Weather women dressing in bikini or hijab, drinking in a pub or restaurant is a matter of personal choice of an individual. We have no right to object to dressing or drinking of an individual unless it harms the society by extreme behaviour.
For many years in the past century Goan/Indian women have been wearing midis and bikinis and even participated in fashion show, films, modelling and advertisement role. Our PWD minister or any individual should not raise ugly head and use dirty eye at the bikini wearing ladies. He should learn to respect the dignity of women. Let our women walk in the society with the head held high. Let us provide brotherly protection to women instead of discriminating on the basis of the sex.
Carlos Braganza, Santa Cruz
Bikini ban
I was bemused at a minister’s take on Goan culture vis-a-vis bikinis and women drinking in bars. Of course it is not Goan culture. After all, how many Goans’ does the minister know of, that indulge in the above?
It is in fact tourists from other states (or should I say non-state actors) that visit our shores and shame us Indians. If at all any type of beach clothing is to be banned, it should be the ‘shorts’ and ‘chuddies’ that our neighbours flaunt on their not so well defined torsos.
Further, as regards the South Goa MP’s statement “Goans ready for any challenge from outsiders”, the MP would do well to put the tourist cops where his mouth is and rise to the challenge at his doorstep.
Bosco D’Souza, Verem
Shift the fisherfolks
Fisherfolks occupying the main road at the Durbhat bazaar in Ponda taluka face great risk and danger to their precious lives. Vehicular traffic flows continuously along this location. With the introduction of ferry service at Adpai and Durbhat, the number of vehicles proceeding along this route has increased tremendously. The road is too narrow. Under such circumstances, there is every possibility of the fisherfolk being knocked down by the motorists or vehicles carrying construction materials which mostly proceed at a faster speed. Hence the need arises for assuring safety to this important community.
The Village Panchayat of Durbhat as a competent authority should have provided a safer premises to the fisherfolk where they could continue their age-old occupation.
I sincerely appeal to the acting Sarpanch not to neglect such sensitive matters but levy a serious thought for the same and chalk out immediate favourable steps to shift the fisherfolk to a safer premises without any further delay. I hope situation would improve immediately before any mishap occurs at this critical location.
Pravin U. Sardessai, Adpai
Police station at Zuarinagar
This refers to the news in your newspaper about opening of 3 more police stations in Salcete. This is a welcome move considering the large jurisdiction of Margao Town Police station.
Similarly there are other police stations, such as Verna police station that requires review. This police station has vast jurisdiction. The villages of Verna, Cortalim, Sancoale Zuarinagar, Loutolim, Utorda, Arossim, Cansalim, Cuelim come under the jurisdiction of Verna Police station. Moreover Utorda, Arossim, Cansaulim and Velcao are tourist areas, which requires close surveillance. So also Zuarinagar a total slum area, where criminals take shelter among the other settlers.
Hence I feel there is urgent need to have police station at Zuarinagar covering all the above coastal villages. I hope the authorities concerned will look into this proposal. I also request the local MLA Alina Saldanha to pursue this proposal in the interest of her electorate.
Antonio Fernandes, Arossim
Come back Neymar
In the recent FIFA World Cup match, Neymar fractured a vertebra during his country’s win. He is now out of the world cup. Neymar got kneed in the back during the second half collision with Columbian player Juan Zuniga. He cried in pain while being taken off the football field on a stretcher after he rolled on the ground.
The scene left Brazilians angered. Neymar was really an important player in the team. The other players will have to fight more in the next match. Many Brazilian fans had gathered outside the hospital shouting ‘FORCA NEYMAR’ (be strong Neymar) as he was being taken into the building. It’s sad to even hear that Brazil won’t have their captain Thiago Silva playing with the team when they take on Germany due to suspension. We too wish the Brazilian star a speedy recovery.
Stesha Pereira, Chinchinim
