Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar stated that shifting the Navy from Dabolim is anti-National. Can I request him at this point to get the Navy to shift the huge golf course? This is just adjacent to the centrally located Dabolim airport. This will give enough space to build a much bigger international airport at Dabolim. Surely, we can agree that moving the Naval golf course to elsewhere is not anti-National. Also the request is particularly considering that small Goa has very scarce land to spare. Hope now with his new powers at the Centre, Manohar Parrikar will be able to do some good for Goa, which Goans will highly appreciate.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
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Unclaimed baggage
There has been yet another incident of unclaimed baggage creating a flutter that has been reported at the Dabolim airport. Several incidents of unclaimed baggage have been reported at railway stations, bus stands and the airport which have caused panic among the people while also causing inconvenience. When such unclaimed baggage are found, the police force, the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) as well as the Central Industrial Security Force, CISF (at the airport) are all put into action to see that the abandoned baggage does not contain any explosives. Such incidents of unclaimed baggage should not be taken lightly by the security forces and should be viewed with all seriousness it deserves.
People need to be more careful with their baggage and those who abandon their baggage should be given warnings and dealt with sternly. Abandoning baggage at public places should also be viewed as an offence as it disturbs the peace and throws life of the public off gear. Security force cannot take such incidents of abandoned baggage lightly as one such could well contain explosives left behind by a ‘terrorist’. Terrorists may also conduct trial runs by placing ‘dummy’ baggage in public places to check the preparedness of security forces.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Govt wasting money
I appreciate that the BJP government wants to celebrate appointment of Manohar Parrikar to the position of Defence Minister of India. But does this warrant wasting lakhs of rupees on advertisements, in all of Goa’s newspapers? What a criminal waste of taxpayers hard earned money. Even the Supreme Court has come heavily on such gross misuse of funds for “Political Mileage”. What’s worse is that, can a cash strapped State of Goa tolerate all these unnecessary expenses? Goans should challenge this gross misuse of State’s funds. I hope that this is not a sign of things to come; of the newly appointed BJP government!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Ruthless driving
It is a nightmare to drive in Goa these days. Looks like everyone is in a hurry. With the ever-increasing vehicle population in our State, the problems caused are even more. Riders do not have any patience, drive in opposite directions, criss-cross dangerously and also overtake from the left. There is no sense of respect at all, even for pedestrians who try helplessly to cross the road.
Instead of issuing petty fines for not wearing helmets or seatbelts, fines should instead be imposed for rash and negligent driving. This will in return generate revenue for the government and also create fear in people who drive recklessly thus causing inconvenience to others. Driving licences too should be issued after conducting a proper/strict test.
I strongly urge everyone to please drive cautiously and have some presence of mind on our busy roads so that we can all reach back home just the way we left. I am sure none of our families would ever like to see us in pain or in hospitals fighting for our precious lives.
Osbert Rodrigues, Navelim
Defender & Protector
The leadership vacuum in the BJP has been exposed by new CM on the very first day in office. Besides shouldering the responsibility of defending the country against our not so very friendly neighbours the new Defence Minister has the added responsibility of defending and protecting the new CM.
The Herald editorial dt. 11-11-14 has given a list of priorities for the new CM and even given tips of how to protect his ‘kodel’ against the weak opposition. If he cannot even do that then its better he hand over his job to the Dy CM who is senior, more qualified, experienced and has better personality and has already handled the CM job in the absence of the defender and protector.
Matias Lobo, Oman
