across the state.
Amma is venerated as a goddess by her admirers because the plethora of welfare schemes initiated by her. Among the most popular of the schemes is Amma Kitchen which sells idlis for a rupee each and a full staple meal for Rs five. Little wonder Amma has attained god-like status in the state.
In Goa we have our own ‘free kitchens’ serving empty promises. What the poor local people need is an affordable square meal . But Rs five cannot buy you a raw sardine leave alone a full cooked meal. The Goa govt must devote all its attention and resources on making available affordable fish to the common man as it is the staple diet of the state.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
