letters to the editor

GFP to quit NDA?

In response to the news that Mr Vijai will part ways with the BJP NDA if fascism enter Goa, the Goa Forward Party should have by now understood that they were voted in those three constituencies because they were fighting the elections against the BJP and because they coined the slogan GGG which earned them the much needed boost from the niz Goenkars holding Goa very close to their heart.

It was not just the Catholic community that voted them it was the Goenkars consisting of all religions who want peaceful existence in this beautiful Goa of ours that voted them. But after the elections they were in a hurry to jump in the BJP's NDA nearly forgetting the people’s aspirations and the Parties’ principals.

In a hurry to achieve a short term objective he and his party has lost a long term political career in Goa. GF had the potential to be the number one regional party to rule future Goa but by aligning with the NDA they have lost this golden opportunity.

India’s political scenario is changing faster than expected; there is fear in the minorities all over the country which Mr Vijai may think it is being enlarged beyond bounds or the truth but that is the fact and Goa is not an exception.

Goa is known for its peaceful existence and the credit goes to the Niz Goenkars consisting of all religions but are they enough Goenkars remaining in Goa that is the question. Vijai talking on behalf of Catholic community is good but again will he walk the talk or fall prey to his political partners that only time will tell. 

Clarence Alvares, Sangolda

Blue-coloured Rs 50 notes

Reserve Bank of India (RBI), instead of issuing new series of smaller-sized currency-notes in one go, is introducing notes in different denominations at intervals now with issue of new smaller-sized Rs 50 notes in fluorescent-blue colour.

Last time when sizes of currency-notes were reduced in the year 1967, complete series in all denominations were issued simultaneously. With issue of new denomination of Rs 200 already announced, RBI should issue new smaller-sized notes of Rs 200, 100, 20 and 10 simultaneously at the earliest to reduce cost of printing-printing and induce newness in the system. Since Rs 10 coins are still unpopular, plastic notes of rupees ten in smaller sized should be issued on experimental-basis as repeatedly announced by RBI and Government of India.

At the same time, Central government and RBI should not print much-criticised Rs 2000 notes anymore which seem to have been issued as a compulsion to meet big challenge of demonetisation. Also, regressive step of issuing one-rupee note after its discontinuance 20 years back should be reversed by discontinuing its printing.

Present print-stock of one-rupee notes can be sold in attractive plastic-packing only at premium-price as souvenir, rather than putting these in actual circulation because limited number of printed one-rupee notes will otherwise also not be coming in actual circulation with every one getting these likely to keep as collectors-item. 

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, Delhi

Cleanliness can reduce fatal diseases

Refer to edit page-comment “Mosquito terror” by Freddy Dias (Herald August 19, 2017). It is true that people in our country live in most unhygienic conditions, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Even cities such as Delhi are not as clean as they should be. One can see garbage piling up at rubbish dumps across the city especially in all big market places like Rajendra Place, Nehru Place, etc. One cannot only blame the authorities as people have unhygienic habits such as not flushing after using the washroom in railway coaches and public toilets. We never make any sincere effort to try and clean our surroundings.

If our surroundings are hygienically clean, there shall be lesser number of fatal diseases like Dengue, etc. I think a large-scale public awareness campaign regarding cleanliness is needed. Our Honourable Prime Minister’s SWACHCH BHARAT campaign must be implemented in letter and spirit throughout India to remain healthier and improve our economy as output is more when citizens are healthier!

Mahesh Kapasi, New Delhi

Second opinion poll

Goa is about to witness a ‘second opinion poll’ on August 23 in which the people of Panjim have an opportunity to deliver a verdict which will confirm the fears raised by Dr FE Noronha in the Church bulletin ‘Renovacao’.

The 2016 Goa Assembly Elections in which the BJP won just 13 seats was the result of the communal and feudalist mindset of the top most leaders of the BJP who are supporting and conniving with elements to make India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ which is against the secular ethos of the constitution of India.

Those who are conniving with these feudal lords in the name of ‘Goenkarponn’ will also meet the same end as all the right thinking people of Goa are united in throwing out the ‘feudal lord’ out of Panjim along with the unlucky ship stuck on the Miramar beach.

Matias Lobo, Oman

Security during Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi festivities will commence in a couple of days’ time. In Goa several people living in the cities go back to their villages to celebrate the festival along with family members in their ancestral homes. The flats/houses in the cities of these people who go to their native villages can become an easy prey for thieves and house-breakers. Thieves take advantage of the absence of the in-mates and strike.

In the past few years there have been reports of house thefts in the cities during the holidays. It would be desirable to increase police patrolling during these days. In the past couple of months several thefts have been reported in the commercial capital Margao and the surrounding areas.

Night patrolling in the commercial capital needs to be intensified to prevent such house-breaks. It would also be in the fitness of things for the police department to issue an advisory for the locals who will be going to the native places to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi to lock their houses/flats in the cities properly.

The locals could also inform the police that they will be proceeding to their native villages for the celebrations so that the cops can maintain extra vigil over these houses.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco