Third front
A new regional party is expected to be launched in Goa on Republic day with the blessings of a few MLAs and with coconut as its main election plank, which will “Spell doom for the BJP” in the 2017 Assembly polls. Not far behind is the ‘Aam Aadmi’ party which, buoyed by its run-away success in the Delhi Assembly elections has decided to contest in all the 40 constituencies. The BJP it is felt, is no different from its Congress adversary , and needs to be replaced as it has failed to meet the expectations of the people of Goa and back-tracked on its promises and several important issues. However, one wonders whether issues like coconut tree and monkey declassifications are sufficient to win elections when there are other pressing issues like casinos, MOI , RP- 2021, eco-sensitive zones, mega-projects and corruption on all fronts, have till today remained unsolved by both the Congress and BJP parties. Goans, as a result have lost faith in politicians and their false promises. It will now require hard work and hectic convincing by the new aspirants if they ever cherish any hopes of forming the new govt.
A F Nazareth, Porvorim
Fake news
The ‘fake news’ about the Goa police dropping women home after 10pm, if the stranded women dial 100, made the rounds on facebook and everyone seemed to believe it, until the media brought out the truth. Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media sites and apps can be easily misused and the truth distorted or fake news circulated. Social media may be a good tool to bring people close together, but it also succeeds in creating a lot of falsehoods. People need to doublecheck facts before sharing on social media or even telling others about it. In recent events and incidents like the death of Fr Bismarque, the coconut change in status and others, social media played a big part in enabling many people to spread their own agenda instead of the facts. Something must be done to curb this.
Sanjay Naik, Mapusa
Respect women
Recently, the news regarding a dangerous game called Taharrush was reported by European media. The ‘game’, which originated in the region around Syria and Egypt, involves men crowding around and molesting women. This has been happening for centuries in the region but has now spread to Europe. This is exactly what happens when you allow thousands of ‘refugees’ to come in but don’t make it a necessity to assimilate into the cultural and social ethos of the region. The New Year’s incident at Cologne where women were molested, as men played Taharrush, should be condemned and such incidents might be investigated and the culprits seriously put to task and incarcerated. That the refugees need shelter is understandable, but we need to make them realise that ‘games’ like this are not allowed in a civilized world where society follows certain rules and norms. Even in India, there is a dire need to change the ways of many rural folk where women are looked on as inferior human beings.
Insia Mendonca, Fatorda
