Art and Literature Fest-I
I fully agree with Mr Avinash Pednekar (NT, December 30, 2011) about the organisation of the Art and Literature Fest at the International Centre, this year. I had to wait for 45 minutes for Alka Pande’s talk to begin.
It was supposed to begin at 12.00 p.m., but started at 12.45 p.m. When I brought this up with the ICG Director, she started shouting at me saying nobody in Goa comes on time. Don’t complain. Go and attend the session at the lawn. I would like to mention here that I am a life member of ICG and my late husband was a founder member. This is not the way a director of ICG should talk to anyone. No session started on time. Subodh Kerkar’s talk started late. I believe Isabel Santa Rita Vaz’s play also started one hour late. I hope next year they will get their act together.
ANA MARIA DE SOUZA-GOSWAMI, Betim
Art and Literature Fest-II
I would like to raise my objections to the recently concluded Art and Literature Fest at the International Centre, Dona Paula. Firstly, it was a highly elitist function spread over five days with barely any attendance from the general public for which such literature festivals are meant. Secondly, some of the famous authors did not even bother to attend. Thirdly, there was a very rude organiser Mr Vivek Menezes from Mumbai who seemed to discourage public participation and seemed only keen on hogging the limelight, although there were other organisers. And finally the local participation on stage was of very poor quality. I hope the Fest will improve next year without the arrogant presence of Mr Menezes.
WARREN D’SOUZA, Panaji
A Step in Right Direction
It is understood that the Election Commission has banned setting up of booths of political parties outside the polling stations in the upcoming assembly elections. Such booths are usually put up to assist the voters by distributing cards showing their (the voters’) names and other details as available in the electoral rolls. This ban must be considered as a step in the right direction. It must also be said that supporters of political parties should be banned from loitering around the polling stations as they could be indulging in influencing and intimidation of the voters just before they (the voters) cast their votes. Vehicles with party flags and banners should also be prevented from moving about in the cities/villages. Ferrying the voters to and fro from the polling stations and their residences in vehicles owned/rented by the candidates also needs to be checked in order to conduct free and fair elections.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
Ushering in New Year
AS we approach the end of the year 2011, and prepare ourselves to leave behind the old and usher in the new, let us invoke God’s special blessings on our country’s leaders to enable them to steer our country to peace and prosperity, and out of the morass we find ourselves today, dogged by controversy, scams and political instability. It is also time for our politicians in Goa to heed the message of our Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, who, in his Christmas Civic address told politicians to "listen to what the people of Goa are saying, rather than make high-flown political speeches". Regional Plan 2021 is just one example of the growing opposition and discontent of the people of Goa to the loot, plunder and destruction of this once beautiful paradise on earth. As humans, created in the image and likeness of God, with dominion over the rest of creation, we are called to assume responsibility to protect God’s creation for the wellbeing of mankind. What we are witnessing is just the opposite. We may not expect what the Old Testament prophets envisioned and prophesied of a new cosmic era, but we cherish the hope, that the negative effects of a few destructive activities such as mining and mega projects, are reversed in the coming year.
A F NAZARETH, Alto Porvorim
