IPL — ‘Bofors of cricket’
Pachu Menon, Margao
The IPL since its inception has virtually turned into India’s biggest realty show. The third edition of the event ensured that the heady mixture of cricket and Bollywood that the tournament offered, could now boast of an element of intriguing politics in equal doses. Stirring the passions of a nation like no other game, cricket could well be cited as the national religion, if ever there was one. Nevertheless, one can’t but agree that the game today is vulgarized commercially to such an extent that more than a lovable sport, it cuts a sorry figure as a caricature of booming business viabilities. No efforts seem to have been spared to ascertain that the cricketing extravaganza is marketed with a finesse that promises a bonanza for the investors – as also the players – and a sporting spectacle for the viewers. When a game transcends from an affable pastime to a lucrative deal with high stakes in it for the shareholders, there is perceptible change in the all-round outlook towards the proceedings. Antagonism and personality clashes needed to surface when Lalit Modi as the IPL Commissioner held sway at the helm. But what is mystifying is the way the media and his detractors have come hard on Modi & Co – a witch-hunt to all intents and purposes! How ridiculous! A posse of Income-Tax sleuths unearthing Modi’s luxurious life-style and diversified business interests – wasn’t it quite obvious at the outset! Right from day one, the auctions, the bids, the telecast rights, you name it; all these ‘enterprising ventures’ were steeped in controversies. With millions pouring into the sporting fiesta, the cricketing wingding was bound to attract financial anomalies; why wasn’t any cognizance taken of these irregularities then? Was the government waiting for, as one national weekly called it, the ‘Bofors of cricket’ to be ‘exposed’ by a disgruntled Minister for all its misappropriations? That moment of brazenness which saw him cross swords with the suave Shashi Tharoor over issues pertaining to the Kochi franchisee was probably Lalit Modi’s undoing that threatened to blow the lid of a scam that is bigger and worse than the match-fixing allegations in the nineties that rocked the cricketing world and paid put to the careers of a number of international cricketers. As long as things go on well, and there are no visible signs of upsetting the applecart, everything is hunky-dory. Since everyone stands to gain a share of the spoils, none will find it worthwhile going against the tide. But Lalit Modi is today the villain of the sordid piece and brickbats continue to assail him at every corner. The media that was profuse in its adorations and saw no end to glamourising him was equally hasty in pronouncing him guilty. Shashi Tharoor had to quit the Cabinet and Modi is suspended as the Commissioner of the IPL over the ‘tweet-spat’ that snowballed into a murky affair. However, it is well-known that we countrymen suffer from involuntary amnesia and our memories are very short.
Games politicians play
C B Vaz, by e-mail
Goans, of late are increasingly being taken for a ride by our “Honorable Elected Servants” (as they rightly should be addressed). They play games only to suit their egos and off course pockets being least bothered about matters that will benefit Goa and Goans. Take for example the demands of the so-called G 7 members. What good will their demands do to Goa I pray. The demands themselves tell their own convoluted stories. The glaring fact is that their official demands are totally different from their personal agendas which is to loot, loot and only loot to make enough money to buy votes before the next general elections when they know that their chances of being elected is anybody’s guess. At the same time if the ruling honorable elected servants intent coming back to power in the next election it is imperative that they come clean and desist from their plundering lecherous and “Goans be damned” attitude that they profess.
Calling themselves the G 7 is again an insult to Goans if they equate themselves to the international prestigious G 7 group of countries. Perhaps a campaign to elaborate the alphabet G is in order. For a start how about ‘Gutter 7’. Keep the names rolling in.
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Congratulations
Chief Justice Rebello
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
On behalf of all Goans, whether Hindus, Muslims, Catholics or any other community in Goa, we congratulate Justice Ferdinho Rebello for being elevated as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court. We are proud of you, Sir and we pray for much more achievements in your life and special prayers for your good health.
No doubt we had already another Goan Hindu Justice Kamat as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, and now we have another Goan Catholic as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court.
Mahindra Utd’s ‘sudden death’
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
The ‘sudden death’ of the Mahindra United football team has shocked football lovers.
Glowing tributes were paid at the ‘passing away’ of the MU team. Critics too lambasted the team owners for its ‘untimely demise’. Mr Anand Mahindra, MD expressed surprise at his critics. “Where were they when we needed them the most for their attendance and support on the ground, he pertinently asked.
Football teams cannot be kept on a life-support system forever. It’s just too expensive. If football is to be kept alive and kicking, it requires a round of fresh lease of life. Perhaps Shilpa Shetty’s plan for a professional league on the lines of IPL is just what the doctor ordered.
Defunct Employment Exchange Bureau
Jonas Correia, Aldona
The Employment Exchange Bureau set up by the first Government to provide jobs to Goans on seniority and merit basis has become defunct for all purposes. The elected representatives now have a quota for recruiting their henchman, party workers and relatives for positions in the department of their choice. PETS was in fact created not to train people on the job but to give backdoor entry to the stooges of politicians who have worked for them during the elections. We also have daily wage workers, temporary workers and contract workers who sooner or later find their names on the Government payroll.
This is grave injustice to the highly qualified or meritorious candidates who have registered with the employment exchange but were not called for interviews or placements. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat should do away with this anomaly and direct all future recruitments in government, semi-government and public organisations through the employment exchange or else close this department, which has no other purpose and burdens the taxpayer.
Mapusa parking crisis!
Augustus Alphonso, Vasco-da-Gama
Recently, I happened to go to Mapusa to visit my relative. Unfortunately, as I entered the city market area, the sight of congested traffic took me by surprise! Parking became such a headache as I could hardly find a spot to park my car. I think now we have reached a stage in Goa where until and unless pay parking complexes are built, we would simply be going round and round in circles in all cities to find a parking place. It is high time the government starts building these pay parking complexes on a war footing without delaying this important matter.
Does Hospicio need CCTVs?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
It is reported that the panel which probed into the theft of a lady patient at Hospicio’s maternity ward has strongly recommended installation of Closed Circuit TVs in the hospital (Herald May 1). The question to be asked is whether it morally, ethically and even legally right to install CCTVs in the hospital wards, especially in the Female Ward. Will this not amount to prying on the privacy of the women patients? It may be said that the women security personnel would be keeping a watch on these CCTVs. Even then what guaranteed is there that some male members of the security will not watch the happenings in the female wards? And will the installations of the CCTVs not have an adverse effect on the patients? Imagine lying on a hospital with the knowledge that somebody is watching you over the Closed Circuit TV. Installing CCTV in the hospital does not seem proper unless the CCTVs are restricted only to the corridors of the Hospital.
