Subsidized fish?
Fish being the staple of almost every Goan household, it is today falling out of reach of the common man due to an overzealous fishing industry. Quality fish like kingfish, pomfret and prawns are outsourced into the hotel industry at a premium and the rest is packed in trucks for export leaving us Goans high and dry every day. What remains for the traditional Goan fish curry in our kitchens is the rejected lot which finally ends up in our village markets at a price unworthy of its taste and smell. Ordinary Goans can only look and watch as their precious marine resources are being siphoned off under their very own noses by the trawler owners at a hefty profit while the Goan tax payers end up paying dearly for their subsistence. Goans await the day when Mr. Parrikar inaugurates the promised first subsidized fish kiosk.
Allwyn George, Carmona
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Domnic Soares
I was shocked on hearing about the sad demise of Domnic Soares. I had the opportunity to travel with the Vasco Club football team by steamer in 1978 after watching them playing for the Rovers Cup at the Cooperage football ground in Mumbai. The team included Bharathan, Nicholas from Tivim, Chavito, Aleixinho, Egypsio,Vassu Chodankar and the late Domnic Soares. They had lost the quarter final match against mighty Mafatlal by a 3-1 margin but it was Domnic Soares who stole the limelight with his quicksilver skills. We have yet to see a player of his calibre in recent years. I, along with other football lovers, salute him and convey our heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.
Inacio Fernandes, Candolim
Black Cats for blackguards?
Lalu Prasad has been convicted in the fodder case. Television has brought live coverage of this news and the nation saw Lalu surrounded by his Black Cat security. It was like rubbing salt in the wounds of the aam aadmi. This nation gives special security to criminals while the aam aadmi is helpless on the streets. Today the police have become an instrument for the powerful and have little time for citizens. Why should a politician be entitled to any security ? He performs a job like anyone else. Merely being a politician should not qualify one for police protection. This case has been going on for 17 years. How much has it cost the exchequer to provide this security? This gives credence to the saying that if criminals are not in jail they will be in the legislature.
D C Dias, Taleigao
Fodder scam conviction
The State of Bihar has ultimately won justice after a long, long wait. The Special CBI court in Ranchi has convicted RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and 44 others in the “Chara Ghotala”( fodder scam) case as a huge amount of over Rs 37 crore was fraudulently siphoned off from Chaibasa district treasury, Jharkhand . However, the quantum of punishment to the former chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Jagannath Mishra and 44 others has yet to be announced. It will be appreciated that after the judgement of the Supreme Court regarding resignations of tainted and convicted MPs and MLAs, in the true spirit of a trusted Parliamentarian, RJD chief Lalu Prasad should resign immediately.
Vijay D Patil, Pune
For ladies only
The Transport Department has made it compulsory for all the buses, private as well as Kadambas, to reserve the front seats for women passengers with the notice “For Ladies Only”. For a few days, this requirement was observed. However, now this requirement is not enforced by the bus conductors with the result that invariably male passengers not only occupy the reserved seats but also sit by the side of a lady in the vacant seat. Women passengers also have to often travel uncomfortably standing. Will the Directorate of Transport and the traffic police instruct all their offices in Goa to enforce the rule in letter and spirit? They should also check whether the notice in bold letters is painted on the sides of the seats reserved only for ladies, in English and local languages.
J M De Almeida, Alto-Porvorim
Goa sausages
Goans all over the world seem to cherish the local pork sausages and smuggle them in their luggage under anonymous brand packets to get past the customs. In the good old days, these sausages were from pure pork but as the need for increased profit margins rose, the local makers began using various other waste meat substitutes causing adulteration in their manufacture and thereby fooling the customer. Goans these days are frustrated with the quality of the so-called branded Goan pork sausages available in the market. So keeping the traditional worth of the Goan sausage in view, the makers have to realize that there can be no substitute for pork for making these sausages. They should think twice before altering the basic recipe and depriving Goans of the true taste of the Goa sausage!
Allwyn Jorge, Carmona
