Global warming and climate change
Governments of the world have at last realised the imminent danger and have decided to do something about climate change. However, green reasons can slow down development and energy usage required. Whilst appreciating the governments’ problems, building smart cities must have smart people being able to live healthy lives in them. Pollution is already at unacceptable levels as in Delhi and the unimaginable floods in Chennai not seen in 100 years must shake up the Goa government. We can expect more cyclones on the west coast and Goa and Mumbai are very vulnerable. When the AAP rep was asked on television why they lifted green norms for small scale industries, the answer was "for ease of business!" Scientists also warn that rise in temperature will deplete oxygen formation in the atmosphere. China is using seeding of clouds and bio-chemical means to control the climate. If such actions influence weather systems or, more frightening, monsoon patterns, we will all be at danger. Going after NGOs like Goa Foundation for the yeomen work they are struggling with, the government using unlimited public funds to charge them with undermining the economy of the State rather than defeating them with cogent arguments is not appreciated!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
David versus Goliath
For the last 25 years the same modus operandi has been used by the candidates in Cansaulim panchayat, targeting young and simple voters by offering them money. The candidates then go on to piggyback on gullible voters, operate overtime for the construction lobbies to push their so-called “development” agenda by collecting kickbacks. The villagers of Tontem Morod in panchayat of Cansaulim Arossim Cuelim should be wise enough to reject this evil corrupt force and elect a simple honest candidate to represent them and work along with their elected panch to protect their village of Cansaulim for posterity. We have had enough of this for the last 25 years. Enough is enough.
Jerimiah D'Souza, Cansaulim
Neglecting cities
What’s in a name, really? The purported name change, from Vasco da Gama to Sambhaji has everyone up in arms. Apparently, the name has existed in some records for a long time now. I remember booking tickets from Vasco to Bengaluru on irctc.co.in years ago where (Sambhaji) was mentioned along with Vasco. I also remember the outrage when Panjim turned into Panaji all those years ago. But all this ‘name change’ politics fades into the background when you look at the kind of development that our elected representatives have ushered in over the past few years or even decades. Our cities have been neglected and ignored by the MLAs. Vasco and Panaji aren’t the only ones. We’re still a bit better off than Margao, Mapusa and Ponda, in no particular order. If only some of the energy that has gone into protesting about the name change can be chanelled towards protesting against the neglect of our cities and voting someone else into power who can, perhaps, do more than what others have done, would be possible. The name cannot be changed, but honestly that’s the least of our problems in Goa right now.
Bhushan Kamat, Panaji
