Peace and harmony
It was both shocking and disturbing news to read about the assault by gunmen and bombers that killed 129 people. The Islamic State group took responsibility for the terror attacks. This violence has spread fear across the four corners of the world and it shows the communities have lost their trust in each other.
Since this issue is so vital, world leaders and the entire global community should condemn such incident which has brought untold suffering to many innocent people. Intolerance anywhere is a threat to humanism everywhere, as it would result in destruction of human lives and property. In late 1980s, then Pope John Paul II had called for an inter religion collaboration for a joint struggle against hunger, poverty ignorance, persecution, discrimination and every form of slavery of human spirit. He had then appealed to world leaders for bringing about a "Civilisation of Love"
I hope our present world leaders will unite together and work in that direction, as humanity is one big family in the world, where people should live in peace, harmony and happiness.
Melson F M Louis, Margao
Develop tourism
It was heartening to learn that Goa government is keen on revamping the tourism sector in the state. With intentions of making the historic Aguada fort a tourist attraction, converting the 17th century structure into a museum with facilities like light and sound shows and other programmes which will emblazon the valour and sacrifices of the Goan freedom fighters; one should appreciate the novelties being brought in by the think-tanks in the department to revitalize tourism in the state. Yet, one will always bemoan the fact that tourism in the state has never been tapped to its full potential.
While the vast inheritance of Portuguese culture and architecture would have been enough to showcase Goa as a blend of multiple ethnicities, the state has not had any reluctance in wantonly disowning everything that even remotely gives any inkling of the immense possibilities the region holds. There are so many tourism avenues waiting to be discovered. In 2013 plans were mooted to develop water sports in the Selaulim Dam reservoir that supplies potable and irrigation water to a major portion of Goa. But nothing much happened. Of course, the locals too have not been very open to modernization either! Two proposed marina projects promoted by MPT in the Zuari river, ostensibly to encourage high end tourism in the state, are facing stiff opposition from the affected fishermen communities of the area. Goa is not just about beaches, temples and churches, there is much more to be seen and enjoyed. It is for the government to harness the resources and showcase the state as ‘the place to be in’.
Pachu Menon, Margao
Unsocial stories
For a while now, there are people who have been spreading a lot of fake stories online. They range from pro and anti Modi stories to fake quotes by Russian president Vladimir Putin, which was exposed and seen to have been borrowed from a Hollywood movie starring Denzel Washington. Now we have a lot more stories, within Goa and outside too and social media laps it up. There must be some sense of responsibility to keep this in check and not spread rumours. In our younger days we would be told not to just listen to someone and pass the story on, back when the tinto was the hotbed of information in the village. Now, with facebook and twitter, anything can become a hot story. There is an urgent need to exercise caution.
Sanjay Naik, Mapusa
