Goan writers (are) barking
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Now Goans are no longer found sussegad in Goa, especially the Goan writers who are on the toes, you see them barking loud but many of them are unlucky to see their articles/letters in the newspapers columns, since either their letter/articles are on queue or the prescribed minimum words are not within their specified limit. However by hook or crook, certain writers manage to convince the Editors/reporters and their articles/letters are published. I feel Editors should consider increasing these columns in order to express these kinds of views.
It is a pity that some of these Goan writers who want to express their views on the safety of their motherland, are deprived getting into the local newspaper columns. In fact these newspapers should play a role of scrutinising letters/articles to publish which is of great importance for the welfare of Goans at large.
Whatever letters/articles are published they are continuously going in politician’s dustbins without any action.
When our renowned Goan scientists such as Dr Nandkumar Kamat, Dr Joe D’Sousa and others also experiencing the same phenomena, who bothers for their write-up? Instead we see devastating incidents such as of creeks, environment, pollution, land grabbing, illegal constructions, casinos and many things which are constantly been damaged. Also no proper infrastructure such as water, electricity and swage etc. is made available.
I feel in the name of tourism, Goa is been ruined forever. There is no proper planning at all.
Not learnt the lesson
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
It has been nearly a fortnight since the tragedy occurred at the Baina beach wherein a slab of an old structure fell on two little children who had a miraculous escape.
Till this day nothing has been done by the authorities to bring down the remaining structure which seems beyond repairs. Even the slab that came crashing down has not been removed and serves as a grim reminder of the tragedy that unfolded on that day.
It must be said that children of migrant labourers are seen playing around this place. Last week the Mormugao Municipal Council organized a week long summer festival at the beach which attracted huge crowds. Unfortunately nothing was done to remove this dilapidated structure.
Are the authorities waiting for another mishap to occur before acting? The concerned authorities would probably have acted if the falling slab had caused death on that fateful day. Will we ever follow the dictum ‘Prevention is better than cure’?
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The modern day Nero(s)
SND Poojary,Miramar
The proverbial Nero ‘fiddled when Rome burnt’. The Central government appears to be in similar mode in dealing with Naxalism. On May 17, one more entry is added to the government statistics when the Naxals blew up a bus killing some 44 people, mostly security personnel. For the government, they are just numbers. However the impact is felt by the members of the families of those who were butchered by the killing machines. These families are left to mourn the dead for the rest of their lives.
We have a Home Minister who wishes to take on the Naxals, but he is stopped by the fratricidal attacks on him by his own fellow travelers, who are surreptitiously encouraged by his own Party. Now he appears like a wounded lion nursing his wounds, but unable to protect his men. It is high time that he puts his foot down or puts his papers.
Detrimental to Konkani unity
Fr Mousinho de Ataide, Seminary of Rachol
If Konkani is one language –and it is one – it would have been preferable for the late Dr Olivinho Gomes to have written a comprehensive history of Konkani literature in all scripts. It would also have helped readers to have an overall view and make a comparative study.
However, as the book has been commissioned by the DKA, it could not but have a sectional slant, very detrimental to the unity of the Konkani Samaj. I mean no offence to the hallowed memory of Dr Olivinho.
Need to adopt right approach
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
At last Ajmal Kasab is awarded a death sentence. Whether he is executed or not does not really matter when seen in the broader picture of tensions in the sub-continent.
Elements remain very much alive and stronger than ever for terrorist attacks to be carried out in India. Because of the tension gripping them, both India and Pakistan spend billions of dollars for military preparedness and maintaining border security. By all count they must be serious to put a firm end to the public war of words and engage in confidence-building measures leading to meaningful dialogue. That is the only way ahead for the two sides if they were to hope for an end to the perpetual threat of terrorism regardless of its source.
End the monopoly at NSF
By Rocky Dias
The decisive action of the Sports Minister in introducing new guidelines for the National Sports Federation on the tenure of the officials is very encouraging and bold. The reduction of the term of tenure will certainly help the country produce more professional sports managers who have new innovative ideas and thus help improve and explore new ideas for the benefit of the federation.
The uncontrolled powers given to bureaucrats, politicians and businessmen in public institutions must be limited. Honest and deserving people must be given a chance on merit. This will not only help to bring in a clean governance but also help open a new dimension for transparency and accountability. The monopoly in the NSF must be brought to an end as quickly as possible. Also, those who have been occupying the seat for 15 to 24 years must be asked to resign immediately. The retirement age for the officials must be fixed at 70 years.
The threats of the old guards must simply be ignored even if they go on the offensive. Even the International Committee will not support them, as long as the Indian Sports ministry works within the frame work of Olympic rules. No one can stop them from bringing in new guidelines.
No one can make a public institution his or her monopoly. Any brazen efforts by the existing administrators to jeopardize the working of the Sports Ministry, which is supreme, must be averted. The fixing of tenure and age limit cannot be in violation of Olympic Charter and thus cannot invite an international ban on India. It is the prerogative of the Indian Sports Ministry. The bosses of our National Sports Federation must act as a disciplined regime in all sincerity and accept the guidelines of the Sports Ministry and restore the normal functioning of the federations. We all know that we are not meant to function till our last breadth, then why not be good sportsmen ‘On And Off The Field’?
Punish the real terrorists
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
A butcher of Mumbai has been sentenced to death; but when will the rabid, and often elite think-tank be vanquished from the face of the earth who religiously exploit the acute poverty in the society and brainwash the Kasabs to create mayhem? It is indeed unfortunate that only those who are used as mere instruments get punished, but the real sponsors of terrorism get off scot-free.
Why are desecrators
never nabbed?
Marcos Alemao, Varca
Several cases of idol desecration have been reported in Goa in recent times and there is no headway to nab the culprits of this dirty game by the government. Desecration of idols which are lifeless and dumb is no work of good, intellectual person, but of idiots, who are trying to divide us on communal lines.
If the same thing had happened during the BJP rule, we would castigate BJP as communal party, but it happened during Congress rule. So what should we call Congress party? Secular? When such incidents take place, top officials like collectors, mamlatdars, police officers, MLAs and ministers visit the site to show up their faces, as if they are concerned of such incidents and there is no action thereafter.
