Useful studies?
The recent reports indicate of a possible "study tour" of some MLAs to foreign lands under the garb of studying whether bull fights can be legalised. This appears to be just another attempt to go on a junket at the expense of public exchequer. On one hand, the Goa government is not having a very lavish financial situation. While on the other hand, the govt. is engaging in unnecessary spending. The reports remind me of past study tours taken to some European countries in a bid to study garbage treatment techniques. What good did those tours do for Goa? The garbage in Goa still rots on the streets and an ideal treatment plant is not in sight.
K B Dessai, Fatorda
Are we liberated?
The way to celebrate the freedom of Goa from Portuguese rule would be to introspect. Yes, we have been liberated from Portuguese rule and in doing so we have become slaves of our own people. Can I go to a police station today and lodge a complaint against a VIP? Will an FIR be lodged without the policeman first seeking permission from his sahib? So tell me are we really liberated? What sort of liberation are we celebrating? We have no doubt got rid of the dictator from Portugal. We are now ruled by our elected representatives who once elected become arrogant and dictators in their own right! Our MLAs take an oath to uphold the constitution, but the sad fact is that the very people who swear to uphold the constitution are the very ones who encourage those that break the law. Any individual who is a supporter or belongs to a vote bank of a politician can break the law with impunity knowing very well that his closeness to the politician makes him immune to the law. The government of the day is for the khaas aadmi and not the aam aadmi.
Take tourism, which is our major industry. We are in the process of killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Is there any other state that does not have meters for their taxi cab and rickshaws? Government is keen to know the source of funding of NGOs who fight to protect the environment while turning a blind eye to all politicians and MLAs whose assets have even in one case increased by 1559 percent (as per Association for Democratic Reforms) while others have registered 200 percent or more! The moot point is, should we celebrate liberation? Do we have a reason to celebrate?
D C Dias, Taleigao
English as MOI
When I was a guest lecturer in a few colleges around Goa, I was appalled at the quality of English writing. Students in the Higher Secondary couldn’t string a few sentences together. Yet, they aspired to become media professionals or work in corporates in the metros and in the UAE. It’s no surprise that only a fraction of Goans get to work in companies like these; most of them are from English medium schools. The Goa government has to realise that quality education in English is necessary for the future of this state. Else we will be left to play second fiddle to those from elsewhere who are brought in to run companies and in senior positions.
Sanjay Naik, Mapusa
