A news item titled “Fight over stolen booty lands 2 airport loaders in police net” does not make good reading for a tourist, without being apprehensive about belongings being looted by the very first people they meet on arrival in Goa. Being looted of hard cash from their bags. This is absolutely ridiculous. Untrustworthy welcome to Goa this.
“Why should any international tourist wish to come to Goa now?” by Nascimento de Souza – Page II of Herald Review of 11 January 2015. Correct, why should they? After all that has been happening this does not bode well for tourists to spend their holidays in a peaceful manner here in Goa?
Our Tourism Department goes around the world on promotional tours to promote tourism in Goa, and encourage non-Indian guests to come. But our babus in positions are trying hard to make sure they kill the goose that lays the golden egg for tourism in Goa. Let us leave our differences aside, to be dealt with amicably, or if that doesn’t work, in the courts of law. Let us not stamp on each others’ toes. Let us enjoy a piece of the tourism pie together. Let the tourists enjoy their stay here in Goa peacefully. Let us not dampen their spirits unnecessarily. If they don’t come, every business related to tourism in Goa will suffer – taxis, hotels, guest houses, wayside eateries, bars and restaurants, etc.
Agnelo Fernandes, Calangute
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Unity in diversity
Since the BJP has come to power a different wind seems to be blowing. Many of the hidden agendas of the RSS, Bajrang Dal, VHP et al seem to be showing up.
The prime questions to the prime minister is why so many atrocities are being committed against the minority community? Why the re-conversion and ‘homecoming’ has raised its ugly head when it was non-existent? By minority community does it implies only the Muslims and not the other faiths like Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, etc?
Why is the PM silent over this issue? Or do we have to presume that silence speaks louder than words. Your silence is being taken by the like-minded Hindutva bodies that they can do anything because you are at the helm of affairs? How can we say the pledge that India is our country and that all Indians are my brothers and sisters if we are not given the freedom to choose and practice our religion of choice without fear.
Mariano Correia, Canacona
Ploy to kill women taxi initiative
The recent controversy and attempts to tarnish the credibility of GTDC’s Women Taxi Service seems more of a ploy by exploitative private transport forces to kill this initiative which has been welcomed widely by the public. One wonders why so many other glaring cases of injustices to employees and general public have not been taken up with such fervour and enthusiasm by civil society groups. There seems to be absolute silence when it comes to the enforcement of digital fare meters for private taxis which is also part of consumer justice.
The GTDC Chairman should take immediate steps to protect this wonderful service from any rot that may be creeping in due to negligence. May the fleet of the GTDC’s Women Taxi Service increase in the days to come to give the public an option for a just deal in travel fares.
Soter D’Souza, Socorro
Constell’s primitive methods
It was appalling to see primitive methods employed by Constell consultant of Kolkata to do soil testing for the proposed new Zuari bridge. In this modern world with advanced technology available and which is used even by other poor nations, I was appalled to see a bamboo platform atop 2 caneos. With this kind of methods employed, how long will Goans have to wait for a new safe bridge? It seems like Goans will always have to pray before crossing the bridge. If it was a Japanese or a Korean company doing the construction job it would be faster and would have saved the government a big deal.
Wilfred Franco, Dubai
Cursed old age
They spend their whole lives nurturing their children , spending on them their time, money and health. Parents are the only selfless beings on this earth made by God. If they are lucky enough their children might be merciful and loving, but if not then they are destined to a traumatic old age. Living with grandchildren will only be a dream, instead they should learn to live with strange people in an old age home, learn to make new friends at the age of over 65. We expect too much of them. A single mother looks up to her only son for love and support but that too does not last long. In today’s time our priorities have changed. One must not forget that when we could not talk, only our mother could understand and today we fail to even listen to our parents. It’s high time we understand that parents don’t ask for much. It’s only our smile they long for.
Tehnaz Zattu, Durgawadi
