Sickening!
A bone chilling video that is doing the rounds on Social Media is that of a buffalo who died instantly with one clash of horns in a buffalo fight organized at Curtorim some days back. How can one say that this is a sport and that care is taken to see that no injury is caused to animals? The Goa government is reportedly mulling ways to legalise ‘dhirio’ - a ‘sport’ which is currently banned by law. However despite the ban it is understood that bullfights are reportedly held regularly in Salcete and the event draws huge crowds. The organizers frequently say that the bovines are taken adequate care of and are barely harmed. A look at the chilling video shows how deadly the so-called “traditional Goan sport” can be. It is sheer cruelty to animals. A few days ago an injured ran onto the road and knocked down a couple who were on a scooter. In the past a case of death during ‘dhirio’ at Seraulim was reported wherein a bull pierced its horns into its owner’s stomach. After reports of such violent consequences during the bullfights, at times, even ending in fatalities, and after watching the bone-chilling video on Facebook whether the government will still mull of ways to legalise bullfights remains to be seen.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
About time
The seizure of foreign cigarettes at the port is a good thing but I wonder what took the customs officials so long to realise that there is a hoard of illegal smuggling of cigarettes that has been happening for years now. Visit almost any of the popular shops that sell cigarettes in towns and you will find so many brands, most of which are illegal. Isn’t there an authority that checks this as well? As it is we have an issue with so many youth taking up smoking, but now with cheap cigarettes available here there is no guarantee as to the effect this will have on their lungs. Instead of arguing and fighting over what they term a destruction of their culture, perhaps the political parties need to stop this instead?
Sanjay Naik, Mapusa
Makes no sense
There is such a big hue and cry over the Def Expo, on the ground and on social media, but can we know what the real issue is? People are opposing it on the grounds that the defence forces are taking the land permanently, but there has been some people talking about this land being used only for a few days and then given back to the village. If that is the case, what is the problem? Why are we wasting time fighting over something that could benefit the state? There are many foreign companies coming down, as well as Indian companies. There will be so many people who will need to stay in the area and hence will use the hotels and restaurants for accommodation and food. Why do we oppose everything without even thinking?
Insia Mendonca, Fatorda
