Local heroes
Sir, can we see your manifesto? With the State Legislative elections a year and a half away there appears on the horizon a few soldiers of fortune who have decided to throw their hats into the ring. Bravo! However, please show the Goan voter your manifestos. And, please do what is written in the manifestos, and I beg of you not to do what is not written in your manifestos. Otherwise there won't be anyone to vote for you and, some say, it will spell the end of democracy. Others, of course, are of the opinion democracy has already ended. A string of local parties headed by local cheer leaders appears to be the only alternative. Who can trust national parties, BJP or Congress?
Obviously the scenario is bleak and darker than a monsoon cloud and so a warm welcome local heroes, men and women, you who are true-blooded sons and daughters of the soil. The people of Goa are looking for a savior and you are it. Don't let us down as we know you love Goa so much but we hope and pray you do not love money more.
Joao Barros Pereira, Japan
As in Delhi…
This is with reference to the news item ‘ Breathe easy: No Delhi “like scare in Goa’ ( The Goan Everyday, Dec 9). Delhi government’s odd-even formula for cars has come not a day too soon. It is now up to the Delhi goverment to ensure that the scheme is implemented successfully, lest the capital lands up with a Beijing-like situation where a red alert has been sounded, compelling schools and factories to shut and people to move about with masks. Fortunately Goa has been spared this ordeal , and people can breathe easy after the ‘Goa State Pollution Control Board’ (GSPCB) has certified that the quality of air in Goa is one of the best in the country. However due to the alarming rise in the number of vehicles in Goa which stands at 14 lakh plus as of today, the quality of air is bound to deteriorate very soon, due to the rise in toxic vehicular emissions of Carbon dioxide /carbon monoxide. It is therefore necessary to take preventive steps before it is too late. An odd-even formula for vehicles during all festive seasons for a period of 15 days can be considered for a start, on an experimental basis.
A F Nazareth, Porvorim
Celebrate him
A lot of hue and cry is unnecessarily being raised over Manohar Parrikar’s birthday celebrations. The chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has gone on record saying that the government will not be spending any money for the event and that even the rent for the SAG ground has been deposited by the 60th birthday organizing committee. It is possible that some people may not have agreed with his policies when he was the chief minister of the state. But there is no doubt that Parrikar has contributed immensely for the development of the state. Hence having the opportunity to celebrate the 60th birthday of the defence minister of the country should be considered as a matter of honour for us Goans. It does not seem proper to link the birthday celebrations of the former chief minister to the Chennai floods.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
