25 March 2013

This refers to the news report ‘EBA recognises  Mormugao as best managed’  (Herald,  March 21, 2013). It is interesting, that the UK-based group Europe Business Assembly (EBA) has awarded Mormugao Muncipal Council (MMC) for  being the best managed city (Vasco) and  its chief officer the best city manager  Let this award remind the MMC and its chief officer that they should not rest on their laurels, but now  put in extra efforts to prove to the citizens of Vasco what the award means to them. The town is blessed with beaches, natural springs, forts, lakes and other tourist attractions, but it’s a shame that the basic infrastructure is missing at these places of interest. Furthermore, it has all modes of transport. The MMC can do better provided they rid themselves of the politics and stand together in the best interest of the town. Hoping the much awaited basic projects like development/beautification  of Baina beach, construction of the  market  will be completed as early as possible.

ASI Suryawanshi fines an MLA for speeding in Mumbai. This incident was taken up as breach of privilege and the policeman is humiliated and thrashed in the august House, as a result of which he was hospitalized. He has also reportedly received death threats.  And only because the media and senior police officers confronted the Speaker, the arrogant MLAs have been suspended. Do our elected representatives believe that privilege means they may break the law and/or take the law into their hands and the voters have to follow them? Voters who have elected such people even in Goa, damage their own dignity and are not worthy of democracy. To save Goa, people must stop encouraging this “VIP syndrome” and voting  for “winnable” candidates who are not honorable!

This  refers to the  news report ‘The stage is set for SSC exams on March 28’ (Herald March 23, 2013). Incidentally the stage is also set for the Shigmo celebrations in the State. Several children take part in the Shigmo float parade in their respective localities. Roman Catholics in the State will also be commemorating holy week. The SSC exams start on Maundy Thursday which is one of the holiest day in the holy week, besides Good Friday and Easter Sunday. All this can be a major distraction to the students answering such a crucial exam in their academic career. In future, the authorities concerned need to schedule the board exams keeping in mind the religious functions and celebrations of different communities. 

The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) was engaged by the state transport department to carry out  a short-term and long-term detailed study of accident prone zones/locations on existing roads in Goa and thereafter recommend site-specific road safety preventive measures.

Has the CRRI submitted the final plans and reports, and if so what were their recommendations? Were their terms of reference modified to include tasks on preparing the road master plan for Goa? What was the main objective of the road master plan? Was it to promote new unwanted projects to create more traffic problems, before solving existing problems? Does the road master plan implementation include demolition of compound walls, houses and other existing structures in village settlement areas for construction of 10 m or 15 m or wider roads to promote the requirements of unwanted projects in villages? Can we allow construction of connectivity bridges linking villages in different talukas without a properly approved road master plan for Goa? These questions need urgent answers to protect our villages from destruction due to rapid unplanned urbanisation. In case the CRRI assignments in Goa are incomplete, there is a need to investigate the reasons and highlight them to the readers soon. This subject needs urgent attention.

The casual manner in which a serious subject can be debated and down-played just by changing the language, amazes me! The hot point for debate in the anti-rape Bill was reduced to ‘age of consent’. How puerile can our legislators be! We take pride in our country for its deeply spiritual heritage, and rightly so. Where then is the language of ‘consensual sex’ leading us? Legalising crime, especially any crime against God, does not make it morally correct ~ whatever language one uses. The heinous crime of abortion does not become a blessing just because it is labelled: ‘termination of pregnancy’: It is blood on the hands of mother and father, pure and simple. The culture of violence is what drives the rapist. And just as easily, the culture of violence is traced back to the abortion clinic and errant parents. But go one step further back ~ you will land on the door-step of ‘innocence’ personified: “contraception”! The evil of consensual sex begins right there: This is where we use foul means to shirk all responsibility for our actions; we become irresponsible citizens. When we take precautionary means to shirk responsibility, we are on the slippery path to corruption in every field of endeavour. We forfeit our right to protest on the streets when we ourselves are the culprits. So let’s not be carried away by deceitful language that entraps us in a quagmire of foul deeds.

Hats off to the ‘Band of Priests’. ‘An evening with Jesus’ a programme of prayer was very well presented by 11 priests serving in different parishes of the Goa diocese. The laity appreciates this endeavor permitted by Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao, so that priests carry on the good work.