Ever since the NDA government has come into power, Christians in India are being targeted and churches are stoned and burnt. The government should realize that, if they are ruling the nation today, it is because of the minority communities (Christians and Muslims) had voted for them. If communalism continues, the country will never achieve prosperity. When the BJP government was in power from 1998 to 2004, Christians then too were being persecuted. The Catholic/Christian community in India does not indulge in terrorism, anti-national activities, smuggling, cheating and corruption, arson looting, rioting, communal and fundamentalist activities, criminal activities, encroaching on government lands to create slums, female foeticide/infanticide. They marry at a late age and are content with one or two children. They are extremely secular and work with honesty and dedication. But after all these, they face religious discrimination and persecution. It is very shameful on the part of the Indian government to treat Christians like this. Christians, despite being a small community, have contributed a lot to the nation. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other Hindu right-wingers should be aware of this.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
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Wi-Fi zone is a step in the right direction
The Curchorem MLA has reportedly said that he has taken the first step to make Curchorem hi-tech by providing a free Wi-Fi at the Curchorem KTC bus stand. The services that will be available at the Wi-Fi zone will reportedly include Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc. and the Wi-Fi will consist of high speed data. It will also include services like contact details of government authorities, information on tourist centre and public transport services and there will be free internet access of 250mb per day with a download of up to 10mb. It must be said that this is a step in the right direction and other KTC bus-stands in the main cities should also be provided with free Wi-Fi. In today’s world where the internet plays a very important role in everyday life, it is essential to provide free Wi-Fi zone by the government so that the common citizens can benefit from it. Even ticket bookings for rail, air and road travel is now being done online. The mobile phones that are now used do have facilities for the internet and what is required is a Wi-Fi zone. The important government offices in the state should also provide for free Wi-Fi zone which will greatly benefit the citizens to gain access to important information that is provided by the government online.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
India’s rescue efforts are praiseworthy
The country’s efforts in the face of national and international calamities and disasters are praiseworthy. In recent times, India’s rescue and relief operations in Yemen, Maldives and now in Nepal have received world-wide acclaim. When disaster strikes, the first few hours are very crucial! India’s disaster management squad and armed forces have risen to the needs on every occasion, rushing rescue equipment, food, medicines and shelter while evacuating stranded Indians.
Cutting across political ideologies, all Indians are proud of the government’s efforts in the face of calamities. PM Modi reassured the people of Nepal telling them “We will try and rescue as many people alive as possible… and try to wipe Nepal’s tears.” Yes, sir, we are proud of our nation.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Unwarranted skirmishes
People practicing different religions worship God in different ways and it’s heard by only one God. But today in India and in Goa, one religion fights with another. But the government remains a mute spectator.
One’s eating habits does not offend other’s religion, because animals, birds and reptiles are not gods. God is only one; He is our creator and we haven’t seen him.
If Hindus believe cows, rats and snakes are gods, then why the cows are roaming on the roads and eating plastics? Why they use them in fields, and not keep them at their homes and feed them? If rats are gods, why don’t they take care of rats? If snakes are gods, why do snakes kill human beings? No, my brothers and sisters, God is one and that is our creator.
Educated people will understand this, so my advice to all Hindus, Christians and Muslims is this: be united and live as brothers and sisters and fight with our enemies (China, Pakistan) but not with our own brothers and sisters. Jai hind! Jai India!
Edgar Martins, Chinchinim
