Name change
It is indeed surprising that the Goa Government is resorting to change the names of the cities in Goa without following the correct procedure. The fact remains that Panaji was changed to Panaji when Goa was an Union Territory. No prior approval of Government of India was taken nor any approval was taken from the then Legislative Assembly of Goa, Daman and Diu although in session, when the Notification prepared allegedly by a deputationist from the Indian Economic Services SK Ghande, was issued after obtaining the signature of the then Chief Minister DB Bandodkar. They then tried to change the name of the city of Vasco da Gama to 'Sambhaji Nagar', but had to shelve the same as it was brought to the notice of the then government that such changes needs prior approval from the Government of India. Now the Directorate of Civil Supplies and Price Control of the Goa Government, has suo moto issued new ration cards with 'Sambhaji' instead of Vasco da Gama. This is not only ridiculous but outrageous as the addition of "Sambhaji' has no approval from the Goa Government
J M de Almeida, Alto Porvorim
Sensitivity to disabilities needed
December 3 is the international day for persons with disabilities. I have noticed that there is a lot of insensitivity towards persons with disability in Goa, be it holding programmes in buildings which are inaccessible to persons with disabilities to occupying parking slots and seats in buses which are reserved to also not stopping the vehicle to allow persons with disabilities to cross the street.
Goa has 33,000 persons with disability as per Census 2011. It is estimated that there are 40,000 persons with a disability in Goa as on date. This is the figure of only those with permanent disability. Many of them are educated, employed, self-reliant, achievers and role models in society but they are not able to enjoy life to the fullest due to the above insensitivity and attitudes of society. By not being sensitive to persons with disabilities we are leaving out a sizeable portion of society from mainstream society.
Avelino de Sa, Panaji
Taxi driver woes
The first impression is always a lasting impression. The first people that tourists who visit the state by air, rail or road encounter are the taxi drivers. More often than not the behavior of the taxi drivers leave a lot to be desired. This leaves a bad impression, of the state as a whole, in the mind of the tourists. Such a bad impression could also be experienced when the tourists leave the state. The taxi operators need to be kind, courteous and helpful so that they (the tourists) leave the state with happy memories which will encourage them to visit the state again. It would however be in the fitness of things for the cops to take appropriate action if there is any complaint from the tourists about any rude behavior on the part of the taxi-drivers. They must understand that it is because of the arrival of the tourist to the state that their business is sustainable and hence is a source of their livelihood.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
