Safety of Tourists
IT was heartening to read that the coming months will experience a tourist boom in Goa. Tourism is the backbone of the Goan economy and a vast section of the population is dependent on this industry for their livelihood. It would be a flourishing business for hotel owners,
tour and taxi operators, shack owners and many others who are directly or indirectly associated with this industry. It becomes imperative on the part of the government to take extra measures to ensure the safety of the tourists especially across our many beautiful beaches. Equipping the beaches with proper signboards and providing sufficient lifeguards to warn the tourists and rescue them in case of any eventuality is a major task before the government. Controlling traffic on our roads would be another major task. Above all, let us remember to deal with tourists honestly and respect them so that they leave our shores with pleasant memories to take back home.
MICHAEL VAZ, Merces
Energy Wasted
ON Wednesday September 22, streetlights near the LIC office at Khadpabandh in Ponda were found to be switched on even at 11 a.m. Although the same are to be compulsorily switched off at 6 a.m., linesmen in different locations have been exhibiting negligence and carelessness with regard to the prescribed timings. As a result, a large quantity of the precious resource is wasted. The Electricity Department aims at making the best use of available power resources, but achieving it in reality has become a rather difficult task. I hope the department at Ponda takes a serious view of the above matter and conducts an enquiry towards the same.
PRAVIN U SARDESSAI, Adpai
Greater Goan Identity
IN principle, I agree with statements made by senior Congress leader, Mr Luizinho Faleiro and MP, Mr Francisco Sardinha that Goan identity has to be preserved; whilst expressing their opposition to the ‘Greater Goa’ proposals; which meant adding territory from other states to Goa. However, other than lip service, no action has been taken? The government is actively wooing migrant vote banks, issuing ration cards to migrants, supporting demography changing and migrant attractive mega projects, bringing in industries favouring employment to outsiders, destroying the environment, contaminating land/water, facilitating large-scale land sales to outsiders, facilitating large-scale Goan migration out of Goa due to lack of opportunities etc. Even after 20 years, Konkani still does not have a place in Goa. Ms Sonia Gandhi promised special status to Goa during the 2009 Lok Sabha election campaign. In August 2008, the Goa Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution strongly recommending that the state government take up with the Centre the urgent need to grant special status to Goa; this was done to ensure that the state preserves its unique identity. Can these senior Congress leaders please follow up on the same? Today Goa is rapidly losing its prized identity within just 50 years of liberation. If the Goan majority and their politicians do not want to address this critical issue, then perhaps it is better to opt for ‘Greater Goa’ or even a merger with another state; and let us bury the issue of preserving Goan identity once and for all!!
ARWIN MESQUITA, UAE
Allahabad Verdict must be Accepted by All
THE Allahabad High Court seems to have come to an appropriate judgment wherein there is no winner and no loser. The verdict allows for division of the disputed site into three parts with each party in the dispute getting a one-third share of the land. It must be said that there was always a demand for an out-of-court settlement to the dispute by coming at a compromise formula. But by this judgment, the compromise formula has now come from the Court. Hence this landmark judgment should be accepted by the concerned parties and all Indians as one nation. It must be said that the Hindus and the Muslims have been historically carrying out their respective religious worship side by side at the disputed site. The court judgment only confirms this aspect and allows for the worship of both the religions to continue. Now both the communities should learn to live together as citizens of one great secular nation.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
