Provide bus shelters
For the past several months, some bus shelters along the Dona Paula-Bambolim road are being removed for reasons not known. This leaves people including school children stand in the sun and rain till the bus arrives. People new to the locality fail to find bus stops because of absence of signboard. Bus shelters should be reinstalled with proper shed and adequate seating capacity. Benches should be installed along the road for the convenience of pedestrians. No trees are planted on either side of the road giving it a barren look. The forest department should take up a tree plantation before the monsoon.
Padmanabh Sathe, Dona Paula
No cakewalk for BJP
Raisina Hills has now become our very own version of Mount of Beatitudes from where frequent triumphal proclamations are issued, the latest being that the saffron party shall be winning 370 seats and NDA 400+ in the upcoming parliamentary elections. There is absolutely no legitimate justification for such confidence, the BJP has peaked in the West, its Hindi heartland stronghold and its prospects are no better in the East or in the South. In fact they have a crumbling edifice in Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the North-East. Facts on the ground indicate that the BJP is likely to lose a substantial number of Lok Sabha seats, 45 at the very least. It’s insidious and vile efforts to topple the government and steal the popular mandate in Jharkhand have come to naught. Governors who had an exalted status in the past have been reduced to being BJP cheerleaders especially in the non-saffron states. Those with spine like Satpal Malik who don’t kowtow to the diktats are raided by the Centre and harassed till kingdom come. The Supreme Court’s judgment on electoral bonds has been a moral defeat for the party though it has already pocketed Rs 6,500 crore via the fraudulent and unconstitutional scheme. Also the Chandigarh mayoral election fiasco where the returning officer, a BJP acolyte was caught on camera disfiguring ballot papers to hand over an illegal victory to the saffron candidate tarnished the party’s image. It won’t be easy for the party to manage a landslide victory. There is also a groundswell of public opinion for EVMs to be replaced by the ballot paper which doesn’t bode well for the ruling dispensation. It is time for the opposition to set aside their petty differences over seat sharing and fight for the greater good if they want to see an inclusive India of yore.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Rid tourism of touts
The state government has envisioned different forms of tourism viz., wellness, spiritual, eco, jungle, adventure, water sports, destination etc. If these transpire into reality, then it could create jobs, boost the sagging industry and the economy. In this regard, the tourism ministry could conduct a three-month diploma course for those who want to become guides. In the first two months, they could study the geography of Goa, its natural resources, culture, influx and kinds of tourists, categories and sites of tourism, working of hospitality and transport sectors, safety, security, etiquettes, first-aid etc. In the third month the potential guides could have practical training in their chosen tourism type. After an exam, the successful candidates could be registered as authorised guides and given uniforms as per the type of tourism activities. To root out the touts, the government could spread the word through the media that tourists could seek registered guides for their well-being and comfort. The rates for the guides need to be affordable but may vary considering the touristy locations and number of tourists. Tourist guides are like ambassadors since the impression and services that they provide would be etched in the visitor’s mind and lead to repeat and new visitors while the word-of-mouth advertisement would be beneficial to the state.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Embrace virtues of sacrifice
Sacrifice is one of the virtues which need to be inculcated in our lives. This season as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross pertaining to our sin, and the manner through which God has blessed us with new life is incredible. Don’t forget that for every vision from God, there’s also His provision. Henceforth, God also provides us with His grace on daily basis. As the Gospel goes, that Jesus Christ died for the sin of entire humanity on the cross, shed His pure blood and on the third day, rose from the dead. Evidently, the sacrificial lifestyle of Lord Jesus Christ saves mankind from the drastic effects of sin. It’s upon us to believe in this sacrificial act of Lord Jesus Christ for a victorious living. Furthermore, the righteous shall live by ‘faith’. However, Jesus has covered us with His righteousness. Similarly, let’s forgive our brethren too in the precious name of Lord Jesus Christ. Let this behaviour of love/sacrifice /honesty/forgiveness etc be prevalent each day of our life, and not only during a particular season.
Joseph Desouza, Candolim
Need to protest peacefully
The farmers protest and the various disturbing episodes occurring on the outskirts of the national capital is giving sleepless nights to citizens and has now turned into a crisis effecting the day-to-day life of the commoners. With the main roads taken by the protesters and internet interrupted, the public have begun to experience the brunt of the agitation. Some years back, a march was taken by the farmers of Maharashtra called the long march. The march never caused any issues for the common people. It was a march with a clear purpose and conducted in a peaceful manner, getting support from the public irrespective of political parties and finally achieving its purpose in making the government to promise and assure to the demands of the peasants. The long march protestors on reaching Mumbai never caused any inconvenience to its citizens and did not put the heavy city traffic out of gear. The march was exemplary clearly showing that they were protesting peacefully and the aim was clear – to make the government not to ignore the rustic souls of India, the main backbone of the nation. The long march finds a significant place in today’s era where such marches and rallies backed by political parties and groups often end up in clashes, riots and bloodshed. The present agitation now sadly exposes that the so-called sympathisers, who are political by nature, in the name of supporting the peasants are only trying to be opportunists to make gains for their political and selfish motives.
M Pradyu, Kannur